Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






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






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






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






6. Can be verified






7. 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






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






9. Expressly stated






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






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






12. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






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






16. One of many prepositions






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






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






19. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






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






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






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






25. An indirect attack or insinuation






26. Referring to phrases that suggest an interplay of the senses - ie 'hot pink' or 'golden voice'






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






28. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






29. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






30. Abab cdcd efef gg






31. The main character - usually the hero






32. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






34. Unconjugated verb with 'to' in front of it






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






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






37. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






38. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






40. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






41. The commentator does not mean what she writes






42. A comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






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






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






45. 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'






46. 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






47. 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)






48. To move off point






49. 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'






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