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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. 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






2. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






4. One of many prepositions






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






6. A figure of speech






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






8. The main character - usually the hero






9. To make fun of






10. 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






11. Open - honest communication






12. One of many subordinating conjunctions






13. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






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






18. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






20. The speaker - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






21. Vowel rhyme






22. An explanatory reference at the bottom of a page of text






23. To move off point






24. 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)






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






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






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






28. Opposing point of view






29. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






32. To give human attributes or qualities to something nonliving or nonhuman






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






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






35. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






37. 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'






38. 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






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






40. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






41. Knowledge based on experience or observation - the view that experience - especially of the senses - is the only source of knowledge






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. One of many conjunctive adverbs






49. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






50. Consists of a single independent clause