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






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






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






4. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






5. The commentator does not mean what she writes






6. The opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point






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






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






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






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






11. Example - this white wine goes well with this fish






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






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






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






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






16. 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'






17. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






19. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






21. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






22. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






25. 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'






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






27. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






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






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






30. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






31. (1) a short poetic nickname; (2) a term used to describe the name or title of a person -ie 'The Great Emancipator' for Abraham Lincoln; (3) an abusive slur






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






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






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






35. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






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






39. Can be verified






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






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






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






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






44. 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






45. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






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






48. An exaggeration or overstatement






49. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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