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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 concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






2. A saying or expression that proposes to tell the truth






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






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






5. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






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






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






8. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






9. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






11. To move off point






12. Language chosen by the writer






13. A rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable - i.e. know and snow






14. A narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning






15. The main character - usually the hero






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






17. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






20. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






21. 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'






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






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






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






25. Essay that presents information in order of occurrence - or sequence of events






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






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






28. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






30. Vowel rhyme






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






32. A figure of speech






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






34. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






37. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






39. The claim or point that the writer is making






40. 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)






41. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






43. An exception to a proposed general rule






44. 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






45. Understatement created through double negative






46. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






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






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






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






50. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence