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






2. The verb and its object and modifiers






3. Clever use of language to amuse the reader - but more to make a point






4. Essay that presents information in order of importance - either most important to least important or vice versa






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






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






7. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






8. A speaker directly addresses something or someone not living - that cannot answer back






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






10. Used to introduce a long quotation - list






11. Vague - not easily defined






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






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






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






15. List of details that reinforces a concept






16. A group of words acting as a noun - i.e. 'Playing the guitar is extremely difficult'






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






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






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






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






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






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






23. A figure of speech






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






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






26. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






28. 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






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






30. Can be verified






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






32. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






34. Opposing point of view






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






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






37. The claim or point that the writer is making






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






39. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






41. 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






42. 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'






43. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






44. Understatement created through double negative






45. Repetition of the same consonant two or more times in short succession






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






47. (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






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






49. Something that is implied






50. 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'