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CLEP College Composition

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. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






2. A comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






3. Essay pattern in which the writer shows the immediate and underlying causes that led to an event or situation






4. The commentator does not mean what she writes






5. A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply






6. To make fun of






7. Consists of a single independent clause






8. Referring to phrases that suggest an interplay of the senses - ie 'hot pink' or 'golden voice'






9. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






10. A saying or expression that proposes to tell the truth






11. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






12. Can be verified






13. Opposing point of view






14. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






15. A preference or inclination - especially one that inhibits impartial judgment






16. A variety of literary devices i.e. - anaphora - repeating






17. To move off point






18. Condemn by seeming to offer praise - ie 'well - I could not have done better myself'






19. A figure of speech






20. An event or experience that causes disappointment because it is less exciting than what was expected






21. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






22. A phrase or saying that has two meanings - one being sexual or provocative in nature






23. The work is narrated using a name or third person pronoun ie - he - she - etc.






24. The claim or point that the writer is making






25. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






26. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






27. Essay that presents information in order of specificity - beginning with a general theme and focuses on a specific topic of interest - often the 5 paragraph essay






28. Essay that presents information in order of importance - either most important to least important or vice versa






29. A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure - i.e. 'to err is human; to forgive - divine'






30. The verb and its object and modifiers






31. A phrase that refers to a person or object by a single important feature - ie 'the pen is mightier than the sword'






32. (1) a short poetic nickname; (2) a term used to describe the name or title of a person -ie 'The Great Emancipator' for Abraham Lincoln; (3) an abusive slur






33. Acronym for basic elements of nonfictional text - speaker - occasion - audience - purpose - subject - tone






34. A phrase that refers to a person or object by single important feature of that person or object






35. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






36. Understatement created through double negative






37. That which comes before; the antecedent of a pronoun is the noun to which the pronoun refers






38. The order of words in a sentence - also the types and structures of sentences






39. Essay that presents information about two or more things - events - or ideas in order to compare them






40. A figure of speech in which two contradictory elements are combined for effect - i.e. 'random order'






41. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






42. Not taking a position






43. A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting






44. Verb in present tense - 'Bettina plays with children'






45. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






46. Something that is implied






47. The pause that breaks a line of Old English verse






48. A type of poem that takes the form of a lament for the dead sung by a shepherd






49. Knowledge based on experience or observation - the view that experience - especially of the senses - is the only source of knowledge






50. A thing - idea - or person that stands for something else