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 pattern formed by end rhyme in a stanza or poem; indicated by the assignment of a different letter of the alphabet to each new rhyme






2. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






3. Comparison of two things that are alike in some ways






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






5. A person portrayed in a literary work






6. A long speech by a character in a literary work






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






8. A form of dramatic poetry in which a speaker addresses a silent listener






9. The literary representation of a character's free - flowing thought processes - memories - and emotions; often does not use conventional sentence structure or rules of grammar






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






11. Five feet per line of poetry






12. Writing or speech that tells a story






13. The pattern of sound created by stressed and unstressed syllable - particularly in poetry






14. A narrative in which situations and characters are invented by the author






15. A narrator who gives a faulty or distorted account of the events in a story; a child as a narrator might misinterpret someone's actions






16. A type of comedy with ridiculous characters - events - or situations






17. 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






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






19. A wise saying - usually short and to the point; similar to epigram or maxim






20. An emphasis on themes - characters - settings - and customs of a particular geographical region






21. The repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds in stressed syllables that end with different consonant sounds






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






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






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






25. Language used for descriptive effect rather than literal meaning and including at least one figure of speech (metaphor - simile - personification)






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






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






28. Four feet per line of poetry






29. Seven feet per line of poetry






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






31. A literary technique in which the author uses clues to prepare readers for events that will occur later






32. A significant word - phrase - idea - description - or other element repeated throughout a literary work and related to the theme






33. The narrator knows everything about the characters and events and reveals details that even the characters themselves could not reveal






34. Persuasive writing






35. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






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






37. Three feet per line of poetry






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






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






40. The outcome - or resolution - of the plot






41. 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






42. Conversation between characters in a literary work






43. Poetry or lines of dramatic verse written in iambic pentameter






44. A literary style in which the writer combines realistic characters - events - situations - and dialogue with elements that are magical - supernatural - or fantastic






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






46. The struggle - internal or external - between opposing forces in a work of literature






47. A sudden intuitive recognition of the essence or meaning of something






48. Type of diction; a variety of language used by people in particular geographic area






49. Eight feet per line of poetry






50. The repetition of the same stressed vowel sounds and any succeeding sounds in two or more words