College Composition CLEP

(1) Winter counts are physical records, mainly drawings on animal hides or muslin, that Plains Indians, primarily the Lakota, used for showing each year of their history. (2) In this method, a year consists of one event recorded as an image in the winter count. (3) People could keep track of other events, such as births and deaths, by knowing the years in which it occurred. (4) In consultation with members of the Lakota people, curators at the Smithsonian Institution created an online exhibit of about a thousand winter counts. (5) Scholars generally agree that collectively, probably, they chose which event would stand for a year. (6) An event chosen to represent a year was not necessarily the most important of that year, just one that was memorable for everyone in the group. (7) One person was the keeper of the winter count. (8) Once the group made its selection, he then recorded this event. (9) Like any calendar, the winter counts named years but did not go into detail about what happened. (10) Here is where the keeper of the winter count came in. (11) He was the group's official historian. (12) He remembered stories passed down to him and could place them in the winter count. (13) He could provide the significance of the events chosen to represent the years in the winter count. (14) Fortunately, several keepers were interviewed and their stories recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (15) Even without their accompanying oral histories, however, the winter counts show that life for the Lakota was always on the move. The passage as a whole could be clarified by adding which of the following before the first sentence? A. A brief paragraph comparing Native American timekeeping methods with calendar-based ones B. An excerpt of an interview with a Lakota keeper of the winter counts C. An analysis of how certain events make time seem longer than it really is D. An example of a student who learned about her Native American background and became a keeper of winter counts E. A discussion of how winter is viewed differently in different cultures

A. A brief paragraph comparing Native American timekeeping methods with calendar-based ones

Which part of this sentence has the wrong verb tense? I go home and got a phone call from Nancy, and she told me that she can't go to the conference with us next weekend. A. go B. got C. told D. can't go

A. go

Read each sentence carefully, paying particular attention to the underlined portions. You will find that the error, if there is one, is underlined. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, select No error. If one has trouble swallowing tablets or capsules, you could try taking medicine in liquid form. No error A. one has B. could try C. taking D. in E. No error

A. one has

Cramton, D., & Hinds, P. J. (2005). Subgroup dynamics in internationally distributed teams: ethnocentrism or cross-national learning. Research in Organizational Behavior, 26, 231-263. The citation shown refers to A. volume number of Research in Organizational Behavior B. number of individual works in Research in Organizational Behavior C. the number of times the cited work was retrieved from the Internet D. page that "Subgroup dynamics in internationally distributed teams: ethnocentrism or cross-national learning" begins on E. approximate number of pages in "Subgroup dynamics in internationally distributed teams: ethnocentrism or cross-national learning."

A. volume number of Research in Organizational Behavior

Which part of this sentence is incorrect? The people whom helped me with this don't have the least idea how to moderate. A. whom B. don't C. least D. to moderate

A. whom

Which of the following is the best way to combine sentences 5 and 6 (reproduced below)? As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use. It can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track." A. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use; it can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track." B. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter—called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track"—gained wider use. C. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter, they call it "canned laughter" or a "laugh track," which then gained wider use. D. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, "canned laughter" or a "laugh track" gained wider use; this is recorded laughter. E. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use; it can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track."

B. As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter—called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track"—gained wider use.

In context, which of the following versions of the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below) is best? Americans enjoy some of the safest free drinking water on Earth, however spending $15 billion on bottled water in 2006, and consumption is rising (Fishman). A. Earth, however spending B. Earth, yet they spent C. Earth; but spending D. Earth; having spent E. Earth, instead they spend

B. Earth, yet they spent

(1) Winter counts are physical records, mainly drawings on animal hides or muslin, that Plains Indians, primarily the Lakota, used for showing each year of their history. (2) In this method, a year consists of one event recorded as an image in the winter count. (3) People could keep track of other events, such as births and deaths, by knowing the years in which it occurred. (4) In consultation with members of the Lakota people, curators at the Smithsonian Institution created an online exhibit of about a thousand winter counts. (5) Scholars generally agree that collectively, probably, they chose which event would stand for a year. (6) An event chosen to represent a year was not necessarily the most important of that year, just one that was memorable for everyone in the group. (7) One person was the keeper of the winter count. (8) Once the group made its selection, he then recorded this event. (9) Like any calendar, the winter counts named years but did not go into detail about what happened. (10) Here is where the keeper of the winter count came in. (11) He was the group's official historian. (12) He remembered stories passed down to him and could place them in the winter count. (13) He could provide the significance of the events chosen to represent the years in the winter count. (14) Fortunately, several keepers were interviewed and their stories recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (15) Even without their accompanying oral histories, however, the winter counts show that life for the Lakota was always on the move. In context, which is best to add to the beginning of sentence 13? A. Or, B. In addition, C. Despite this, D. However, E. Not to mention,

B. In addition,

(1) Winter counts are physical records, mainly drawings on animal hides or muslin, that Plains Indians, primarily the Lakota, used for showing each year of their history. (2) In this method, a year consists of one event recorded as an image in the winter count. (3) People could keep track of other events, such as births and deaths, by knowing the years in which it occurred. (4) In consultation with members of the Lakota people, curators at the Smithsonian Institution created an online exhibit of about a thousand winter counts. (5) Scholars generally agree that collectively, probably, they chose which event would stand for a year. (6) An event chosen to represent a year was not necessarily the most important of that year, just one that was memorable for everyone in the group. (7) One person was the keeper of the winter count. (8) Once the group made its selection, he then recorded this event. (9) Like any calendar, the winter counts named years but did not go into detail about what happened. (10) Here is where the keeper of the winter count came in. (11) He was the group's official historian. (12) He remembered stories passed down to him and could place them in the winter count. (13) He could provide the significance of the events chosen to represent the years in the winter count. (14) Fortunately, several keepers were interviewed and their stories recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (15) Even without their accompanying oral histories, however, the winter counts show that life for the Lakota was always on the move. Deleting which of the following sentences would most improve the coherence of the passage? A. Sentence 2 B. Sentence 4 C. Sentence 9 D. Sentence 10 E. Sentence 15

B. Sentence 4

Which of following selections is correct: A. Suzy and Tom are not here they went to the store. B. Suzy and Tom are not here; they went to the store. C. Suzy and Tom are not here, they went to the store. D. Suzy and Tom are not here, went to the store.

B. Suzy and Tom are not here; they went to the store.

Read each sentence carefully, paying particular attention to the underlined portions. You will find that the error, if there is one, is underlined. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, select No error. The orbits of comets in our solar system are much more eccentric than planet Earth, which revolves around the Sun following a relatively circular path. No error A. are much B. than planet Earth C. revolves around D. following E. No error

B. than planet Earth

Which of the following does not involve secondary sourcing? A. "Hafferson explains that the reason was "way too obvious, beyond a doubt" (qtd. in Keller 196). B. As Hichens explains, Stevenson thought that there were too many obstacles to move forward in the elections (184). C. "We found the results to be different from those previously observed" (345). D. Samson and Iglebert found many fallacies in Sansorky's Foundations and Revelations of Truth (45).

C. "We found the results to be different from those previously observed" (345).

(1) In observing a live performance such as a play or a stand-up routine, each individual member of the audience is affected by the group's emotional response to the show. (2) Some research shows that audience members are likely to laugh along with the laughter of others in the audience much more frequently than they would laugh at the same performance if viewing it alone. (3) As performances moved to radio and television in the first half of the twentieth century, producers were well aware of the important role of this social laughter. (4) Early radio and television comedies were broadcast live with a real audience in the studio to provide the reactions that helped at-home audiences feel connected to the performance. (5) As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use. (6) It can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track." (7) The laugh track gives producers the ability to create an audience response that aligns with the finished, edited performance. (8) In live broadcasts, the show is performed from beginning to end without stopping, and live studio audiences have an authentic, if unpredictable, response to the performance, just like that of audiences listening or watching at home. (9) In a recorded performance, though, directors are free to stop the scene, ask performers to redo a particular segment or have the crew switch equipment, and start again. (10) This interrupted, disjointed style of performance makes it difficult for them to hold a live studio audience's interest. (11) Therefore, editors often add recorded laughter into the final edited version of the program. (12) Highlighting each joke with just the right volume, duration, and quality of laughter to prompt audiences at home to laugh at the intended times. (13) Although some contemporary television comedies do not use a laugh track, many programs for children and adults alike rely on recorded laughter to create a sense of audience participation. In context, which of the following is best to do with sentence 12 (reproduced below) ? Highlighting each joke with just the right volume, duration, and quality of laughter to prompt audiences at home to laugh at the intended times. A. Insert a comma after "laughter" and change "to prompt" to "prompting". B. Add "with the performance" at the end of the sentence. C. Add it to the end of sentence 11, using a comma before the word "highlighting." D. Delete it from the passage. E. Leave it as it is.

C. Add it to the end of sentence 11, using a comma before the word "highlighting."

What is the best sentence to start the following paragraph? The Arthurian novel, as seen with Palmerín de Inglaterra and Amadís de Gaula, was very popular at the beginning of the century. It was Cervantes, however, who all but killed the genre with Don Quijote when he poked fun at the knights and magic in these tales. Thus, despite their popularity and the multiplicity of sequels that were published, these novels ceased to exist. A. Some consider sixteenth century Spanish Arthurian literature very interesting, and many books were published about castles and dragons. B. Cervantes put an end to sixteenth century Spanish Arthurian literature when he wrote Don Quijote. C. In the sixteenth century, Spanish Arthurian literature became much less popular, as new styles of writing emerged. D. There were many new genres that grew out of Spanish Golden Age literature.

C. In the sixteenth century, Spanish Arthurian literature became much less popular, as new styles of writing emerged.

Which of following selections is not correct: A. There were many people in the store. B. I don't know if there are any people here that speak French. C. My friend has much money in the bank. D. We don't have a lot of time today.

C. My friend has much money in the bank.

Which of the following needs to be cited: A. China is the most populous country in the world. B. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. C. Pablo Neruda was the greatest poet of the 20th century. D. The French revolution was in 1789.

C. Pablo Neruda was the greatest poet of the 20th century.

(1) There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none. (2) A clammy and intensely cold mist, it made its slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and overspread one another, as the waves of an unwholesome sea might do. (3) It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all. (4) Two other passengers, besides the one, were plodding up the hill by the side of the mail. All three were wrapped to the cheekbones and over the ears, and wore jack-boots. (5) Not one of the three could have said, from anything he saw, what either of the other two was like; and each was hidden under almost as many wrappers from the eyes of the mind, as from the eyes of the body, of his two companions. Which of the following pairs of literary devices appears in sentence 1? A. Alliteration and onomatopoeia B. Metaphor and juxtaposition C. Personification and simile D. Irony and paradox E. Point of view and stream of consciousness

C. Personification and simile

Which one of these sources is probably the least biased? A. a website about the best French recipes B. a journal about conservative political reform C. a book examining the pros and cons of protectionism D. a newsletter about spiritual revivalism

C. a book examining the pros and cons of protectionism

Improbable as it (A) may seem when (B) one observes (C) its awkwardness on land, penguins are (D) extremely graceful swimmers. (E) No error A. may seem B. one C. its D. extremely E. No error

C. its

Which part of this sentence is incorrect? My friend says that when she goes to the store one can't find any good prices anymore and that this is the reason why she shops online now. A. says B. goes C. one D. now

C. one

What is the matter with the style of this paragraph? The number one is difficult. It is hard to define. People have tried. Is it a set? Is it a correspondence? Is it a unit? It is difficult to know. Sometimes less is more. Such a low number is not easy. People have defined it. Others have disproven them. They keep trying for a definition. Perhaps someday we all will agree. A. it is hard to define the number one B. there are too may questions in the paragraph C. sentence length and variation is highly limited D. the verb tenses are too inconsistent

C. sentence length and variation is highly limited

Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the original sentence. If you think the original is better than any of the alternatives, choose the first option. The cooking instructor informed us that by the end of the course, we will have acquired basic skills in chopping, searing, and to make sauces. A. we will have acquired basic skills in chopping, searing, and to make sauces B. we will have acquired basic skills in chopping, to sear, and making sauces C. we will have acquired basic skills in chopping, searing, and making sauces D. to chop, sear, and to make sauces will have been the basic skills acquired by us E. chopping, searing, and making sauces is what we will have acquired basic skills in

C. we will have acquired basic skills in chopping, searing, and making sauces

Akmajian, Adrian, et al. Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. 6th ed. Cambridge: MIT P, 2010. Print. In the citation shown, "et al." indicates that the book was A. published in Cambridge B. edited by Adrian Akmajian C. written by several authors D. first published in 2010 E. an introduction to the fifth edition

C. written by several authors

(1) In observing a live performance such as a play or a stand-up routine, each individual member of the audience is affected by the group's emotional response to the show. (2) Some research shows that audience members are likely to laugh along with the laughter of others in the audience much more frequently than they would laugh at the same performance if viewing it alone. (3) As performances moved to radio and television in the first half of the twentieth century, producers were well aware of the important role of this social laughter. (4) Early radio and television comedies were broadcast live with a real audience in the studio to provide the reactions that helped at-home audiences feel connected to the performance. (5) As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use. (6) It can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track." (7) The laugh track gives producers the ability to create an audience response that aligns with the finished, edited performance. (8) In live broadcasts, the show is performed from beginning to end without stopping, and live studio audiences have an authentic, if unpredictable, response to the performance, just like that of audiences listening or watching at home. (9) In a recorded performance, though, directors are free to stop the scene, ask performers to redo a particular segment or have the crew switch equipment, and start again. (10) This interrupted, disjointed style of performance makes it difficult for them to hold a live studio audience's interest. (11) Therefore, editors often add recorded laughter into the final edited version of the program. (12) Highlighting each joke with just the right volume, duration, and quality of laughter to prompt audiences at home to laugh at the intended times. (13) Although some contemporary television comedies do not use a laugh track, many programs for children and adults alike rely on recorded laughter to create a sense of audience participation. In context, which of the following is the best revision to the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Some research shows that audience members are likely to laugh along with the laughter of others in the audience much more frequently than they would laugh at the same performance if viewing it alone. A. However, some B. Nonetheless, some C. In contrast, some D. In fact, some E. Conversely, some

D. In fact, some

Which part of this sentence is incorrect? The sacrifices of the fighters are beyond my understanding; I don't think they know what its all about. A. are B. they C. what D. its

D. its

Read each sentence carefully, paying particular attention to the underlined portions. You will find that the error, if there is one, is underlined. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, select No error. During her first year in medical school, Joanne came to the realization that she was more interested in doing research than to treat patients. No error A. During B. came to C. more D. to treat E. No error

D. to treat

Read each sentence carefully, paying particular attention to the underlined portions. You will find that the error, if there is one, is underlined. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, select No error. Among the Native Americans first encountered by Europeans during the seventeenth century was the Algonquin Indians. No error A. Among B. first encountered C. during D. was E. No error

D. was

Which is best to do with sentence 7 (reproduced below)? Environmental chemist Mike Murray claims, "As invasive species like zebra mussels overwhelm the Great Lakes, large stretches of the lakes have become underwater deserts." A. Leave it as it is. B. Paraphrase Murray's comment rather than quote it directly. C. Add information in parentheses explaining Murray's claim. D. Provide Murray's credentials as a scientist. E. Add a citation indicating the source of the quotation from Murray.

E. Add a citation indicating the source of the quotation from Murray.

(1) In the late nineteenth century, librarians began noticing that many of the books in their care were breaking apart and crumbling. (2) Curiously, it was not the oldest books that were deteriorating, but the more recent volumes: those produced since the middle of the nineteenth century with sheets fabricated from a highly acidic wood-pulp mixture. (3) The transition to this lesser-grade stock began during the 1860s, when increasing demand for paper hastened the development of a cheaper process. (4) To improve strength and to prevent ink from being too readily absorbed by the pulp paper, chemicals, including aluminum sulfate (alum), were added to the mix. (5) The result was that documents exposed to humidity produced sulfuric acid, which weakened the molecular structure of the pulp's cellulose. The word "Curiously" in sentence 2 is meant to address which of the following assumptions? A. Old artifacts tend to be more valuable than recently produced ones. B. Environmental factors such as humidity often have unforeseen effects. C. Cheaper production processes usually result in lower-quality products. D. All manufactured objects are inevitably subject to decay. E. Older objects are likely to disintegrate before objects created more recently.

E. Older objects are likely to disintegrate before objects created more recently.

(1) In observing a live performance such as a play or a stand-up routine, each individual member of the audience is affected by the group's emotional response to the show. (2) Some research shows that audience members are likely to laugh along with the laughter of others in the audience much more frequently than they would laugh at the same performance if viewing it alone. (3) As performances moved to radio and television in the first half of the twentieth century, producers were well aware of the important role of this social laughter. (4) Early radio and television comedies were broadcast live with a real audience in the studio to provide the reactions that helped at-home audiences feel connected to the performance. (5) As advances in technology allowed performances to be prerecorded, edited, and enhanced for later broadcast, recorded laughter gained wider use. (6) It can be called "canned laughter" or a "laugh track." (7) The laugh track gives producers the ability to create an audience response that aligns with the finished, edited performance. (8) In live broadcasts, the show is performed from beginning to end without stopping, and live studio audiences have an authentic, if unpredictable, response to the performance, just like that of audiences listening or watching at home. (9) In a recorded performance, though, directors are free to stop the scene, ask performers to redo a particular segment or have the crew switch equipment, and start again. (10) This interrupted, disjointed style of performance makes it difficult for them to hold a live studio audience's interest. (11) Therefore, editors often add recorded laughter into the final edited version of the program. (12) Highlighting each joke with just the right volume, duration, and quality of laughter to prompt audiences at home to laugh at the intended times. (13) Although some contemporary television comedies do not use a laugh track, many programs for children and adults alike rely on recorded laughter to create a sense of audience participation. Which of the following, if inserted immediately before sentence 1, would make the best introduction to the passage? A. There are actually scientists who study human laughter. B. The laughter you hear on many television comedies was probably prerecorded. C. The technology used to produce radio and television programs has advanced rapidly. D. Many people believe that comedy is less meaningful than drama, but both can evoke strong emotional responses. E. Shared laughter has a powerful influence on an audience's relationship to a performance.

E. Shared laughter has a powerful influence on an audience's relationship to a performance.

Cramton, D., & Hinds, P. J. (2005). Subgroup dynamics in internationally distributed teams: ethnocentrism or cross-national learning. Research in Organizational Behavior, 26, 231-263. In the citation shown refers to A. a chapter in a book B. a conference paper C. a newspaper editorial D. an essay in an anthology E. a journal article

E. a journal article

(1) While chocolate was highly esteemed in Mesoamerica, where it originated, its adoption in Europe was initially slow. (2) There is a common belief that Europeans needed to "transform" chocolate to make it appetizing. (3) However, while Spaniards did put sugar, which was unknown to indigenous Americans, into chocolate beverages, this additive was not completely innovative. (4) Mesoamericans were already sweetening chocolate with honey, and the step from honey to sugar—increasingly more available than honey because of expanding sugar plantations in the Americas—is a small one. (5) Likewise, although Spaniards adjusted Mesoamerican recipes by using European spices, the spices chosen suggest an attempt to replicate harder-to-find native flowers. (6) There is no indication the Spaniards deliberately tried to change the original flavor of chocolate. The discussion of honey in sentence 4 primarily serves to A. detail the origins of an innovative practice B. present an example of a valid theory C. introduce a new topic for discussion D. extend a prior analogy E. refute a particular belief

E. refute a particular belief