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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. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






3. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






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






7. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






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






11. Open - honest communication






12. Consists of a single independent clause






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






14. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






15. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






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






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






18. A figure of speech






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






20. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






22. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






31. Vowel rhyme






32. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






33. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






35. Opposing point of view






36. 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'






37. Language that is not meant to be taken literally - such as metaphor - simile - personification - metonymy






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






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






40. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






41. 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'






42. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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






45. The commentator does not mean what she writes






46. Expressly stated






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






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






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






50. Another way to say the writer used an analogy