Test your basic knowledge |

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. To make fun of






2. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






3. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






5. The main character - usually the hero






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






7. 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






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






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






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






11. Expressly stated






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






13. A verb acting as a noun - usually 'ing' form of the verb






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. 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)






23. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






26. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






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






30. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






34. Acronym for basic elements of nonfictional text - speaker - occasion - audience - purpose - subject - tone






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






36. Consists of a single independent clause






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






38. Refers to the way the writer lets readers know what will be discussed - a framing statement gives the reader some sense of what to expect






39. That which comes before; the antecedent of a pronoun is the noun to which the pronoun refers






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






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






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






43. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






44. Quiet reflection upon a topic






45. 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






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






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






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






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






50. An exaggeration or overstatement