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






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






3. Abab cdcd efef gg






4. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






6. Neoclassical principles of drama






7. The claim or point that the writer is making






8. Knowledge based on experience or observation - the view that experience - especially of the senses - is the only source of knowledge






9. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. To make fun of






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






22. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






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






25. Vague - not easily defined






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






27. A type of poem that takes the form of a lament for the dead sung by a shepherd






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






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






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






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






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






33. Understatement created through double negative






34. 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






35. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






37. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






38. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






39. 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'






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






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






42. One of many prepositions






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






44. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






46. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






48. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






49. Essay that presents information in order of occurrence - or sequence of events






50. Imagined - even while it may possess truthful elements - it cannot be verified