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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. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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






4. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






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






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






9. 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






10. 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






11. The pause that breaks a line of Old English verse






12. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






13. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






14. 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'






15. The work is narrated by the person 'I' - who can also be the protagonist - omniscient speaker. There can be multiple narrators of the same work






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






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






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






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






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






21. Acronym for basic elements of nonfictional text - speaker - occasion - audience - purpose - subject - tone






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






23. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






25. Language chosen by the writer






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






27. The perspective from which a story is written






28. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






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






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






32. Vague - not easily defined






33. A figure of speech in which two contradictory elements are combined for effect - i.e. 'random order'






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






35. 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






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






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






38. ... - used to indicate omission of words or letters






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






40. An indirect attack or insinuation






41. To move off point






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






43. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






44. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






47. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






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






49. Can be verified






50. Not taking a position