10 free sample questions with answers and explanations. See how you'd score on the real CLEP exam.
Which revision improves the clarity of the sentence?
Explanation
The correct revision improves the clarity of the sentence by ensuring pronoun-antecedent agreement. In the original sentence, the pronoun 'whoever' is a singular subject, and the pronoun 'they' is a plural object. By revising the sentence to use 'he or she' as the object pronoun, the sentence maintains subject-verb agreement and avoids ambiguity. Distractor A targets the misconception that 'they' can be used as a singular pronoun, distractor C targets the misconception that 'whoever' can be used as an object pronoun, and distractor D targets the misconception that 'whoever' and 'they' can be used together without agreement issues.
A historian is researching the American Revolution. Which of the following is a primary source?
Explanation
The correct answer is C) The diary written by a soldier who fought in the war, because it is a firsthand account from the time period being studied. A primary source is an original material that is closest to the event or phenomenon being studied. The diary is a primary source because it was written by someone who experienced the event firsthand. The book written by a historian 50 years after the war (A) and the summary of the war from a textbook published in 2020 (D) are secondary sources because they are interpretations or analyses of the event by someone who did not experience it firsthand. The documentary about the war made last year (B) is also a secondary source because it is an interpretation or analysis of the event by someone who did not experience it firsthand. The historian should use primary sources like the diary to get a more accurate understanding of the event.
A researcher evaluates two studies on the impact of climate change. Which of the following best evaluates the strength of evidence?
Explanation
The correct answer, D, is the best choice because it recognizes that Study 1 uses a large sample size and controls for various factors, which are key indicators of a study's reliability. This demonstrates an understanding of the principles of evidence evaluation, specifically the importance of sample size and control for extraneous variables. Option A is incorrect because it fails to consider the methodological differences between the two studies. Option B is incorrect because, while it acknowledges the strengths of Study 1, it mistakenly suggests that Study 2's detailed descriptions compensate for its methodological flaws. Option C is incorrect because it prioritizes personal experiences over empirical evidence, which is a common misconception in evidence evaluation. The bloomLevel for this question is 'analyze' because it requires the test-taker to evaluate the strength of evidence in two competing studies. The misconceptions tested in this question include the failure to consider methodological differences, the overemphasis on detailed descriptions, and the prioritization of personal experiences over empirical evidence.
Which logical fallacy is committed in the statement?
Explanation
The statement commits an Ad Hominem fallacy because it attacks the character of the politician rather than addressing the merits of the policy proposal. This fallacy occurs when an argument is rejected based on a personal attack against the person making the argument, rather than engaging with the argument itself. In contrast, a Straw Man fallacy would involve misrepresenting the policy proposal to make it easier to attack. The other options are incorrect because a False Dichotomy would involve presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities, and an Appeal to Authority would involve arguing that something is true because an authority figure says so.
Which revision best improves the clarity of the thesis statement?
Explanation
The correct revision improves clarity by removing unnecessary words and making the thesis statement more direct. The original phrase 'The main point of this essay is to' is a common introductory phrase that can make the thesis statement wordy and less effective. By removing it, the revised thesis statement is more concise and gets straight to the point. Distractor B targets the misconception that adding more words always improves clarity, while distractor C targets the misconception that changing the tone is more important than clarity, and distractor D targets the misconception that adding emphasis is more important than concision.
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the passage?
Explanation
The correct answer is C because the passage provides a clear explanation of the policy's goals and strategies, indicating that its primary purpose is to inform and explain the policy to a general audience. The use of transitional phrases, such as 'Furthermore', and the discussion of both industries and individuals, suggests that the passage aims to educate readers about the policy. Option A is incorrect because while the passage does mention industries, its tone is informative rather than persuasive. Option B is incorrect because the passage is not solely focused on informing individuals, but rather provides a broader overview of the policy. Option D is incorrect because the passage does not contain any critical language or tone, and instead presents the policy in a neutral and explanatory manner.
What type of appeal does the statement 'As a doctor, I can confirm that this new medical procedure is safe' use?
Explanation
The statement uses ethos, an appeal to credibility, as the speaker is a doctor and is using their professional title to establish trust and credibility. This is an example of ethos because it relies on the speaker's character and expertise to make the claim more believable. Option A is incorrect because pathos is an appeal to emotion, which is not present in this statement. Option B is incorrect because logos is an appeal to logic, and while the statement may be logical, it is primarily relying on the speaker's credibility. Option D is incorrect because the statement is primarily using ethos, not a combination of pathos and logos.
Emily is writing a research paper and needs to cite a source that she found online. The source does not have a publication date, but it does have a date of revision. Which of the following is the most appropriate way for Emily to cite this source?
Explanation
Option B is correct because when a source does not have a publication date, it is acceptable to use the date of revision in the citation. Option A is incorrect because using the date of revision as the publication date could be misleading. Option C is incorrect because the date of access is not the same as the date of publication or revision. Option D is incorrect because including some date in the citation is necessary for proper citation.
When writing a formal essay, it is generally considered appropriate to use a tone that is objective and avoids the use of first-person pronouns, such as 'I' and 'me.' Which of the following is the primary reason for using an objective tone in formal writing?
Explanation
The correct answer, D, is the primary reason for using an objective tone in formal writing. This tone helps to establish the writer's credibility and presents information in a neutral and unbiased way. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because using first-person pronouns can come across as overly personal or informal, and can undermine the writer's credibility. Additionally, using complex vocabulary and sentence structures is not the primary reason for using an objective tone, although it may be a secondary benefit.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a historian, is writing a research paper about the impact of the Industrial Revolution on modern society. She is using the Chicago Manual of Style as her guide. According to this style, what is the proper way to format the title page of her research paper?
Explanation
The correct answer, C, is based on the guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style, which recommends that the title of a research paper be in title case, centered, and about one-third of the way down the page. Option A is incorrect because all capital letters are not typically used for titles in the Chicago style. Option B is incorrect because italics are not used for titles in the Chicago style, and left-justification is not the standard. Option D is incorrect because bold font is not typically used for titles in the Chicago style, and right-justification is not the standard.