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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 - author - or narrator's attitude toward a person - place - idea - or thing






2. An exaggeration or overstatement






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






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






5. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






6. (1) a short poetic nickname; (2) a term used to describe the name or title of a person -ie 'The Great Emancipator' for Abraham Lincoln; (3) an abusive slur






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






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






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






10. Descriptive language to evoke the senses






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






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






13. Essay that presents information in order of importance - either most important to least important or vice versa






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






15. Opposing point of view






16. The speaker or writer's credibility - honesty






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






18. 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)






19. To make fun of






20. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






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






22. Ideas or things that can mean many things to many people - such as peace - honor






23. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






26. The commentator does not mean what she writes






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






28. One of many prepositions






29. A humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule - often used in satire






30. Abab bcbc cdcd ee






31. A work or poem written to celebrate a wedding






32. A word that introduces a subordinate clause - i.e. 'Since you're awake - I'll turn on the radio'






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






34. 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






35. Not taking a position






36. One of many conjunctive adverbs






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






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






39. 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'






40. 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






41. A comparison of two unlike things in order to show or more clearly or in a new way






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






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






44. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






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






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






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






50. Another way to say the writer used an analogy