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






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






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






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






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






6. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






7. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






8. 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)






9. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






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






13. (1) a short poetic nickname; (2) a term used to describe the name or title of a person -ie 'The Great Emancipator' for Abraham Lincoln; (3) an abusive slur






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






15. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






17. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






19. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






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






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






24. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






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






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






29. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






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






33. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






34. A figure of speech






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






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






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






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






39. A negative statement






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






41. A speaker directly addresses something or someone not living - that cannot answer back






42. Essay that presents information about the causes of some known or likely outcome - how different causes contribute to the outcome






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






44. 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'






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






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






47. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






48. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






49. Information distributed to promote a specific cause usually of a biased or misleading nature






50. One of many prepositions