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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 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'






2. Abab cdcd efef gg






3. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






4. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






5. Third person narrator sees and knows all without constraints of time - space. Can digress into contemplative or philosophical forays - often voicing the viewpoint of the author (mostly found in fiction)






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






7. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






8. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






11. 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'






12. A figure of speech






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






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






15. Consists of a single independent clause






16. ... - used to indicate omission of words or letters






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






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






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






20. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






22. The speaker - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






23. (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






24. Vowel rhyme






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






26. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






27. Neoclassical principles of drama






28. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






29. The perspective from which a story is written






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






31. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






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






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






43. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






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






47. A negative statement






48. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






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