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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. A negative statement






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






3. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






6. A verb acting as a noun - usually 'ing' form of the verb






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






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






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






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






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






12. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






13. Can be verified






14. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






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






17. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






19. The perspective from which a story is written






20. A figure of speech






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






22. 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)






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






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






25. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






27. Words whose sounds mimic their meaning - buzz - woof






28. The claim or point that the writer is making






29. 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'






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






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






32. An exception to a proposed general rule






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






41. Not taking a position






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






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






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






45. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






47. One of many subordinating conjunctions






48. 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






49. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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