CSET Subtest 1 Reading, Language,
and Literature Exam-Graded A
onset and rime - ANSWER-parts of spoken language that are smaller than syllables but
larger than phonemics
phoneme - ANSWER-the smallest part of SPOKEN language
grapheme - ANSWER-the smallest part of WRITTEN language
phonics - ANSWER-the fairly predictable relationship between phonemes and
graphemes
subordinate clause - ANSWER-another term for a dependent clause
relative clause - ANSWER-dependent clauses that begin with a pronoun like of which,
that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose
linking verbs - ANSWER-connect the subject to the words that describe it
dangling modifiers - ANSWER-appear to modify words in a way that doesn't make
sense
parallelism - ANSWER-helps the reader follow a passage more clearly when two or
more ideas are connected
diction - ANSWER-choosing and using appropriate words, conveys a thought clearly
without unnecessary words
colloquialism - ANSWER-words used frequently in spoken language that are not
accepted in formal writing
homonyms - ANSWER-words that sound alike but have different meanings
tone - ANSWER-the author's attitude as reflected in a passage
ad hominem - ANSWER-arguing against a person to discredit their position, rather than
an argument against the position itself
ad populum - ANSWER-an argument that appeals to the emotions of a person
, bandwagon argument - ANSWER-arguing for a position because of its popularity
begging the question argument - ANSWER-assuming that an argument, or part of an
argument, is true without providing proof
circular logic argument - ANSWER-using a statement of a position to argue in favor of
that same position
either/or argument - ANSWER-stating that the conclusion falls into one of two extremes,
when there are more intermediate choices
faulty analogy - ANSWER-using an analogy as an argument when the analogy does not
match the situation under discussion
non sequitur - ANSWER-a conclusion that does not logically follow from the facts
post hoc, ergo propter hoc - ANSWER-falsely stating that one event following another is
caused by the first event (faulty cause and effect)
red herring - ANSWER-an irrelevant point, diverting attention from the position under
discussion
allegory - ANSWER-expression in which the characters, story, and setting actually
represent other people, settings, or abstract ideas (Aesop's Fables, parables, Gulliver's
Travels)
alliteration - ANSWER-the repetition of an initial consonant in nearby words
connotation - ANSWER-the secondary meaning that a word represents
couplet - ANSWER-two successive poetic lines that form a single unit because they
rhyme
denotation - ANSWER-actual meaning of a word
essay - ANSWER-a fairly brief work that tries to get across a particular point of view or
to persuade the reader
euphemism - ANSWER-a figure of speech in which an inoffensive term is substituted for
one that may be offensive or cause distress (ex. pass away for die, or indisposed for ill)
hyperbole - ANSWER-figure of speech in which a drastic overstatement or
understatement is used
metaphor - ANSWER-figure of speech in which one thing is discussed as though it were
something else
and Literature Exam-Graded A
onset and rime - ANSWER-parts of spoken language that are smaller than syllables but
larger than phonemics
phoneme - ANSWER-the smallest part of SPOKEN language
grapheme - ANSWER-the smallest part of WRITTEN language
phonics - ANSWER-the fairly predictable relationship between phonemes and
graphemes
subordinate clause - ANSWER-another term for a dependent clause
relative clause - ANSWER-dependent clauses that begin with a pronoun like of which,
that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose
linking verbs - ANSWER-connect the subject to the words that describe it
dangling modifiers - ANSWER-appear to modify words in a way that doesn't make
sense
parallelism - ANSWER-helps the reader follow a passage more clearly when two or
more ideas are connected
diction - ANSWER-choosing and using appropriate words, conveys a thought clearly
without unnecessary words
colloquialism - ANSWER-words used frequently in spoken language that are not
accepted in formal writing
homonyms - ANSWER-words that sound alike but have different meanings
tone - ANSWER-the author's attitude as reflected in a passage
ad hominem - ANSWER-arguing against a person to discredit their position, rather than
an argument against the position itself
ad populum - ANSWER-an argument that appeals to the emotions of a person
, bandwagon argument - ANSWER-arguing for a position because of its popularity
begging the question argument - ANSWER-assuming that an argument, or part of an
argument, is true without providing proof
circular logic argument - ANSWER-using a statement of a position to argue in favor of
that same position
either/or argument - ANSWER-stating that the conclusion falls into one of two extremes,
when there are more intermediate choices
faulty analogy - ANSWER-using an analogy as an argument when the analogy does not
match the situation under discussion
non sequitur - ANSWER-a conclusion that does not logically follow from the facts
post hoc, ergo propter hoc - ANSWER-falsely stating that one event following another is
caused by the first event (faulty cause and effect)
red herring - ANSWER-an irrelevant point, diverting attention from the position under
discussion
allegory - ANSWER-expression in which the characters, story, and setting actually
represent other people, settings, or abstract ideas (Aesop's Fables, parables, Gulliver's
Travels)
alliteration - ANSWER-the repetition of an initial consonant in nearby words
connotation - ANSWER-the secondary meaning that a word represents
couplet - ANSWER-two successive poetic lines that form a single unit because they
rhyme
denotation - ANSWER-actual meaning of a word
essay - ANSWER-a fairly brief work that tries to get across a particular point of view or
to persuade the reader
euphemism - ANSWER-a figure of speech in which an inoffensive term is substituted for
one that may be offensive or cause distress (ex. pass away for die, or indisposed for ill)
hyperbole - ANSWER-figure of speech in which a drastic overstatement or
understatement is used
metaphor - ANSWER-figure of speech in which one thing is discussed as though it were
something else
