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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. Opposing point of view






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






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






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






5. 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






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






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






8. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






9. Consists of a single independent clause






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






18. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






19. A concept or idea without a specific example; idealized generalizations






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






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






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






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






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






25. A negative statement






26. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






27. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






29. A figure of speech






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






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






32. Not taking a position






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






34. Innocence in perception - lack of worldly knowledge






35. Vague - not easily defined






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






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






38. An explosion of harsh language that usually vilifies or condemns an idea






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






40. Further information about the subject (predicate must contain the verb)






41. Quiet reflection upon a topic






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






43. 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'






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






45. The ordinary - everyday speech of a region






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






47. Can be verified






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






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






50. One of many subordinating conjunctions