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






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






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






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






5. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






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






8. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






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






12. A preference or inclination - especially one that inhibits impartial judgment






13. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






14. One of many subordinating conjunctions






15. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






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






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






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






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






20. Condemn by seeming to offer praise - ie 'well - I could not have done better myself'






21. The perspective from which a story is written






22. The main character - usually the hero






23. Consists of a single independent clause






24. 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






25. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






27. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






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






29. Quiet reflection upon a topic






30. A figure of speech






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






32. Understatement created through double negative






33. An indirect attack or insinuation






34. 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






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






36. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






37. 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'






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






39. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






42. Language chosen by the writer






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






44. A short quotation or verse that precedes text that sets the tone or provides a setting






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






46. 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






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






48. 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






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






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