Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






3. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






5. 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






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






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






8. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






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






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






13. Vowel rhyme






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






15. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






18. A figure of speech






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






20. 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






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






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






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






24. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






25. Consists or two or more simple sentences joined by a common and coordinating conjunction - or by a semicolon






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






27. Understatement created through double negative






28. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






29. The work is narrated by the person 'I' - who can also be the protagonist - omniscient speaker. There can be multiple narrators of the same work






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






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






32. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






33. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






35. Opposing point of view






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






37. A phrase or saying that has two meanings - one being sexual or provocative in nature






38. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






39. The main character - usually the hero






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






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






42. 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'






43. Essay that presents information about two or more things - events - or ideas in order to compare them






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






45. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






46. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






47. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






49. Something that is implied






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