Test your basic knowledge |

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 verb used for issuing commands - 'Do it now!'






2. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






3. 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






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






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






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






7. The verb and its object and modifiers






8. Understatement created through double negative






9. 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)






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






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






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






13. Open - honest communication






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






15. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






17. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






19. Helping verb (often be - have - or do) - i.e. 'I am working on it'






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






21. The metaphor forms the basis for the entire work - extends throughout the work or passage






22. A figure of speech






23. One of many prepositions






24. A preference or inclination - especially one that inhibits impartial judgment






25. Vowel rhyme






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






27. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






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






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






32. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






35. A formula of deductive argument that consists of 3 propositions - the major premise - minor premise - and conclusion






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






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






38. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






39. Expressly stated






40. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






42. (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






43. One of many subordinating conjunctions






44. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






45. 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'






46. To move off point






47. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






49. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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