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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. Open - honest communication






2. To move off point






3. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






4. To make fun of






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






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






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






8. Short narrative of an amusing - unusual - revealing or interesting event






9. List of details that reinforces a concept






10. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






13. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






15. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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






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






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






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






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






29. 'ed' form of a verb - 'Bettina played with the children'






30. A phrase that refers to a person or object by single important feature of that person or object






31. Expressly stated






32. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






33. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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. The claim or point that the writer is making






37. The main character who opposes the protagonist - usually the villain






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






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






40. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






42. An indirect attack or insinuation






43. (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






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






45. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






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






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






48. Language chosen by the writer






49. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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