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






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






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






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






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






6. Conversation between characters in a literary work






7. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






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






9. Rhyming that occurs within a single line






10. One foot per line of poetry






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






12. A brief statement commemorating a dead person - often inscribed on a gravestone






13. 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






14. An occurrence is the opposite of what was expected






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






16. 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






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






18. A person or force working against the protagonist - or central character - in a literary work






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






20. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. A story intended to be performed before an audience by actors on a stage






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






35. Five feet per line of poetry






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






37. 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)






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






39. Six feet per line of poetry






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






41. 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)






42. A literary technique that records a character's memories - opinions - and emotions






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






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






45. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






46. Writing or speech that tells a story






47. Type of diction; old fashioned words no longer in common use






48. Eight feet per line of poetry






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






50. The perspective from which a story is told