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






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






3. Expressly stated






4. Third person narrator sees and knows all without constraints of time - space. Can digress into contemplative or philosophical forays - often voicing the viewpoint of the author (mostly found in fiction)






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






6. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






8. A word that introduces a subordinate clause - i.e. 'Since you're awake - I'll turn on the radio'






9. 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






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






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






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






13. The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form; seeing things as they could be






14. 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'






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






16. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






19. The perspective from which a story is written






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 make fun of






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






23. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






24. 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






25. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






27. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






28. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






29. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






32. The speaker - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






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






34. A negative statement






35. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






38. An indirect attack or insinuation






39. To move off point






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






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






42. One of many conjunctive adverbs






43. 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






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






45. To give human attributes or qualities to something nonliving or nonhuman






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






47. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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