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






2. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






3. 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






4. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






5. The verb and its object and modifiers






6. Abab cdcd efef gg






7. 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






8. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






10. Essay that presents information about two or more things - events - or ideas in order to compare them






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






12. One of many conjunctive adverbs






13. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






14. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






16. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






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






18. Vowel rhyme






19. 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






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






21. Essay that presents information about the causes of some known or likely outcome - how different causes contribute to the outcome






22. Lines rhymed by their final two syllables - i.e. running and gunning






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






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






25. Something that is implied






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






27. Third-person narrator tells another's story using third-person pronouns






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






29. An exception to a proposed general rule






30. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






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






32. 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'






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






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






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






36. Reasoning by which a general statement is reached on the basis of particular examples






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






38. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






39. Quiet reflection upon a topic






40. To make fun of






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






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






43. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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






46. An explanatory reference at the bottom of a page of text






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






48. Vague - not easily defined






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






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