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. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






4. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






5. Understatement created through double negative






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






7. 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






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






9. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






11. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






12. Consists or two or more simple sentences joined by a common and coordinating conjunction - or by a semicolon






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






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






15. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






17. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. Quiet reflection upon a topic






28. 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






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






30. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






31. The verb and its object and modifiers






32. A figure of speech






33. Quality in literature that appeals to the audience's emotions






34. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






36. Something that is implied






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






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






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






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






41. An example that is particularly apt for the situation at hand






42. Knowledge based on experience or observation - the view that experience - especially of the senses - is the only source of knowledge






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






44. Third person narrator sees and knows all without constraints of time - space. Can digress into contemplative or philosophical forays - often voicing the viewpoint of the author (mostly found in fiction)






45. One of many prepositions






46. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






48. 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






49. Words whose sounds mimic their meaning - buzz - woof






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