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. 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






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






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






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






5. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






6. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






7. A verb acting as a noun - usually 'ing' form of the verb






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






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






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






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






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






13. A negative statement






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






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






16. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






17. Understatement created through double negative






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






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






20. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






21. Opposing point of view






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






23. To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences






24. The main character who opposes the protagonist - usually the villain






25. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






28. 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'






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






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






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






32. Something that is implied






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






34. A word that introduces a subordinate clause - i.e. 'Since you're awake - I'll turn on the radio'






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






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






37. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






38. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






39. The speaker - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






40. 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






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






42. Consists of a single independent clause






43. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






45. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






46. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






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






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






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