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






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






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






4. Understatement created through double negative






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






6. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






8. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






9. (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






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






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






12. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






14. A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply






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






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






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






18. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






19. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. Opposing point of view






32. An exaggeration or overstatement






33. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






35. Language chosen by the writer






36. Vowel rhyme






37. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






39. 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'






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






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






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






43. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






44. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






46. The verb and its object and modifiers






47. 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






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






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






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