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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 speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






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






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






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






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






7. A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure - i.e. 'to err is human; to forgive - divine'






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. Language chosen by the writer






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






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






17. 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






18. A comic tool of satire - ridiculous exaggeration or distortion






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






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






21. Another way to say the writer used an analogy






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






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






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






26. Condemn by seeming to offer praise - ie 'well - I could not have done better myself'






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






28. Words that mean the opposite of their literal meaning - i.e. 'how wonderful that you wrecked your car!'






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






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






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






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






33. Vague - not easily defined






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






35. One of many prepositions






36. Not taking a position






37. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






39. A reference to something in culture - history or literature that expands the depth of the text that allows the reader to make a 'connection'






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






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






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






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






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






45. The claim or point that the writer is making






46. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






48. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






49. One of many subordinating conjunctions






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