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






2. 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'






3. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






6. The perspective from which a story is written






7. Expressly stated






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






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






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






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






12. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






13. 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'






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






15. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






16. Verb in present tense - 'Bettina plays with children'






17. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






18. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






20. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






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






22. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






25. Language chosen by the writer






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






27. The main character - usually the hero






28. Opposing point of view






29. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






30. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






32. Words that mean the opposite of their literal meaning - i.e. 'how wonderful that you wrecked your car!'






33. Open - honest communication






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






35. The verb and its object and modifiers






36. Vague - not easily defined






37. An exaggeration or overstatement






38. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






39. Vowel rhyme






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






41. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






43. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






44. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






46. 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






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






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






49. (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






50. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd