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






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






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






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






5. Vowel rhyme






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






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






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






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






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






11. Abab cdcd efef gg






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






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






14. The opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point






15. A metaphor using 'like' or 'as' in the comparison






16. 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'






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






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






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






20. A group of words acting as a noun - i.e. 'Playing the guitar is extremely difficult'






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






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






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






24. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






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






28. Expressed of direct address - i.e. 'Sit - Bettina - sit!'






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






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






31. 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






32. Vague - not easily defined






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






34. The work is narrated by the person 'I' - who can also be the protagonist - omniscient speaker. There can be multiple narrators of the same work






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






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






37. To make fun of






38. 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)






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






40. Neoclassical principles of drama






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






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






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






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






45. Not taking a position






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






47. Combines a compound sentence with a complex sentence






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






49. One of many subordinating conjunctions






50. Used to introduce a long quotation - list