CLEP Composition and Literature Exam Questions and Answers (Page: 4)

QUESTION: 16

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark,” Aylmer commits a fatal error when his

faith in science causes him to try to improve on nature
disapproval of church leaders weakens his faith in God
hand shakes during surgery
greed causes him to lose his business
trust in his assistant brings about failure

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Aylmer believes that perfection is achievable through the rational application of science. When he removes the birthmark on the cheek of his wife Georgiana, he removes her last imperfection and she dies

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QUESTION: 17

An interpretation of the characters Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth as representing Eve, Adam, and Satan, respectively, is an example of

irony
allegory
paradox
simile
pathos

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

An allegory is a story with two or more levels of meaning – a literal level and one or more symbolic levels. The events, setting, and characters in an allegory are symbols for ideas and qualities. An allegorical interpretation of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, might view the story of Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale as the retelling of the story of Adam and Eve who were tempted by Satan, represented by Roger Chillingworth.

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QUESTION: 18

Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells

In the above passage, the author is describing the

ticking of grandfather clock
chanting of the faithful
cries of wild geese
ringing of bells
the hoof beats of horses

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The word “tintinnabulation” refers to the ringing or sounding of bells. In addition, the passage is from the poem The Bells.

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QUESTION: 19

Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells

Who is the author of the above passage?

Gerard Manley Hopkins
Edgar Allan Poe
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Charles Brockden Brown
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The passage is from The Bells, written by Edgar Allen Poe.

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QUESTION: 20

How was the envelope in the story “The Purloined Letter” hidden?

In plain sight
In a safe
In a book
Behind a painting
Beneath a floor board

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The envelope was disguised and placed in full view of all who entered the room. It was hidden in plain sight.

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Test Prep CLEP Composition and Literature Exam (page: 4) Test Prep CLEP Composition and Literature: American Literature, English Literature, Humanities Updated on: 09-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 16

Explanation:

QUESTION: 17

Explanation:

QUESTION: 18

Explanation:

QUESTION: 19

Explanation:

QUESTION: 20

Explanation:

Test Prep CLEP Composition and Literature Exam (page: 4)
Test Prep CLEP Composition and Literature: American Literature, English Literature, Humanities
Updated on: 09-Feb-2026