John Allen - CSET English Subtests I-IV Book + Online

Research & Education Association

61 Ethel Road West

Piscataway, New Jersey 08854

E-mail:

CSET: English Subtests IIV with Online Practice Exams

Copyright 2016 by Research & Education Association, Inc.

Prior edition copyright 2008 by Research & Education Association, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number 2015954505

ISBN-13: 978-0-7386-1202-7

ISBN-10: 0-7386-1202-2

The content specifications for the CSET: English Test were created and implemented by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in conjunction with Pearson Education, Inc. For further information visit the CSET website at www.cset.nesinc.com. For all references in this book, CSET and California Subject Examinations for Teachers are trademarks of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliate(s), which have not reviewed or endorsed this book.

All other trademarks cited in this publication are the property of their respective owners.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: Publication of this work is for the purpose of test preparation and related use and subjects as set forth herein. While every effort has been made to achieve a work of high quality, neither Research & Education Association, Inc., nor the authors and other contributors of this work guarantee the accuracy or completeness of or assume any liability in connection with the information and opinions contained herein. REA and the authors and other contributors shall in no event be liable for any personal injury, property or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use or reliance upon this work.

Cover image: istockphoto.com/monkeybusinessimages

CSET ENGLISH SUBTESTS I-IV

Access your Online Tools

by following the instructions

found at the back of this book.

Preface

As teachers, or aspiring teachers at least, we all know that the best and only way to improve performance on a test is to prepare for it. John Allen and the test prep experts at REA have provided all the resources necessary to prepare for the CSET: English exam. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to take the test, and it provides all the tools you will need to do well.

I have counseled hundreds of students who were preparing to take all kinds of tests, and with every student my advice is always the same. First, get a sense of the content and format of the testthat is, learn what subjects and skills you will be tested on and how you will be tested. Second, take a practice test to determine where you stand on various sections of the test. Then isolate and focus on those sections that need work. This is exactly what REAs test prep allows you to do.

This third edition is completely updated to align with the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, upon which the CSET: English is based. REAs test prep contains a detailed analysis of both the format and content of the CSET: English Subtests I through IV. It also includes subject reviews on all the topics covered by the examAmerican literature, literary criticism, the writing process, linguistics, media, dramatic performance, and more.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the REA study system is its adaptability. The book includes two full-length practice tests, presented in the same style as the CSET: English exam itself. Furthermore, these two practice exams are also offered online in a format that allows for instant scoring and diagnostic feedback that lets you target areas of weakness and focus on topics where you need more review. The essay questions for Subtests III and IV include sample answers of varying quality, so that you can get a sense of how your responses will be scored.

Our country and our world can only benefit by having more good educators. I salute you and the noble impulse that brought you to pursue a career in education. It has been an honor for me to be involved with the third edition of this work.

Best of luck to you in your teaching career!

J. Wayne Bass, Ph.D.

Professor of Humanities

San Diego City College

San Diego, California

About REA

Founded in 1959, Research & Education Association (REA) is dedicated to publishing the finest and most effective educational materialsincluding study guides and test prepsfor students in middle school, high school, college, graduate school, and beyond.

Today, REAs wide-ranging catalog is a leading resource for students, teachers, and other professionals. Visit www.rea.com to see a complete listing of all our titles.

About Our Author

John Allen has more than 25 years of experience in test preparation. Mr. Allen received his B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1979. He has written several textbooks in the field of English-language arts and in many other subject areas.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank REAs Larry B. Kling, Vice President, Editorial, for supervising development; Pam Weston, Publisher, for setting the quality standards for production integrity and managing the publication to completion; John Paul Cording, Vice President, Technology, for coordinating the design and development of the REA Study Center; Kelli A. Wilkins, Senior Editor, for project management; Eve Grinnell, Graphic Artist, for cover design; Ellen Gong for proofreading; and TCS for typesetting the manuscript.

CONTENTS

REVIEW FOR SUBTEST IV:
Communications: Speech, Media, and Creative Performance

)

)

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

PASSING THE CSET: ENGLISH TEST

Congratulations! By taking the CSET: English test, youre on your way to a rewarding career as an English teacher. Our book, and the online tools that come with it, give you everything you need to succeed on this important exam, bringing you one step closer to being certified to teach English in California.

Recently, the CSET: English subtests were revised to align more closely with the California Common Core State Standards. The subtests also include new material in the areas of writing across the curriculum, reading and analyzing a variety of informational texts, and analyzing the details of dramatic works and performance. Our CSET: English test prep package has been expanded to address these changes. The package includes:

A complete overview of the four CSET: English subtests

A comprehensive review of every domain, with updated material

Two full-length practice tests for each subtest, with online diagnostic tools to help you personalize your study

There are many different ways to prepare for the CSET: English exam. The method that is best for you depends on how much time you have to study and how familiar you are with the subject matter. To achieve the highest score possible, you need a study system customized to fit you: your schedule, your learning style, and your current level of knowledge. This book and its accompanying online practice tests provide the tools that allow you to customize your study and will get you ready to pass the exam!