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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. 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






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






3. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






4. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






5. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






6. The claim or point that the writer is making






7. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






8. Open - honest communication






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






10. A figure of speech






11. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






12. An attack on an opposing view to weaken - invalidate - or make it less credible






13. Something that is implied






14. Words that mean the opposite of their literal meaning - i.e. 'how wonderful that you wrecked your car!'






15. The main character who opposes the protagonist - usually the villain






16. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






17. (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






18. A verb used for issuing commands - 'Do it now!'






19. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






20. To move off point






21. Third-person narrator tells another's story using third-person pronouns






22. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






23. 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






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






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






26. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






27. 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'






28. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






29. Language chosen by the writer






30. Saying less than is warranted by the situation in order to emphasize reality






31. One of many conjunctive adverbs






32. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






34. A formula of deductive argument that consists of 3 propositions - the major premise - minor premise - and conclusion






35. Lines rhymed by their final two syllables - i.e. running and gunning






36. A negative statement






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






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






39. Words whose sounds mimic their meaning - buzz - woof






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






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






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






43. Imagined - even while it may possess truthful elements - it cannot be verified






44. The perspective from which a story is written






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






46. A group of words acting as a noun - i.e. 'Playing the guitar is extremely difficult'






47. To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences






48. Clever use of language to amuse the reader - but more to make a point






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






50. Reasoning by which a general statement is reached on the basis of particular examples