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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. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






2. 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'






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






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






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






6. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






8. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






11. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






13. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






15. The main character - usually the hero






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






17. Quality in literature that appeals to the audience's emotions






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






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






20. Helping verb (often be - have - or do) - i.e. 'I am working on it'






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






22. Opposing point of view






23. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






25. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






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






38. The perspective from which a story is written






39. Something that is implied






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






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






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






43. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






45. 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






46. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






48. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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