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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. 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






2. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






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






6. 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






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






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






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






10. Consists of a single independent clause






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






12. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






15. Vague - not easily defined






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






17. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






19. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






20. Not taking a position






21. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






23. 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'






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






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






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






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






28. Expressly stated






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






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






31. A reference to something in culture - history or literature that expands the depth of the text that allows the reader to make a 'connection'






32. One of many prepositions






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






34. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






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






36. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






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






39. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






41. Main idea of an essay - what the writer hope to prove is true






42. A verb used for issuing commands - 'Do it now!'






43. 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






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






45. To move off point






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






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






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






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






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