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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. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






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






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






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






7. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






10. Understatement created through double negative






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






12. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






13. Abab cdcd efef gg






14. A negative statement






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






16. A thing - idea - or person that stands for something else






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






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






19. One of many conjunctive adverbs






20. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






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






23. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






24. Quiet reflection upon a topic






25. Drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence






26. A derogatory term used to described poorly written poetry of little or no literary value






27. That which comes before; the antecedent of a pronoun is the noun to which the pronoun refers






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






29. Opposing point of view






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






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






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






33. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






34. 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'






35. (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






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






37. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






38. One of many prepositions






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






46. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






48. 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






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






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