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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 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'






2. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






3. The verb and its object and modifiers






4. Refined taste - tact - the ability to avoid distress or embarrassment






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






6. A narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






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. Vague - not easily defined






9. Abab cdcd efef gg






10. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






12. One of many prepositions






13. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






17. A preference or inclination - especially one that inhibits impartial judgment






18. The perspective from which a story is written






19. A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting






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






21. 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






22. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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






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






26. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






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






30. Language chosen by the writer






31. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






35. Something that is implied






36. Quiet reflection upon a topic






37. Expressly stated






38. A rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable - i.e. know and snow






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






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






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






42. To write around a subject - evasively - say nothing






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






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






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






46. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






47. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






50. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection