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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. Quiet reflection upon a topic






2. Essay pattern in which the writer shows the immediate and underlying causes that led to an event or situation






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






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






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






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






7. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






8. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






10. (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






11. List of details that reinforces a concept






12. Vague - not easily defined






13. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






15. Expressly stated






16. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






18. A figure of speech






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






20. Understatement created through double negative






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






22. Not taking a position






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






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






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






26. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






29. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. A saying or expression that proposes to tell the truth






37. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






39. Condemn by seeming to offer praise - ie 'well - I could not have done better myself'






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






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






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






43. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






44. 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'






45. Example - this white wine goes well with this fish






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






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






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






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






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