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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. Neoclassical principles of drama






2. Rarely used - the writer uses the pronoun 'you' making the reader an active participant in the work






3. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






4. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






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






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






8. To illustrate how a claim can be true in some ways and false in others






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






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






11. 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'






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






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






14. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






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






16. One of many prepositions






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






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






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






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






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






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






23. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






24. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






25. Short narrative of an amusing - unusual - revealing or interesting event






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






27. Vowel rhyme






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






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






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






31. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






33. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






35. 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)






36. A negative statement






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






38. Something that is implied






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






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






41. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






44. The order of words in a sentence - also the types and structures of sentences






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






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






47. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






49. Imagined - even while it may possess truthful elements - it cannot be verified






50. An indirect attack or insinuation