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






2. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






3. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






4. 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






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






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






7. Not taking a position






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






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






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






11. An exception to a proposed general rule






12. The claim or point that the writer is making






13. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






14. 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)






15. Can be verified






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






17. Quality in literature that appeals to the audience's emotions






18. A type of literature that exposes idiocy - corruption - or other human folly - through humor - exaggeration - irony






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






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






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






29. A figure of speech






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






31. Short narrative of an amusing - unusual - revealing or interesting event






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






33. Vowel rhyme






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






35. 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'






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






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






38. A derogatory term used to described poorly written poetry of little or no literary value






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






40. Essay that presents information in order of specificity - beginning with a general theme and focuses on a specific topic of interest - often the 5 paragraph essay






41. To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences






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






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






44. 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'






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






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






47. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






48. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






49. A negative statement






50. Opposing point of view