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 sudden intuitive recognition of the essence or meaning of something






2. Persuasive writing






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






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






5. A narrative song or poem






6. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






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






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






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






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






11. Eight feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






17. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






18. A feeling of curiosity or dread about what will happen next in a story






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






20. Verse that tells a story






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. One foot per line of poetry






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






29. The assignment/application of human characteristics to animals - inanimate object - or gods (ex: Sponge Bob - Bugs Bunny)






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






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






32. 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)






33. 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






34. Short narrative about an interesting event - often used to make a point






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






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






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






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






39. 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






40. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






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






42. The use of a series of words - phrases - or sentences that have similar grammatical form






43. Writing or speech that tells a story






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






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






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






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






48. The basic unit in the measurement of a line of metrical poetry; usually has one stressed syllable and one or more unstressed syllable;






49. A figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent person - inanimate object or idea






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