100+ Free CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Practice Questions

Pass your CSET California Subject Examinations for Teachers: English (Subtest I 105 and Subtest II 106) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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The phenomenon in which a child overgeneralizes a grammatical rule and says 'goed' instead of 'went' is evidence that the child is:

Permanently confused about all past-tense forms

Imitating an adult speaker exactly

Memorizing each verb form individually with no rule learning

Internalizing and applying productive grammatical rules

to track

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ArticleFREE CSET Exam Guide 2026: California Teacher Subject Prep6 min read

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Exam

4 subtests

CSET English structure (105, 106, 107, 108)

Official CSET English test structure page

50 MC

Multiple-choice questions on each of Subtests I and II

Official CSET English test page

220

Scaled passing score required on each subtest

Official CSET score-report guidance

1h 30m / 1h

Time limit for Subtest I (105) and Subtest II (106)

Official CSET English test page

$72

Fee per CSET English subtest

Official CSET fee table

~40 of 50

Subtest I questions on Reading Literature and Informational Texts

Official CSET English Subtest I domain distribution

3 competencies

Subtest II areas: language structures, acquisition/literacy, English grammar

Official CSET English Subtest II objectives

2026

Alternative subject-matter-competence pathways still active

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing guidance

For 2026 planning, CSET English has four separately scored subtests. Subtest I (105) is 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 30 minutes, split between Reading Literature and Informational Texts (about 40 questions) and Composition and Rhetoric (about 10 questions). Subtest II (106) is 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour on Language, Linguistics, and Literacy. Subtests III (107) and IV (108) are constructed-response. Current official pages list a 220 scaled passing score per subtest and a fee of $72 per subtest. California also allows alternative subject-matter-competence pathways, so verify whether you need CSET English before registering.

Sample CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a Shakespearean sonnet, the rhyming couplet at the end most commonly serves what structural function?

A.Introduces the central conflict of the poem

B.Provides a turn or summary that resolves or comments on the preceding twelve lines

C.Establishes the iambic pentameter pattern for the first time

D.Lists the speaker's objections to the addressee

Explanation: A Shakespearean (English) sonnet runs three quatrains plus a closing couplet. The couplet typically delivers a volta or summarizing comment that resolves or reframes the argument developed in the quatrains. This structural payoff is a defining feature CSET English Subtest I tests under craft and structure.

2Which term best describes the deliberate repetition of initial consonant sounds in a line such as 'the fair breeze blew, the white foam flew'?

A.Assonance

B.Consonance

C.Alliteration

D.Onomatopoeia

Explanation: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words ('breeze blew,' 'foam flew'). It is a sound device CSET English candidates must distinguish from related figures of sound.

3A reader analyzing point of view notices the narrator knows the private thoughts of every character. Which narrative perspective is being used?

A.First-person limited

B.Third-person objective

C.Third-person omniscient

D.Second-person

Explanation: A third-person omniscient narrator stands outside the story and can report the inner thoughts and feelings of any character. Recognizing narrative perspective is part of analyzing craft and structure in literature on Subtest I.

4Which of the following best characterizes the literary movement of American Transcendentalism associated with Emerson and Thoreau?

A.Emphasis on the inherent goodness of individuals and nature, and on intuition over established institutions

B.Strict adherence to neoclassical rules of order, balance, and reason

C.Focus on industrial realism and the gritty conditions of urban labor

D.Rejection of any spiritual dimension in favor of pure scientific materialism

Explanation: Transcendentalism, centered on Emerson and Thoreau in the 1830s-1850s, celebrated individual intuition, self-reliance, and the spiritual unity of humanity with nature, distrusting conformity to institutions. This American literary period is part of the literary-history knowledge tested on Subtest I.

5In rhetorical analysis, an appeal that relies on the speaker's credibility, character, and trustworthiness is known as which mode of persuasion?

A.Logos

B.Pathos

C.Ethos

D.Kairos

Explanation: Ethos is the Aristotelian appeal based on the speaker's credibility and character. Distinguishing the rhetorical appeals is central to the rhetoric strand within Composition and Rhetoric on Subtest I.

6A student's essay states a debatable claim, supports it with reasons and evidence, and addresses opposing views. Which text type does this represent?

A.Narrative writing

B.Argumentative writing

C.Expository description

D.Personal reflection

Explanation: Argumentative writing advances a debatable claim supported by reasons and evidence and acknowledges counterclaims. CSET English Subtest I assesses knowledge of text types and purposes within Composition and Rhetoric.

7Which revision strategy most directly improves the COHERENCE of a paragraph?

A.Replacing every simple sentence with a compound-complex sentence

B.Adding transitional words and arranging ideas in a logical order

C.Increasing the overall word count to meet a length requirement

D.Inserting additional adjectives before each noun

Explanation: Coherence is created when ideas connect logically, often through transitions and purposeful ordering of sentences. Production and revision of writing is part of the Composition and Rhetoric domain on Subtest I.

8When evaluating the reliability of a source for a research paper, which factor is MOST important?

A.The length of the document

B.The author's expertise, the publisher's reputation, and the currency of the information

C.Whether the source agrees with the writer's existing opinion

D.The number of images included in the source

Explanation: Source reliability rests on author credentials, publisher reputation, and how current and accurate the information is. Research to build and present knowledge is part of the Composition and Rhetoric domain on Subtest I.

9Text complexity is commonly measured along three dimensions. Which set correctly names them?

A.Length, vocabulary size, and number of paragraphs

B.Quantitative measures, qualitative measures, and reader-and-task considerations

C.Genre, author popularity, and publication date

D.Font size, page count, and illustration density

Explanation: The standard model evaluates text complexity through quantitative measures (such as readability formulas), qualitative measures (such as levels of meaning and structure), and reader-and-task considerations. This framework appears in the text-complexity strand of Subtest I.

10A passage from a memoir describes a childhood event using vivid sensory detail and the first-person voice. Which genre classification is most accurate?

A.Literary nonfiction

B.Fiction

C.Drama

D.Lyric poetry

Explanation: A memoir is literary nonfiction: it presents real personal experience using literary techniques such as sensory imagery and reflective voice. Classifying informational and literary genres is assessed on Subtest I.

About the CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Exam

CSET English is the California subject-matter exam used to qualify for a Single Subject English teaching credential. It comprises four separately scored subtests; Subtest I (105) and Subtest II (106) are the multiple-choice subtests covering reading and composition, and language, linguistics, and literacy, respectively.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Subtest I (105): 1h 30m; Subtest II (106): 1h

Passing Score

220 scaled on each subtest

Exam Fee

$72 per subtest (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing / Pearson Evaluation Systems)

CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Exam Content Outline

~40 MC (Subtest I / 105)

Reading Literature and Informational Texts

Reading literature and analyzing craft and structure across American, British, world, and multicultural texts; reading informational texts; integration of knowledge and ideas; and evaluating text complexity.

~10 MC (Subtest I / 105)

Composition and Rhetoric

Individual and collaborative writing processes, text types and purposes, production and distribution of writing, conventions of written language, rhetorical appeals, and research to build and present knowledge.

50 MC (Subtest II / 106)

Language, Linguistics, and Literacy

Human language structures including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics; acquisition and development of language and literacy; and grammatical structures of English.

How to Pass the CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 220 scaled on each subtest
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Subtest I (105): 1h 30m; Subtest II (106): 1h
Exam fee: $72 per subtest

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CSET English (Subtests I 105 & II 106) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study by subtest: 105 for literature and rhetoric, 106 for language, linguistics, and literacy, since they are scored separately

2For Subtest I, review major American, British, world, and multicultural movements and authors, plus craft terms like meter, irony, and point of view

3Allocate most Subtest I review to reading because about 40 of 50 questions assess literature and informational text analysis

4For Subtest II, master the core linguistics layers: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, with clear examples of each

5Practice grammar precisely: clause types, subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, modifiers, and punctuation conventions are heavily tested on 106

6Connect language-acquisition theory to classroom practice, including Krashen's input hypothesis, interlanguage, and scaffolding for English learners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CSET English exam?

CSET English is the California subject-matter assessment used to qualify for a Single Subject English teaching credential. It is made up of four separately scored subtests: Subtest I (105) and Subtest II (106) are multiple-choice, while Subtest III (107) and Subtest IV (108) use constructed responses.

How many questions are on CSET English Subtests I and II?

Subtest I (105) has 50 multiple-choice questions divided between Reading Literature and Informational Texts (about 40) and Composition and Rhetoric (about 10). Subtest II (106) has 50 multiple-choice questions on Language, Linguistics, and Literacy.

What passing score do I need for CSET English?

The official passing standard is a scaled score of 220 on each subtest. Because the four subtests are scored separately, you must reach 220 on each one to demonstrate full subject-matter competence in English.

How long do I have for each multiple-choice subtest?

Subtest I (105) allows 1 hour and 30 minutes for its 50 multiple-choice questions, and Subtest II (106) allows 1 hour for its 50 multiple-choice questions. Subtests III and IV have their own separate time limits for written responses.

How much does CSET English cost in 2026?

The current official fee is $72 for each CSET English subtest, so taking all four subtests costs about $288 plus any applicable scheduling fees. Always confirm the fee in your registration cart before checkout.

Do I still need CSET English to show subject-matter competence?

Not always. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing continues to recognize alternative pathways, such as completing an approved English subject-matter program or qualifying coursework, that can satisfy subject-matter competence. Verify your specific credential route before paying for the exam.