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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 explosion of harsh language that usually vilifies or condemns an idea






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






3. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






4. 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






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






6. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






7. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






8. Language chosen by the writer






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






10. A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting






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






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






13. A negative statement






14. Vague - not easily defined






15. Refers to the way the writer lets readers know what will be discussed - a framing statement gives the reader some sense of what to expect






16. The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form; seeing things as they could be






17. One of many subordinating conjunctions






18. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






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






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






23. Essay that presents information about the causes of some known or likely outcome - how different causes contribute to the outcome






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






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






26. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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






29. A short quotation or verse that precedes text that sets the tone or provides a setting






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






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






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






33. Abab cdcd efef gg






34. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






37. The main character - usually the hero






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






39. To make fun of






40. Can be verified






41. A thing - idea - or person that stands for something else






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






43. A speaker directly addresses something or someone not living - that cannot answer back






44. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






46. 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






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






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






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






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