These questions are about ranks & rates in general and the specific terms that are used to verbally describe the different ranks & rates.
Study this set after learning to visually recognize & identify the ranks/rates. Then the set will give terms for the different parts of the insignias, which will help you to be able to verbally describe the insignias (the next set).
Most of the information for this set came from Ch 4 of the Navy Uniform Regulations manual, found at this URL: http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter4/chapter_4sec1.htm
Another source for information for this set is from this URL: http://united-states-navy.com/navy/ranksrates.htm