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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 specificity - beginning with a general theme and focuses on a specific topic of interest - often the 5 paragraph essay






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






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






4. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






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






8. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






11. The juxtaposition of incongruous or conflicting ideas that reveals a truth or insight






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. An explanatory reference at the bottom of a page of text






26. That which comes before; the antecedent of a pronoun is the noun to which the pronoun refers






27. 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






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






29. To move off point






30. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






33. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






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






36. The claim or point that the writer is making






37. An exaggeration or overstatement






38. A preference or inclination - especially one that inhibits impartial judgment






39. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






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






41. Language that is not meant to be taken literally - such as metaphor - simile - personification - metonymy






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






43. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






44. 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)






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






46. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






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






50. An interpretation of the facts based on available details