Test your basic knowledge |

CSET English Reading Understanding Text

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The narrator knows everything about the characters and events and reveals details that even the characters themselves could not reveal






2. Type of diction; expressions usually accepted in informal situations






3. Persuasive writing






4. The methods - direct and indirect - used by a writer to reveal a character's personality






5. The flaw that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero; the word comes from the Greek word hybris meaning 'excessive pride'






6. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another that is related (ex: the crown=the king of a country)






7. A quotation from another work that suggests the main idea - or theme - of the work at hand






8. One foot per line of poetry






9. A break or pause (usually for sense) in the middle of a verse line - marked in prosody by a double vertical line (||)






10. A literary device in which the author interrupts the chronological order of a narrative to show something that happened in the past






11. A literary work in which all or most of the characters - events and setting stand for ideas or generalization about life; have a moral or lesson






12. The use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound it describes






13. Type of diction; informal language used by a particular group among themselves






14. Conversation between characters in a literary work






15. Verse that contains an irregular metrical pattern and line length; also called vers libre






16. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character






17. Seven feet per line of poetry






18. The recurrence of sounds - words - phrases - lines - or stanzas in a literary work or speech






19. The central understanding about life as expressed in a work of literature; may be stated or expressed directly; usually implied or revealed gradually through events - dialogue - and outcome






20. Poetry in which characters are revealed through dialogue - monologue - and description






21. The repetition of final consonant sounds in words containing different vowels (ex: fresh cash - yard bird)






22. The larger - than - life central character in an epic (a long narrative poem about events of crucial importance to the history of a culture/nation)






23. A rhythmical pattern in verse that is made up of stressed and unstressed syllables






24. A pair of rhymed lines in iambic pentameter that work together to make a point or express an idea






25. The suggested or implied meaning associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition; can be positive - neutral - or negative






26. A story intended to be performed before an audience by actors on a stage






27. A type of pun - or play on words - that results when the speaker gets two words mixed up (ex: We watched the flamingo dancers all day)






28. A specific kind of figurative language such as - simile - personification - metaphor - or hyperbole






29. A stanza made up of two rhyming lines that follow the same rhythmic pattern






30. The time and place in which the events of a literary work occur






31. A word or phrase that is so overused that it has lost its expressive power






32. A philosophy that values human freedom and personal responsibility. Writers include: Jean - Paul Sartre - Kierkegaard - Camus - Nietzsche - Franz Kafka - and Simon de Beauvoir






33. The chief character in a literary work - usually one with admirable qualities






34. A statement or situation that seems to be contradictory but actually makes sense (ex: the more I learn - the less I know)






35. Type of diction; old fashioned words no longer in common use






36. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






37. The reader or the playgoer has information unknown to characters in the play






38. Type of diction; language widely considered crude - disgusting - and offensive






39. Rhyme that occurs within a line of verse






40. A literary movement and philosophical attitude important during the mid -19th century in New England; emphasized reliance on intuition and conscience - focused on protesting materialism and Puritan ethic. Hallmarks of the movement: individualism - fr






41. A category or type of literature - defined by its style - form - and content (ex: poetry - drama - fiction - and nonfiction)






42. Repetition of initial consonant sounds in words; used as musical device






43. A lesson about right and wrong conduct taught in a fable or parable






44. Reference to a well - known person - place - or situation from history/art/music/work of literature






45. A metrical foot; /_ (stressed - unstressed)






46. Reversal of the usual word order for variety or emphasis (ex:A girl with a hat/In a dream I saw)






47. Type of diction; language that shows disrespect for others or something sacred






48. The sequence of events in a short story - novel - or drama






49. A short saying that expresses a general ruth or gives practical advice - usually about behavior and morality; similar to adage or aphorism






50. A metrical foot; /_ _ (stressed - unstressed - unstressed)