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






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






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






4. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






5. The main character - usually the hero






6. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






9. To make fun of






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






11. Refers to the way the writer lets readers know what will be discussed - a framing statement gives the reader some sense of what to expect






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






13. Helping verb (often be - have - or do) - i.e. 'I am working on it'






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






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






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






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






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






19. Vague - not easily defined






20. Can be verified






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






22. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






23. An example that is particularly apt for the situation at hand






24. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






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






28. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






30. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






32. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






33. Vowel rhyme






34. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






36. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






39. A negative statement






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






41. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






42. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






45. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






46. Open - honest communication






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






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






49. Understatement created through double negative






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