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






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






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






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






5. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






8. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






9. To move off point






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






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






12. 'ed' form of a verb - 'Bettina played with the children'






13. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






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






16. The main character - usually the hero






17. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. Expressly stated






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






26. 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'






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






28. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






30. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






32. The commentator does not mean what she writes






33. A type of literature that exposes idiocy - corruption - or other human folly - through humor - exaggeration - irony






34. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






36. The main character who opposes the protagonist - usually the villain






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






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






40. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






43. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






44. Verb in present tense - 'Bettina plays with children'






45. 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






46. An exaggeration or overstatement






47. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






49. A figure of speech






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