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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. An exaggeration or overstatement






2. One of many prepositions






3. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






5. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






8. Understatement created through double negative






9. The claim or point that the writer is making






10. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






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






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






14. Abab cdcd efef gg






15. 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'






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






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






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






19. Language chosen by the writer






20. Clever use of language to amuse the reader - but more to make a point






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






22. 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)






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






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






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






27. An indirect attack or insinuation






28. Short narrative of an amusing - unusual - revealing or interesting event






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






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






31. Essay that presents information in order of importance - either most important to least important or vice versa






32. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. List of details that reinforces a concept






42. Something that is implied






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






44. Can be verified






45. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






47. Not taking a position






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






49. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






50. Repetition of the same consonant two or more times in short succession