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 point of view/perspective of a story when it is told by someone who stands outside the story






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






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






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






5. Rhyme that occurs within a line of verse






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






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






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






9. Five feet per line of poetry






10. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






11. 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






12. 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)






13. Four feet per line of poetry






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






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






16. Persuasive writing






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






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






19. A figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole or a whole is used for its parts (ex: All hands on deck)






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






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






22. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






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






32. 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






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






34. A movement in early twentieth - century (1900s) poetry - which regarded the image as the essence of poetry






35. Verse that tells a story






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






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






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






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






40. Conversation between characters in a literary work






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






42. The perspective from which a story is told






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






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






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






46. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






47. Eight feet per line of poetry






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






49. A figure of speech in which opposite ideas are combined (ex: wise fool)






50. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis