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






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






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






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






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






6. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






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






8. Refers to the way the writer lets readers know what will be discussed - a framing statement gives the reader some sense of what to expect






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






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






11. 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






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






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






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






15. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






17. Not taking a position






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






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






20. The commentator does not mean what she writes






21. 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






22. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






34. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






37. Open - honest communication






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






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






40. Vague - not easily defined






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






43. A rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable - i.e. know and snow






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






45. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






46. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






48. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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