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






2. The main character - usually the hero






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






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






5. 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






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






7. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






8. Imagined - even while it may possess truthful elements - it cannot be verified






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






10. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






12. Something that is implied






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






14. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






23. Language that is not meant to be taken literally - such as metaphor - simile - personification - metonymy






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






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






26. Language chosen by the writer






27. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






29. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






30. An exaggeration or overstatement






31. A comparison of two unlike things in order to show or more clearly or in a new way






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






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






34. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






36. (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






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






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






39. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






41. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






44. Can be verified






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






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






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






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






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






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