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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 example that is particularly apt for the situation at hand






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






3. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






12. Understatement created through double negative






13. Abbaabba cdecde or abbaabba cdcdcd






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






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






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






17. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






18. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






21. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






24. A short quotation or verse that precedes text that sets the tone or provides a setting






25. Something that is implied






26. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






30. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. A figure of speech






40. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






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






43. A type of literature that exposes idiocy - corruption - or other human folly - through humor - exaggeration - irony






44. Opposing point of view






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






46. Unconjugated verb with 'to' in front of it






47. Consists of a single independent clause






48. Not taking a position






49. Third-person narrator tells another's story using third-person pronouns






50. An indirect attack or insinuation