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






2. 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






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






4. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






7. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






9. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






10. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






13. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






23. An exaggeration or overstatement






24. Vague - not easily defined






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






26. A negative statement






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






28. The juxtaposition of incongruous or conflicting ideas that reveals a truth or insight






29. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






30. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






32. A figure of speech






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






45. 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






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






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






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






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






50. The verb and its object and modifiers