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






2. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






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






5. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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






8. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. 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'






18. Understatement created through double negative






19. 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)






20. That which comes before; the antecedent of a pronoun is the noun to which the pronoun refers






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






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






23. Open - honest communication






24. Lines rhymed by their final two syllables - i.e. running and gunning






25. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






26. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






27. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






29. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






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






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






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






33. Referring to local custom or sayings; regional language or behavior






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






35. A formula of deductive argument that consists of 3 propositions - the major premise - minor premise - and conclusion






36. 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






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






38. Third-person narrator tells another's story using third-person pronouns






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






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






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






42. The main character who opposes the protagonist - usually the villain






43. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






44. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






45. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






47. Not taking a position






48. List of details that reinforces a concept






49. A type of poem that takes the form of a lament for the dead sung by a shepherd






50. An exaggeration or overstatement