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






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






3. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






4. One of many prepositions






5. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






6. Vowel rhyme






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






8. Unconjugated verb with 'to' in front of it






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






10. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






12. A concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






13. An explanatory reference at the bottom of a page of text






14. Understatement created through double negative






15. A variety of literary devices i.e. - anaphora - repeating






16. Can be verified






17. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






19. To make fun of






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






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






23. Opposing point of view






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






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






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






27. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






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






30. (1) a short poetic nickname; (2) a term used to describe the name or title of a person -ie 'The Great Emancipator' for Abraham Lincoln; (3) an abusive slur






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






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






33. The claim or point that the writer is making






34. The metaphor forms the basis for the entire work - extends throughout the work or passage






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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'






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






48. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






49. A figure of speech






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