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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 negative statement






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






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






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






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






6. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






7. 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'






8. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






9. 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






10. Expressly stated






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






12. Neoclassical principles of drama






13. Consists or two or more simple sentences joined by a common and coordinating conjunction - or by a semicolon






14. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






15. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






17. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






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






21. 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'






22. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






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






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






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






28. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






29. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






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






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






34. Example - this white wine goes well with this fish






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






36. A figure of speech






37. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






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






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






43. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






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






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






46. The pause that breaks a line of Old English verse






47. Quality in literature that appeals to the audience's emotions






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






49. The main character - usually the hero






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