CLEP English Composition

Choose the answer you think is correct. After you finish answering all ten questions, click the submit button to get your score!

30% - Skills at the sentence level

Improving Sentences

Improve the following sentences without changing the original meaning. Follow the conventions of standard written English as you choose the best option.

1. The children were frightened by the snake.

Change this sentence to the active voice.
The children were not frightened by the snake.
The children used to be frightened by the snake.
The children could have been frightened by the snake.
The snake frightened the children
Were the children frightened by the snake?

2. However, the guests preferred playing cards.

Give this sentence emphasis by placing the subject in the most emphatic location in the sentence.
The guests, however, preferred playing cards.
The guests preferred, however, playing cards.
However, playing cards was what the guests preferred.
The guests preferred playing cards.
The guests preferred playing cards, however.

3. Of all the people that had ever crossed his path, he never had met anyone more kind and sweet than she.

From the choices below, substitute "met" for "never had met anyone" and rewrite the sentence accordingly.
hardly anybody
not hardly anyone
none hardly
none
not even a single one

Identifying Sentence Errors

Choose which underlined part of the following sentences contains an error (A, B, C, D). If no error is present, choose (E).

4. Thank you very much for your kind offer (A), but Andrew and me (B) would prefer not to come (C) with Taylor and you (D).
A
B
C
D
No error

5. Near the end of his life (A) Count Moreland decided to leave politics and quietly retire (B) to the countryside despite (C) the protests of his ardent (D) supporters.
A
B
C
D
No error

6. Helping students discover their strengths (A) and weaknesses while preparing them (B) for the future, is one (C) of the most worthwhile jobs (D) a person could have.
A
B
C
D
No error

20% - Skills in context

Revising Works in Progress

Questions 7 and 8 are based on this draft of part of an essay:

(1) In his epic work Great Expectations, Charles Dickens introduces us to some memorable characters. (2) First there is Pip, the poor orphan boy whose "great expectations" the play follows. (3) Then there is Miss Havisham, a woman bitter with disappointment and eager to gain revenge on the male gender. (4) Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella. (5) She is Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him. (6) Lastly, there is Joe, Pip's brother-in-law and his truest friend. (7) Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe that saves Pip from disaster and shame.

7. What is the best way to combine sentences 4 and 5 reproduced below into one complete sentence?

Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella. She is Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him
Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella, and she is Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him.
Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella, one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him.
Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella, who is Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him.
Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella, though she is Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him.
Of course, we cannot forget the beautiful Estella, Pip's one true love who, despite his devotion, spurns him.

8. Considering the context, which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 7 reproduced below?

Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Pip that is saved from disaster and shame by Joe.
Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe, saving Pip from disaster and shame.
Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe who saves Pip from shame and disaster.
Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe, who saves Pip from disaster and shame.
Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe who was the one that saved Pip from disaster and shame.
Although Pip looks down on Joe's humble lot in life, it is Joe who saved Pip from disaster and shame.

Questions 9 and 10 are based on this draft of an editorial:

More and more, we see the line between telephone and computer being blurred. What is driving this trend? Perhaps one clue is found in the fact that it is now estimated that one out of every five Americans wishes that he or she had an iPhone. Well, that statistic may be fabricated, but the fact remains that manufacturers will make what people want (i.e., what will sell).

9. The logic used throughout this passage is an example of _____ reasoning.
deductive
inductive
fallacious
circular
rhetorical

10. Which of the following sentences would best conclude this paragraph?
While some claim that this is an example of the free market, manufacturers bending to the will of others is very socialistic.
As the old saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it."
If people want smartphones, then manufacturers will make smartphones.
Should we, as consumers, stand for this "follow-the-leader" type of attitude in manufacturers?
One way we see this demonstrated in society is the famous "Tickle-Me-Elmo" incident of the 1990's.

50% - The essay

The actual English Composition CLEP will include an essay question that must be answered in 45 minutes. The test will give you a random topic, and you will be required to write an essay response that demonstrates good grammar and adequate writing ability.

Here are some sample essay topics like those that might appear on the actual English Comp CLEP exam:

Discuss the merits of democracy.
American life has changed significantly over the past 100 years due to computer technology.
Give one advancement in computer technology and list some of the ways it has affected your life.
Describe some of the ways a college education helps a person in life.
Analyze how learning to read equips people to succeed.