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






2. A figure of speech






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






4. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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






7. Can be verified






8. (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






9. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






10. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






11. A short quotation or verse that precedes text that sets the tone or provides a setting






12. Opposing point of view






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






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






15. Not taking a position






16. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






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






20. 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'






21. Open - honest communication






22. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






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






25. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






27. Vowel rhyme






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






29. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






30. The main character - usually the hero






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






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






33. To make fun of






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






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






36. The use of parallel elements in sentences or in the structure of an essay or prose passage ie - essay consisting of 4 paragraphs - each beginning with a question followed by the answer






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






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






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






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






41. An exaggeration or overstatement






42. Essay that presents information about the causes of some known or likely outcome - how different causes contribute to the outcome






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






44. The verb and its object and modifiers






45. Verb used to express conditional or counterfactual statements - i.e. 'If I were rich'






46. 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'






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






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






49. Vague - not easily defined






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