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. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






2. Third-person narrator tells another's story using third-person pronouns






3. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






4. Words that mean the opposite of their literal meaning - i.e. 'how wonderful that you wrecked your car!'






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






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






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






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






9. 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'






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






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






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






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






14. 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






15. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






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






18. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






21. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






22. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






24. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






26. Open - honest communication






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






28. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






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






32. The main character - usually the hero






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






34. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






36. Something that is implied






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






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






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






40. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






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






44. The perspective from which a story is written






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






46. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






49. Comparison of two things that are similar in several respects in order to prove a point or clarify an idea






50. Neoclassical principles of drama