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. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






3. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






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






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






7. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






10. 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






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






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






13. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






14. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






15. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






16. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






17. To move off point






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






19. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






22. The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form; seeing things as they could be






23. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






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






26. 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






27. The main character - usually the hero






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






29. Language chosen by the writer






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






31. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






32. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






35. 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'






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






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






38. An indirect attack or insinuation






39. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






42. Language that is not meant to be taken literally - such as metaphor - simile - personification - metonymy






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






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






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






46. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






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






50. 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'