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. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






2. 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






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






4. A thing - idea - or person that stands for something else






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






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






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






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. An attack on an opposing view to weaken - invalidate - or make it less credible






10. Vague - not easily defined






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






12. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






14. Refined taste - tact - the ability to avoid distress or embarrassment






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






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






17. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






20. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






21. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






22. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






23. Essay that presents information in order of occurrence - or sequence of events






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






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






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






27. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






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






30. 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






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






32. 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)






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






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






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






36. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






38. Can be verified






39. The work is narrated using a name or third person pronoun ie - he - she - etc.






40. An exception to a proposed general rule






41. The work is narrated by the person 'I' - who can also be the protagonist - omniscient speaker. There can be multiple narrators of the same work






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






43. A negative statement






44. Language chosen by the writer






45. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






47. A figure of speech






48. To move off point






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






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