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






2. 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






3. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






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






5. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






6. A comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






7. Opposing point of view






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






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






10. Neoclassical principles of drama






11. A negative statement






12. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






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






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






17. The verb and its object and modifiers






18. Reasoning by which a general statement is reached on the basis of particular examples






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






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






21. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






22. 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'






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






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






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






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






27. To move off point






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






29. One of many prepositions






30. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






31. Expressly stated






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






33. Can be verified






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






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






36. 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






37. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. Not taking a position






45. The commentator does not mean what she writes






46. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






49. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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