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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 narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






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






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






4. 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






5. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






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






7. One of many conjunctive adverbs






8. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






10. One of many prepositions






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






12. (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






13. List of details that reinforces a concept






14. To make fun of






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






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






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






18. A verb used for issuing commands - 'Do it now!'






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






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






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






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






23. Expressly stated






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






25. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






28. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






29. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






30. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






33. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






34. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






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






38. Vague - not easily defined






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






40. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






43. The opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point






44. Not taking a position






45. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






48. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






49. The perspective from which a story is written






50. Another way to say the writer used an analogy