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






2. An indirect attack or insinuation






3. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






4. 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






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






6. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






7. A narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






8. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






13. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






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






17. One of many subordinating conjunctions






18. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






20. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






22. 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






23. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






26. Not taking a position






27. Vowel rhyme






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






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






30. Understatement created through double negative






31. The main character - usually the hero






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






33. Something that is implied






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






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






36. Refined taste - tact - the ability to avoid distress or embarrassment






37. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






39. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






41. Open - honest communication






42. Words whose sounds mimic their meaning - buzz - woof






43. Lines rhymed by their final two syllables - i.e. running and gunning






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






45. The claim or point that the writer is making






46. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






48. 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'






49. Vague - not easily defined






50. One of many prepositions