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






2. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






3. 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






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






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






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






7. Knowledge based on experience or observation - the view that experience - especially of the senses - is the only source of knowledge






8. 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)






9. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






11. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






14. A phrase or saying that has two meanings - one being sexual or provocative in nature






15. Not taking a position






16. Neoclassical principles of drama






17. Understatement created through double negative






18. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. Essay that presents information about a problem followed by a description of one or more solutions






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






27. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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






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






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






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






32. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






33. The perspective from which a story is written






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






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






36. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






37. The assigning of human attributes - such as emotions or physical characteristics - to nonhumans - usually plants or animals. Differs from personification in that it is a pattern applied to a nonhuman character throughout the entire literary work






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






39. The official 'headquarters' of a state or nation - its actual location or area






40. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






41. 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






42. Something that is implied






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






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






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






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






47. Quiet reflection upon a topic






48. List of details that reinforces a concept






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






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