Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Assess your understanding of literary concepts and sharpen your analytical skills through engaging questions and explanations. Get ready to excel on your exam!

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What is a motif?

  1. The secondary characters in a story.

  2. An event that effectively highlights a character’s traits.

  3. A repeating word, phrase, or visual clue.

  4. A method of narration.

The correct answer is: A repeating word, phrase, or visual clue.

A motif is a recurring element or symbol in a literary work that contributes to the overall theme or message of the text. It is different from the other options because it is not a character, event, or method of narration, but rather a literary device used by the author to convey a deeper meaning. While secondary characters and events can contribute to a character's traits, they are not specifically defined as motifs. Similarly, while narration can be a vehicle for introducing and developing motifs, it is not the same as a motif itself. Therefore, C is the correct answer as it accurately describes the definition of a motif.