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






2. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






3. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






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






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






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






9. Language chosen by the writer






10. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






11. The claim or point that the writer is making






12. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






14. Reasoning by which a general statement is reached on the basis of particular examples






15. An exaggeration or overstatement






16. The perspective from which a story is written






17. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






18. Understatement created through double negative






19. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






21. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






23. An exception to a proposed general rule






24. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






25. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






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






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






30. A negative statement






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






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






33. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






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






38. One of many subordinating conjunctions






39. An event or experience that causes disappointment because it is less exciting than what was expected






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






41. 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






42. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






43. Can be verified






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






45. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






47. Type of faulty reasoning in which the writer attempts to support a statement by repeating the statement in different or stronger language






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






49. 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'






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