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. 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)






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






3. The literal - or dictionary - meaning of a word






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






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






6. A figure of speech that uses the word 'like' or 'as' to compare two unlike things






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






8. 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






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






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






11. The central character in a literary work - around whom the action revolves






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






13. Six feet per line of poetry






14. Verse that tells a story






15. The use of a word or phrase to mean the exact opposite of its literal or expected meaning.






16. The outcome - or resolution - of the plot






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






18. The person who tells a story; may be a part of the story or an outside observer






19. Seven feet per line of poetry






20. Occurs when words include sounds that are similar but not identical (ex: tone and gone)






21. Persuasive writing






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






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






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






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






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






27. Rhyme that occurs within a line of verse






28. 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)






29. A short - witty verse or saying; similar to aphorism or maxim






30. An interruption in the chronological sequence of a narrative to leap forward in time






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






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






33. The feeling a literary work evokes in a reader - such as sadness - peace - or joy






34. A person - place - thing - or event used to represent something else (ex: scarlet 'A' representing the sin of adultery)






35. The perspective from which a story is told






36. A metrical foot; // (stressed - stressed)






37. 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)






38. The author's attitude toward his/her subject matter or audience; expressed through diction - punctuation - syntax - and figures of speech; (ex: humorous - serious - formal - distant - friendly)






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






40. Four feet per line of poetry






41. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






42. In drama - a long speech given by a character who is alone on stage; reveals the inner thoughts and emotions of that character






43. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






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






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






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






47. Five feet per line of poetry






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






49. A narrative song or poem






50. Three feet per line of poetry