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






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 juxtaposition of incongruous or conflicting ideas that reveals a truth or insight






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






12. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






13. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






14. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






15. A negative statement






16. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






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






20. Consists of a single independent clause






21. One of many conjunctive adverbs






22. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






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






25. 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)






26. Imagined - even while it may possess truthful elements - it cannot be verified






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






28. To make fun of






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






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






31. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






32. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






34. An attack on an opposing view to weaken - invalidate - or make it less credible






35. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






36. Can be verified






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






38. Vague - not easily defined






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






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






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






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






43. The main character - usually the hero






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






45. A comparison of two unlike things in order to show or more clearly or in a new way






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






47. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






48. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






50. Opposing point of view