CLEP: Rhetorical Analysis Practice

Which phrase below best defines inference?

• Reading between the lines

• Skimming a text for context clues

• Writing notes or questions that need answers during the reading experience

• Summarizing the text

Answer explanation

Inferring is reading between the lines. Choice B describes the skimming technique. Choice C describes a questioning technique readers should employ, and Choice D is a simple statement regarding summary. It's an incomplete answer and not applicable to the inference.

Which mode of writing aims to inform the reader objectively about a particular subject or idea and typically contains definitions, instructions, or facts within its subject matter?

• Argumentative

• Informative

• Narrative

• Descriptive

Answer explanation

The key word here is "inform," which is the primary purpose of all informative modes. They contain facts, definitions, instructions, and other elements with the objective purpose of informing a reader- such as study guides, instruction manuals, and textbooks. Choice A is incorrect because an argumentative mode contains language that is subjective and is intended to persuade or to inform with a persuasive bias. Choice C is incorrect as a narrative mode is used primarily to tell a story and has to intention of informing, nor is the language inherently objective. Choice D is incorrect as descriptive modes possess no inherent intent to inform, and are used primarily to describe.

The rhetorical appeal that elicits an emotional and/or sympathetic response from an audience is known as which of the following?

• Logos

• Ethos

• Pathos

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Pathos is the rhetorical appeal that draws on an audience's emotions and sympathies. Choice A is incorrect as logos appeals to the audience's logic, reason, and rational thinking, using facts and definitions. Choice B is incorrect because ethos appeals to the audience's sense of ethics and moral obligations. Choice D is incorrect because C contains the correct answer; thus, the answer cannot be "None of the above."

Which of the following describes the organizational patterm of chronological or sequence order?

• Text organized by describing a dilemma and a possible solution

• Text organized by observing the consequences of an action

• Text organized by the timing of events or actions

• Text organized by analyzing the relative placement of an object or event

Answer explanation

The correct answer is a text organized by the timing of events or actions. Chronological or sequence order is the organizational pattern that structures text to show the passage of time or movement through steps in a certain order. Choice A demonstrates the problem/solution strucutre. Choice B defines the cause/effect pattern. Choice D represents the spatial order structure.

Which of the following statements might be accurately inferred based on the above passage?

• The famous children's author produced an inferior book under her pseudonym.

• The famous children's author is the foremost expert on Antebellum America.

• The famous children's author did not receive the bump in publicity for her historical novel that it would have received if it were written under her given name.

• People generally prefer to read children's series than hsitorical fiction.

Answer explanation

We are looking for an inference - a conclusion that is reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning - from the passage that will likely explain why the famous children's author did not achieve her ususal success with the new genre (despite the book's acclaim). Choice A is wrong because the statement is false according to the passage. Choice B is wrong because, although the passage says the author has a graduate degree on the subject, it would be an unrealistic leap to infer that she is the foremost expert on Antebellum America. Choice D is wrong because there is nothing in the passage to lead us to infer that people generally prefer a children's series to historical fiction. In contrast, Choice C can be logically inferred since the passage speaks of the great success of the children's series and the declaration that the fame of the author's name causes the children's books to "fly off the shelves." Thus, she did not receive any bump from her name since she published the historical novel under a pseudonym, which makes Choice C correct.