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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. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






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






5. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






7. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






9. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






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






12. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






13. (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






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






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






16. Open - honest communication






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






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






19. Language chosen by the writer






20. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






22. A verb acting as a noun - usually 'ing' form of the verb






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






24. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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






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






28. Abab cdcd efef gg






29. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






30. Understatement created through double negative






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






32. 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'






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






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






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






36. The perspective from which a story is written






37. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






40. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






42. To move off point






43. A negative statement






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






45. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






47. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






49. Vowel rhyme






50. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge