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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 narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






2. 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






3. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






4. A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply






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






6. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






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






9. Expressly stated






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






11. Something that is implied






12. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






15. The pause that breaks a line of Old English verse






16. 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






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






18. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






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






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






22. A word that introduces a subordinate clause - i.e. 'Since you're awake - I'll turn on the radio'






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






24. A reference to something in culture - history or literature that expands the depth of the text that allows the reader to make a 'connection'






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






26. Opposing point of view






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






28. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






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






32. A speaker directly addresses something or someone not living - that cannot answer back






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






34. To move off point






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






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






37. The work is narrated using a name or third person pronoun ie - he - she - etc.






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






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






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






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






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






43. 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'






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






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






46. Vowel rhyme






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






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






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






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