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






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






3. Not taking a position






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






5. 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'






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






7. One of many prepositions






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






9. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






12. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






13. 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






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






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






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






17. Can be verified






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






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






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






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






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






23. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






24. A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply






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






26. An event or experience that causes disappointment because it is less exciting than what was expected






27. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






29. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






31. 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'






32. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






34. A figure of speech






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






36. The main character - usually the hero






37. Vague - not easily defined






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






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






40. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






42. Essay pattern in which the writer shows the immediate and underlying causes that led to an event or situation






43. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






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






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






46. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






48. (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






49. Type of faulty reasoning in which the writer attempts to support a statement by repeating the statement in different or stronger language






50. Expressly stated