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






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






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






4. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






5. Refers to the way the writer lets readers know what will be discussed - a framing statement gives the reader some sense of what to expect






6. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






7. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






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






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






12. Vague - not easily defined






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






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






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






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






17. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






18. Basically an 'either or' situation - typically a moral decision






19. A comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






20. Not taking a position






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






22. The opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point






23. 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'






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






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






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






27. The main character - usually the hero






28. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






29. A thing - idea - or person that stands for something else






30. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






32. 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






33. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. (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






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






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






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






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






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






46. Opposing point of view






47. To make fun of






48. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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