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CSET English Reading Understanding Text

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • 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. Comparison of two things that are alike in some ways






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






3. The use of words to create pictures in the reader's mind






4. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






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






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






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






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






9. The repetition of a line or phrase in a poem at regular intervals - usually at the end of each stanza






10. A concluding statement or section added to a work of literature






11. Type of diction; specialized language used in a particular profession or content area






12. A question to which no answer is expected or the answer is obvious






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






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






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






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






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






18. The point of highest emotional intensity or suspense in a literary work






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






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






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






22. The outcome - or resolution - of the plot






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






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






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






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






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






28. Conversation between characters in a literary work






29. 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)






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






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






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. An occurrence is the opposite of what was expected






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






35. A figure of speech in which a comparison in implied but not stated (ex: The snow was a white blanket)






36. A symbol - image - plot pattern - or character type that occurs often in literature - such as the hero on a dangerous quest






37. The continuation of a sentence from one line of a poem to another to complete meaning and grammatical structure (aka - a run - on)






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






39. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






40. Seven feet per line of poetry






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






42. Two feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. An introductory section of a play - speech - or other literary work






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