Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






3. The perspective from which a story is written






4. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






7. 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






8. An error of reasoning based on faulty use of evidence






9. 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






10. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






12. The main character - usually the hero






13. To move off point






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






15. Consists of a single independent clause






16. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






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






20. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






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






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






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






25. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






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






27. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






28. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. The rhythm of phrases or sentences created through repetitive elements






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






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






38. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






40. A formula of deductive argument that consists of 3 propositions - the major premise - minor premise - and conclusion






41. A negative statement






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






43. Not taking a position






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






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






46. Opposing point of view






47. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






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






49. Vowel rhyme






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