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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 saying or expression that proposes to tell the truth






2. An indirect attack or insinuation






3. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






4. Information distributed to promote a specific cause usually of a biased or misleading nature






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






6. 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






7. 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'






8. Expressly stated






9. The commentator does not mean what she writes






10. The verb and its object and modifiers






11. 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






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






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






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






15. Neoclassical principles of drama






16. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






19. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






20. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






22. A figure of speech






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






24. One of many conjunctive adverbs






25. 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






26. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






27. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






28. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






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






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






32. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






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






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






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






47. List of details that reinforces a concept






48. The main character - usually the hero






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






50. Clever use of language to amuse the reader - but more to make a point