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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 make fun of






2. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






3. 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'






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. Neoclassical principles of drama






12. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






14. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






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






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






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






20. Something that is implied






21. A concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






22. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






23. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






24. A figure of speech






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






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






27. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






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






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






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






32. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






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






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






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






37. 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






38. 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






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






40. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






41. 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'






42. Essay that presents information about a problem followed by a description of one or more solutions






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






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






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






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






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






48. Main idea of an essay - what the writer hope to prove is true






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






50. (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