English Literature MCQ

1531. Bartolome de Las Casas wrote

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The devastation of the indies.

Exam Relevance: AP World History, AP Literature, Undergraduate Colonial Literature courses.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Bartolomé de las Casas and his significant work documenting the impact of Spanish colonization on indigenous populations.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between the works of different Latin American authors or mistaking the title of de las Casas' work.

Explanations: Bartolomé de las Casas authored "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies," commonly known as "The Devastation of the Indies." This work details the harsh treatment of indigenous peoples under Spanish rule.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The devastation of the indies" refers to Bartolomé de las Casas' work.
Option B: Incorrect. "Flor Y Canto" is by Octavio Paz, unrelated to de las Casas.
Option C: Incorrect. "A Very Old Man with Enormous wings" is a short story by Gabriel García Márquez.
Option D: Incorrect. "Hopscotch" is a novel by Julio Cortázar.

Mnemonic: Bartolomé wrote about the Indies' devastation, not Paz, Márquez, or Cortázar.

1532. In a Freudian approach to literature, concave images are usually seen as:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Female symbols.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Freudian analysis often interprets concave images as female symbols due to their association with receptivity and the female form.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Freudian symbolism or confusing concave shapes with phallic symbols.

Explanations: Freudian literary analysis frequently associates concave shapes with female imagery because they represent receptivity and the female form. This interpretation aligns with Freud's exploration of sexual symbolism in literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Concave images are seen as female symbols in Freudian analysis.
Option B: Incorrect. Phallic symbols are associated with male imagery, not concave shapes.
Option C: Incorrect. Male symbols are not linked to concave imagery in Freudian theory.
Option D: Incorrect. The Oedipus complex pertains to familial relationships, not image symbolism.

Mnemonic: Concave = Container = Female

1533. Fill in the blank. John Foxe was deeply disgusted by the ....., and could not believe that any honest Christian could accept its doctrinal basis.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Mass.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Foxe's opposition to the Mass reflects Protestant critiques of Catholic practices during the Reformation.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Foxe's opposition with other doctrines like Transubstantiation or Resurrection.

Explanations: John Foxe, a Protestant reformer, strongly opposed the Catholic Mass, viewing it as a re-presentation of Christ's sacrifice, which he rejected. His disgust was rooted in the belief that the Mass was unnecessary and contrary to Protestant teachings.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Foxe opposed the Mass as a Catholic practice.
Option B: Incorrect. While Foxe rejected Transubstantiation, the question focuses on his disgust, which was more about the Mass itself.
Option C: Incorrect. The Resurrection is a core Christian belief, not something Foxe opposed.
Option D: Incorrect. Combines A and C, but Resurrection isn't opposed.

Mnemonic: Foxe Fought the Mass

1534. In Beowulf, what is the significance of the term whale-road?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The term is an example of kenning.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "whale-road" is an example of a kenning, a poetic device in Old English literature where a compound phrase is used metaphorically to describe something.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "whale-road" with other poetic devices like caesura or comitatus, rather than recognizing it as a kenning.

Explanations: In Beowulf, "whale-road" is a kenning for the sea. Kennings use compound phrases to create vivid imagery, reflecting Old English poetic style.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; "whale-road" does not refer to Beowulf's torque.
Option B: Incorrect; comitatus relates to warrior loyalty, not the term in question.
Option C: Correct; "whale-road" is a kenning for the sea.
Option D: Incorrect; caesura is a poetic pause, not a descriptive term.

Mnemonic: Kenning is a clever twist, like calling the sea a 'whale's path' in Beowulf.

1535. Brutus loved Caesar but he loved more than anything else.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Rome.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of Brutus's motivations in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, focusing on his loyalty to Rome.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Brutus's loyalty to Rome with his personal relationships, such as his friendship with Caesar or marriage to Portia.

Explanations: In Julius Caesar, Brutus is driven by his belief in the Roman Republic and his fear that Caesar's growing power threatens its stability. His decision to join the conspiracy against Caesar stems from his commitment to Rome's welfare, even though he personally admires Caesar. This reflects the play's exploration of duty versus friendship and the conflict between private emotions and public responsibility.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Rome is correct because Brutus's primary loyalty is to the state of Rome and its interests, which he believes are threatened by Caesar's rule.
Option B: Italy is incorrect because the play is set in Rome, not the broader region of Italy, and Brutus's concerns are specifically about Rome's future.
Option C: Portia is incorrect because, while Brutus loves his wife, the play emphasizes his political motivations over personal relationships.
Option D: None is incorrect because Rome is the correct answer.

Mnemonic: "Rome Rules Brutus's Heart"

1536. Nonfiction books that give true facts on a variety of subjects.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Informational.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Informational texts are nonfiction works that provide factual information on various subjects.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the purpose of each genre, such as confusing biographies with broader informational texts.

Explanations: Informational texts are specifically designed to convey factual information on a variety of subjects, making them the correct choice for nonfiction books that provide true facts.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Biographies focus on the life of a single individual, not a variety of subjects.
Option B: Poetry is a literary form that conveys emotions and ideas, not factual information.
Option C: Informational texts are nonfiction works that provide factual information on various subjects.
Option D: Folktales are traditional stories that may contain elements of truth but are not primarily factual or educational.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1537. Who characterized Dryden as " the father of English Criticism" .

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Dr. Johnson.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature in English, Cambridge English Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Dr. Samuel Johnson is recognized for his critical works, including his analysis of John Dryden, where he refers to him as "the father of English Criticism."

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Dr. Johnson and other critics like Matthew Arnold or T.S. Eliot, who are not associated with this specific characterization.

Explanations: Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" contains a detailed analysis of John Dryden, where he refers to him as "the father of English Criticism." This designation highlights Dryden's foundational role in shaping English literary criticism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: T.S. Eliot is a 20th-century poet and critic, not associated with this characterization.
Option B: Matthew Arnold was a 19th-century critic, but he did not make this specific characterization.
Option C: Dr. Johnson is correct because he made the specific characterization in his critical works.
Option D: T.S. Eliot is the same as Option A and is incorrect.

Mnemonic: Johnson's judgment on Dryden as the father of criticism.

1538. Aristotle discusses the theory of Tragedy in :

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Poetics.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Aristotle's "Poetics" is a seminal work where he outlines his theory of tragedy, including elements like plot, character, and catharsis.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between Aristotle's works and those of other classical authors like Horace.

Explanations: Aristotle's "Poetics" specifically addresses tragedy, making it the correct choice. Other works by Aristotle or other authors do not focus on this theory.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Art Poetique" is by Horace, not Aristotle.
Option B: Correct, as "Poetics" discusses tragedy.
Option C: "Rhetoric" is another Aristotle work but unrelated to tragedy.
Option D: "Ars Poetica" is also by Horace.

Mnemonic: Aristotle's Poetics on Tragedy (APT)

1539. Which of the following statements best characterizes Ezra Pound's poem "Hugh Selwyn Mauberley"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) It undermines the idea of a single lyrical voice by using diverse cultural symbols and numerous phrases in various languages.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem challenges traditional poetic structures by using multiple voices and cultural references.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the poem's fragmented structure as a narrative or lyrical monologue.

Explanations: Ezra Pound's "Hugh Selwyn Mauberley" employs a fragmented style with diverse cultural symbols and phrases in various languages, reflecting a modernist critique of traditional poetic forms and the idea of a single lyrical voice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The poem is not primarily narrative; it is a collection of vignettes and reflections.
Option B: While iambic pentameter is used in some parts, it is not consistently employed for tonal fluidity.
Option C: The poem uses diverse cultural symbols and phrases in various languages, undermining a single lyrical voice.
Option D: The poem does not use alexandrine couplets, and its intensity comes from its fragmented structure and cultural references.

Mnemonic: Cultural Chaos in Mauberley

1540. Which one is the correct form below?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) War and Peace-Tolstoy

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to correctly pair literary works with their authors.

Common Mistakes: Common mistakes include confusing authors or misremembering the titles of works.

Explanations: War and Peace is a novel by Leo Tolstoy, a Russian author. The other options incorrectly pair works with authors.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Emma is by Jane Austen, not Goethe.
Option B: Shakespeare did not write Freedom.
Option C: War and Peace is correctly attributed to Tolstoy.
Option D: Not all options are correct.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1541. Character 'King Duncan' is found in -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Macbeth

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Test in Literature, AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Shakespearean characters and their respective plays.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise if one mixes up characters from different Shakespeare plays.

Explanations: King Duncan is a character in "Macbeth," where he is the king of Scotland before being murdered by Macbeth. This is a key event in the play that sets off the tragic events.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Othello is a play about a Moorish general in Venice, not involving King Duncan.
Option B: Macbeth is the correct play where King Duncan appears and is killed.
Option C: Julius Caesar is set in Rome and involves the assassination of Julius Caesar, not King Duncan.
Option D: Henry 8 is about the English king Henry VIII and his court, unrelated to King Duncan.

Mnemonic: Macbeth's Duncan: Remember the play by the king's name.

1542. The word " Bilingual" refers to-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Two languages

Exam Relevance: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English exams

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The term "bilingual" refers to the ability to speak two languages.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the prefix "bi-" as related to British or Bengali instead of meaning "two."

Explanations: "Bilingual" is derived from Latin, where "bi-" means two and "-lingual" means language. Thus, it refers to two languages.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as "one language" refers to monolingualism.
Option B: Incorrect, as "British language" is unrelated to bilingualism.
Option C: Incorrect, as "Bengali language" refers to a specific language.
Option D: Correct, as "two languages" accurately defines bilingualism.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1543. But, reader, I acknowledge that this is a confused world, and I am not seeking for office; but merely placing before you the black inconsistency that you place before meâ€”which is ten times blacker than any skin that you will find in the Universe. And now let me exhort you to do away that principle, as it appears ten times worse in the sight of God and candid men, than skins of colorâ€”more disgraceful than all the skins that Jehovah ever made. If black or red skins, or any other skin of color is disgraceful to God, it appears that he has disgrace himself a great dealâ€”for he has made fifteen colored people to one white, and placed them here upon the earth (1462).

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) William Apess.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The passage critiques racial discrimination, arguing that the principle of discrimination is more disgraceful than skin color. This aligns with William Apess's advocacy for racial equality.

Common Mistakes: Misidentifying the author based on the critique of racial issues without considering the specific historical context and known works of each option.

Explanations: William Apess is known for his works addressing racial inequality and social justice. The passage's critique of racial discrimination and advocacy for equality match his themes. Other options are associated with different contexts and do not align with the passage's content.

Option Analysis:

Option A: John Saffin was a Quaker and abolitionist, but his works do not match the specific critique in the passage.
Option B: John Winthrop was a Puritan leader, not known for addressing racial discrimination in this context.
Option C: Samuel Sewall was involved in the Salem witch trials and not known for this type of critique.
Option D: William Apess's works focus on racial equality and critique societal structures, aligning with the passage's content.

Mnemonic: "Apess addresses racial disgrace, Sewall with witch trials, Winthrop with Puritan rule, Saffin with Quaker schools."

1544. Many Victorian novels were serialized, or published in small pieces in magazines or journals. Some reasons for doing so include which of the following?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) It allowed authors to build an audience through anticipation, and it also enabled authors to respond to the response of readers, occasionally trying new strategies if the reception was not good enough.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Serialization in Victorian novels involved publishing works in installments, which had several benefits for authors.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking serialization was primarily for financial gain or due to practical issues like paper shortages.

Explanations: Serialization allowed authors to gradually build an audience by creating anticipation with each new installment. It also provided feedback opportunities, enabling authors to adjust their writing based on reader reactions. This adaptability was crucial for maintaining reader interest and improving the narrative flow.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. It highlights the dual benefits of audience building and adaptability based on reader response.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no historical evidence supporting the claim about paper shortages affecting serialization.
Option C: Incorrect. While serialization could lead to financial success, it was not the primary reason for the practice.
Option D: Incorrect. Victorian authors were capable of writing sustained prose, and serialization was not a workaround for a busy lifestyle.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1545. What did John Polidori write?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Vampire

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of authors and their notable works in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Polidori with other authors like Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker, who are also associated with gothic literature.

Explanations: John Polidori wrote "The Vampyre," a significant early work in the vampire genre. This story is often cited as one of the first vampire tales in English literature, influencing later works like Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Frankenstein" was written by Mary Shelley, not John Polidori.
Option B: "Hamlet" is a play by William Shakespeare, unrelated to Polidori.
Option C: "Vampire" refers to Polidori's "The Vampyre," making this the correct answer.
Option D: "Dracula" was written by Bram Stoker, not Polidori.

Mnemonic: Polidori's Vampire, Shelley's Frankenstein, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Stoker's Dracula.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 103”

Mani January 4, 2020
You’re might me mistaken For this which poet called himself ” I awake one morning and found myself famous” The Answer is Shelley.
I think u might me mistaken
Anwar Ahmad January 4, 2020
Nice efforts
Anwar Ahmad January 6, 2020
Good practice method
Narinder Singh March 26, 2020
I need objective type questions
Anonymous June 3, 2020
Good practise method
Anonymous September 19, 2020
Lord Byron
Susil October 17, 2020
Great information. I like it.
Anonymous February 2, 2021
Byron
Anonymous September 12, 2021
Lord byron
Lucky November 19, 2022
very nice . its very usefull for us

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 103”

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