English Literature MCQ

1696. 'The Faerie Queene' is an.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Epic.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, A-Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: 'The Faerie Queene' is classified as an epic due to its grand scale, heroic themes, and moral allegory.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between a poem and an epic.

Explanations: Edmund Spenser's 'The Faerie Queene' is an epic poem that follows the conventions of classical epics, including a hero's journey, elevated language, and a focus on moral and allegorical themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: An elegy mourns a death, which does not apply.
Option B: An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject, which fits.
Option C: A sonnet is a 14-line poem, which is not the case.
Option D: While it is a poem, the term is too broad.

Mnemonic: Epic: Extended, Purposeful, Imaginative, Continuous.

1697. This mode of discourse presents details that appeal to the senses

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Description.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Description is a mode of discourse that uses sensory details to create vivid imagery.

Common Mistakes: Confusing description with other modes like narration or persuasion.

Explanations: Description focuses on appealing to the senses by providing detailed imagery, making it the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as description uses sensory details.
Option B: Incorrect, metaphor is a figure of speech.
Option C: Incorrect, persuasion aims to convince.
Option D: Incorrect, narration tells a story.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1698. The Nurse's Song was written by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Blake.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests recognition of the author of "The Nurse's Song," a poem from William Blake's "Songs of Innocence."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Blake with other Romantic poets like Keats or Shelley, who are also associated with similar themes.

Explanations: "The Nurse's Song" is a well-known poem by William Blake, featured in his collection "Songs of Innocence." This poem reflects Blake's themes of childhood and innocence, which are central to his work. The other poets listed are associated with different literary styles and works, making Blake the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: John Keats is known for his odes, such as "Ode to a Nightingale," not "The Nurse's Song."
Option B: Alfred Lord Tennyson is famous for poems like "The Charge of the Light Brigade," not "The Nurse's Song."
Option C: William Blake wrote "The Nurse's Song" as part of his "Songs of Innocence."
Option D: Percy Bysshe Shelley is known for works like "Ozymandias," not "The Nurse's Song."

1699. The old ivy vine was

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Gnarled and decayed.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Understanding descriptive language and imagery in literature.

Common Mistakes: Misinterpreting the imagery or not considering the age of the vine.

Explanations: The phrase "old ivy vine" suggests age and wear, which aligns with "gnarled and decayed." This imagery is common in literature to depict aged or weathered objects.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Fresh and green" describes a young, healthy vine, not an old one.
Option B: "Gnarled and decayed" fits the description of an old vine, showing its age and wear.
Option C: "Dry and yellow" suggests a vine that is dead or dying, not necessarily old.
Option D: "Short and invisible" does not describe an old vine; it implies the vine is barely noticeable.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1700. Folk tale with supernatural beings such as fairies, dragons, ogres, etc.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Fairy TaleÂ.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Fairy tales are traditional stories featuring magical elements and supernatural beings, often used to entertain or convey moral lessons.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the focus of other genres like Hero Myths or Origin Myths, which may include supernatural elements but have different primary purposes.

Explanations: Fairy tales are characterized by the presence of supernatural beings such as fairies, dragons, and ogres. These stories often serve to entertain or impart moral lessons, distinguishing them from other genres.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Origin Myths explain the origins of the world or cultural practices, not focused on supernatural beings in entertainment or moral tales.
Option B: Hero Myths focus on the hero's journey and achievements, not primarily on supernatural beings.
Option C: Fairy Tales are defined by their inclusion of magical elements and supernatural beings, making this the correct answer.
Option D: Proverbs are concise sayings expressing general truths, unrelated to storytelling or supernatural elements.

Mnemonic: Fairies, dragons, and ogres in tales—Fairy Tale always prevails.

1701. Which one of the following events inspired the trend of body transformation in Gothic novels?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The increase in scientific experimentation.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Gothic novels often explore themes of scientific experimentation and its consequences, reflecting the era's interest in science and its ethical implications.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the connection between scientific trends and literary themes.

Explanations: The increase in scientific experimentation during the Enlightenment inspired Gothic authors to explore themes of transformation and the consequences of scientific curiosity. This trend is evident in works that feature experiments leading to monstrous transformations, reflecting societal anxieties about scientific progress.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The decline in animal dissections is unrelated to body transformation themes in Gothic literature.
Option B: Scientific experimentation directly influenced Gothic themes of transformation and scientific ethics.
Option C: The end of absolute monarchy is a political event, not a literary influence.
Option D: The Vitalist Controversy's end does not specifically inspire body transformation themes.

Mnemonic: Science Sparks Transformation

1702. Apology for Poesy or Defence of Poetry is not just a reply to Gosson, but indirectly to as well.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Plato.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The essay addresses Plato's criticism of poetry from "The Republic."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the historical context of Sidney's response.

Explanations: Sidney's essay defends poetry against Plato's critique in "The Republic," where Plato argues poetry corrupts the soul. Sidney counters by highlighting poetry's moral and educational benefits.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Plato's "Republic" criticizes poetry, which Sidney defends.
Option B: Incorrect. Aristotle supports poetry in his "Poetics."
Option C: Incorrect. Longinus focuses on the sublime in literature.
Option D: Incorrect. Horace provides literary advice, not criticism of poetry.

Mnemonic: P for Plato, the Poet's Foe.

1703. What genre of play is The Way of the World?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Restoration Comedy.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, AQA A-Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Restoration Comedy is a genre characterized by wit, social satire, and exploration of love and marriage, prominent during the Restoration period in England.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific characteristics of Restoration Comedy versus general comedy.

Explanations: The Way of the World fits Restoration Comedy due to its witty dialogue, social satire, and focus on love and marriage, typical of the genre during the Restoration period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Too broad; not specific to Restoration Comedy.
Option B: Incorrect genre; the play is a comedy, not a tragedy.
Option C: Correct; aligns with the play's characteristics and historical context.
Option D: Incorrect; the play is not a novel.

Mnemonic: Restoration Comedy: Witty, Social, and Congreve.

1704. What does Eva's father promise her before she dies?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) That he will free Uncle Tom.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of specific promises made in "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the promise with other events involving Eva and her family.

Explanations: Mr. Shelby promises Eva he will free Uncle Tom to honor her wishes and atone for selling him. This reflects themes of guilt and redemption.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mr. Shelby does not adopt Topsy; she remains with the family.
Option B: Correct; Mr. Shelby promises to free Uncle Tom.
Option C: There is no promise to remarry.
Option D: Finding Harry is not part of the promise.

Mnemonic: "Free Tom for Eva's sake."

1705. According to Professor Hammer, which of the following is the central question explored by T.S. Eliot in "The Waste Land"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) How can a shared world be created out of the fundamentally different and private experiences of individual people?

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem explores the fragmentation of modern society and how individuals with diverse experiences can form a shared world.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the central theme as being about poetry's viability or universal poetic language.

Explanations: Eliot's "The Waste Land" depicts a fragmented society through various characters' personal struggles. The central question is how these private experiences can coalesce into a shared world, reflecting the diversity of human experience.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Focuses on poetry's viability, not the central theme of societal fragmentation.
Option B: Incorrect as the poem does not primarily explore universal poetic symbolism.
Option C: Correct, as it addresses the poem's central theme of creating a shared world from individual experiences.
Option D: Incorrect as the focus is not on understanding shared trauma but on forming a shared world.

Mnemonic: "Shared World from Private Voices"

1706. What do you mean by Plagiarism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A literary theft.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution, which is considered literary theft.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing plagiarism with other literary terms like "criticism" or "story building."

Explanations: Plagiarism involves presenting another person's work as your own without giving credit. This is unethical and can have serious consequences in academic and professional settings.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A story builder is a tool or method for creating stories, not related to theft.
Option B: A short story is a genre of writing, unrelated to plagiarism.
Option C: A literary theft accurately describes plagiarism.
Option D: A criticism of literature involves analysis, not theft.

Mnemonic: Plagiarism is like literary theft; always cite your source, it's the truth.

1707. A theme should always be written as.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A sentence or statement.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: A theme is a central idea or message in a literary work, typically expressed as a complete sentence or statement.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between a theme and a plot summary or a motif.

Explanations: A theme is best expressed as a sentence or statement to clearly convey the central idea. Phrases or single words are too vague, while lengthy summaries are more suited for plot details.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Themes are expressed as complete sentences or statements.
Option B: Incorrect. A phrase is too brief and vague.
Option C: Incorrect. One or two words cannot capture the complexity of a theme.
Option D: Incorrect. A summary of 5-8 sentences is too lengthy and detailed.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1708. What do you mean by Stream of Consciousness?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Amalgamation of present, past and future.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Stream of consciousness is a literary technique that presents the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings in a character's mind, capturing the amalgamation of present, past, and future experiences.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as a general sense of beauty or morality rather than a specific literary technique.

Explanations: Stream of consciousness captures the inner thoughts and feelings of a character, blending past, present, and future experiences. This technique is used to create a sense of realism and depth in characters.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sense of beauty is unrelated to the literary technique.
Option B: Sense of good and bad pertains to morality, not the technique.
Option C: Correctly describes the blending of past, present, and future in the character's mind.
Option D: Aestheticism relates to the appreciation of beauty, not the technique.

Mnemonic: SCoPF: Stream combines past, present, future.

1709. Who made a difference between 'poetry' and 'poem'

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Coleridge.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Samuel Taylor Coleridge distinguished between 'poetry' as the creative process and 'poem' as the finished work.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Coleridge's distinction with other literary critics' works.

Explanations: Coleridge defined 'poetry' as the imaginative process and 'poem' as the resultant work. This distinction is key in literary criticism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Coleridge made the distinction.
Option B: Incorrect. Joseph Addison focused on essays and periodicals.
Option C: Incorrect. Matthew Arnold wrote on poetry but did not make this specific distinction.
Option D: Incorrect. T.S. Eliot focused on modernist themes, not this distinction.

Mnemonic: Coleridge's Clear Cut: Poetry Process, Poem Product.

1710. In "The Yellow Wallpaper" what does Gilman suggest about madness?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) That it is an artificial patriarchal tool.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The story critiques how patriarchal structures contribute to women's madness by suppressing their autonomy.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the story as merely about mental illness rather than societal oppression.

Explanations: In "The Yellow Wallpaper," Gilman illustrates how the protagonist's madness is a result of her husband's patriarchal control and the oppressive societal norms of the time. The story portrays her confinement and lack of autonomy as leading to her mental breakdown, suggesting that madness is not an inherent condition but a construct imposed by patriarchal structures. This critique highlights the artificial nature of madness as a tool used to control and suppress women.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The story does not suggest containing madness but shows how containment leads to madness.
Option B: Correct. Madness is portrayed as a tool of patriarchal control.
Option C: Incorrect. The story focuses on the protagonist's madness, not men's madness.
Option D: Incorrect. While the story addresses women's liberation, it specifically ties madness to patriarchal oppression.

Mnemonic: Patriarchal Tools Cause Madness (PTCM)

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 114”

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 114”

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