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






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






3. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






4. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






5. A short quotation or verse that precedes text that sets the tone or provides a setting






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






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






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






9. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






11. (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






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






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






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






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






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






17. The main character - usually the hero






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






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






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






21. Not taking a position






22. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






23. 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'






24. Opposing point of view






25. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






26. 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






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






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






29. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






31. A saying or expression that proposes to tell the truth






32. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






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






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






36. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






37. 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'






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






39. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






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






44. Expressly stated






45. To move off point






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






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






48. List of details that reinforces a concept






49. A derogatory term used to described poorly written poetry of little or no literary value






50. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence