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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. ... - used to indicate omission of words or letters






2. A figure of speech






3. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






4. The assigning of human attributes - such as emotions or physical characteristics - to nonhumans - usually plants or animals. Differs from personification in that it is a pattern applied to a nonhuman character throughout the entire literary work






5. A concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






6. A kind or more gentle word to dilute the meaning in order to evade responsibility for a more disturbing word - i.e. 'passed on' instead of 'died'






7. A rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable - i.e. know and snow






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






9. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






10. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






11. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






12. The metaphor forms the basis for the entire work - extends throughout the work or passage






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






14. Basically an 'either or' situation - typically a moral decision






15. Repetition of the same consonant two or more times in short succession






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






17. To move off point






18. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






19. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






21. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






22. Quiet reflection upon a topic






23. Unconjugated verb with 'to' in front of it






24. A verb acting as a noun - usually 'ing' form of the verb






25. Quality in literature that appeals to the audience's emotions






26. A derogatory term used to described poorly written poetry of little or no literary value






27. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






28. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






29. An exception to a proposed general rule






30. Not taking a position






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






32. A narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






33. A speaker directly addresses something or someone not living - that cannot answer back






34. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






37. Expressly stated






38. Essay that presents information in order of occurrence - or sequence of events






39. A reference to something in culture - history or literature that expands the depth of the text that allows the reader to make a 'connection'






40. Can be verified






41. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






43. Essay that presents information about a problem followed by a description of one or more solutions






44. A type of literature that exposes idiocy - corruption - or other human folly - through humor - exaggeration - irony






45. 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'






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






47. To write around a subject - evasively - say nothing






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






49. Main idea of an essay - what the writer hope to prove is true






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