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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. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






2. Comparison of two things that are similar in several respects in order to prove a point or clarify an idea






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






4. The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form; seeing things as they could be






5. The juxtaposition of incongruous or conflicting ideas that reveals a truth or insight






6. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






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






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






10. Short narrative of an amusing - unusual - revealing or interesting event






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






12. The opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point






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






14. A word that introduces a subordinate clause - i.e. 'Since you're awake - I'll turn on the radio'






15. One of many subordinating conjunctions






16. 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'






17. The claim or point that the writer is making






18. One of many prepositions






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






20. The verb and its object and modifiers






21. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






23. To make fun of






24. A comparison of two unlike things in order to show or more clearly or in a new way






25. An explosion of harsh language that usually vilifies or condemns an idea






26. A line of iambic hexameter; the final line of a Spenserian stanza is alexandrine






27. Neoclassical principles of drama






28. Something that is implied






29. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






31. Can be verified






32. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






34. 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'






35. Information distributed to promote a specific cause usually of a biased or misleading nature






36. 'ed' form of a verb - 'Bettina played with the children'






37. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






38. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






40. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






42. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






43. 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






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






45. 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






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






47. Refined taste - tact - the ability to avoid distress or embarrassment






48. Rarely used - the writer uses the pronoun 'you' making the reader an active participant in the work






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






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