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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. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






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






5. 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'






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






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






8. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






10. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






11. Consists of a single independent clause






12. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






13. A negative statement






14. 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






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






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






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






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






19. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






21. Something that is implied






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






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






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






25. Expressly stated






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






27. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






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






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






30. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






32. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






35. 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






36. An exception to a proposed general rule






37. The metaphor forms the basis for the entire work - extends throughout the work or passage






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






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






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






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






42. Refined taste - tact - the ability to avoid distress or embarrassment






43. A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply






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






45. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






47. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






48. Reasoning by which a general statement is reached on the basis of particular examples






49. 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'






50. The work is narrated using a name or third person pronoun ie - he - she - etc.