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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 comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






2. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






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






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






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






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






8. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






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






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






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






13. The perspective from which a story is written






14. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






17. A figure of speech






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






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






28. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






29. A derogatory term used to described poorly written poetry of little or no literary value






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






31. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






32. 'ed' form of a verb - 'Bettina played with the children'






33. Vague - not easily defined






34. The assigning of human attributes - such as emotions or physical characteristics - to nonhumans - usually plants or animals. Differs from personification in that it is a pattern applied to a nonhuman character throughout the entire literary work






35. Can be verified






36. The main character - usually the hero






37. One of many prepositions






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






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






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






41. To write around a subject - evasively - say nothing






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






43. To move off point






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






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






46. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






48. 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






49. Understatement created through double negative






50. To make fun of