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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. One of many prepositions






2. A verb used for issuing commands - 'Do it now!'






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. Referring to phrases that suggest an interplay of the senses - ie 'hot pink' or 'golden voice'






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






13. One of many subordinating conjunctions






14. An interpretation of the facts based on available details






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






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






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






18. A figure of speech






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






20. Example - I think that your sweater is lovely






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






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






23. 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






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






25. The verb and its object and modifiers






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






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






28. Example based on supposition or uncertainty






29. An indirect attack or insinuation






30. Repetition - at close intervals - of beginning sounds






31. The main character - usually the hero






32. 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






33. The building housing lawmakers of a state or nation






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






35. To move off point






36. 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






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






38. 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






39. Used to link two independent clauses of parallel connection






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






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






42. To make fun of






43. Expressly stated






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






45. Refers to ascribing emotion and agency to inanimate objects






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






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






48. Observable - measurable - easily perceived






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






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