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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. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






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






6. ... - used to indicate omission of words or letters






7. An example that is particularly apt for the situation at hand






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






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






10. One of many prepositions






11. Vague - not easily defined






12. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






14. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






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






18. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






20. A type of poem that takes the form of a lament for the dead sung by a shepherd






21. To make fun of






22. Abab cdcd efef gg






23. A negative statement






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






31. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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






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






35. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






36. The metaphor forms the basis for the entire work - extends throughout the work or passage






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






38. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






39. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






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






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






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






46. Information distributed to promote a specific cause usually of a biased or misleading nature






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






48. Neoclassical principles of drama






49. The work is narrated by the person 'I' - who can also be the protagonist - omniscient speaker. There can be multiple narrators of the same work






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