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






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






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






4. 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






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






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






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






8. Understatement created through double negative






9. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






12. Simplifying a complex problem into an either or dichotomy






13. The perspective from which a story is written






14. To give human attributes or qualities to something nonliving or nonhuman






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






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






17. 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






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






19. Vague - not easily defined






20. A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting






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






22. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






25. Not taking a position






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






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






28. Humorous or ironic statement not meant to be taken literally






29. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






30. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. Appearing in episodes - a long string of short individual scenes






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






39. The speaker - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






40. Can be verified






41. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






42. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






43. 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






44. Abab cdcd efef gg






45. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






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






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






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






49. A figure of speech in which two contradictory elements are combined for effect - i.e. 'random order'






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