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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. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






2. The main character - usually the hero






3. Consists of a single independent clause






4. Neoclassical principles of drama






5. 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






6. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






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






10. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






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






13. 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






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






15. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






17. To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences






18. 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'






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






28. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






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






30. To make fun of






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






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






33. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






36. 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






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






38. A concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






39. A variety of literary devices i.e. - anaphora - repeating






40. Vague - not easily defined






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






42. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






43. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






44. An indirect attack or insinuation






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






46. Something that is implied






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






48. (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






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






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