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






2. A negative statement






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






11. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






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






13. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






15. Vowel rhyme






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






17. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






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






20. Understatement created through double negative






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






22. Can be verified






23. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






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






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






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






29. Vague - not easily defined






30. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






31. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






34. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






35. 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'






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






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






38. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






41. 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)






42. Quiet reflection upon a topic






43. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






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






47. Consists or two or more simple sentences joined by a common and coordinating conjunction - or by a semicolon






48. To make fun of






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






50. Open - honest communication