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






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






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






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






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






6. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






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






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






10. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






11. To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences






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






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






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






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






16. 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






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






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






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






20. Vague - not easily defined






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






22. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






23. The verb and its object and modifiers






24. The main character - usually the hero






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






26. A figure of speech






27. Open - honest communication






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






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






30. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






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






34. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






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






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






37. Understatement created through double negative






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






39. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






47. The commentator does not mean what she writes






48. One of many prepositions






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






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