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






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






3. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






4. Abab cdcd efef gg






5. Vowel rhyme






6. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






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






9. 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






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






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






12. Can be verified






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






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






15. One of many conjunctive adverbs






16. Something that is implied






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






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






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






20. Not taking a position






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






22. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






24. A negative statement






25. An example that is particularly apt for the situation at hand






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






27. Vague - not easily defined






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






29. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






30. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






32. A comparison of two unlike things in order to show or more clearly or in a new way






33. Essay that presents information in order of specificity - beginning with a general theme and focuses on a specific topic of interest - often the 5 paragraph essay






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






35. To make fun of






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






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






38. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






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






41. 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






42. An exception to a proposed general rule






43. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






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






48. Consists of a single independent clause






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






50. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects