English Literature MCQ

1771. Why is Thomas Hardy famous for?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) As a Novelist.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Thomas Hardy is primarily known for his novels, which explore themes of social class, morality, and human struggle.

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse Hardy's fame with his poetry, but his novels are his most celebrated works.

Explanations: Thomas Hardy is famous for his novels, which are marked by their deep psychological insight and critique of Victorian society. His works often feature tragic protagonists and explore complex moral issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Hardy is not known as a dramatist; his fame lies in his novels and poetry.
Option B: While Hardy wrote sonnets, this is not his primary claim to fame.
Option C: Hardy is renowned for his novels, which are his most significant contribution to literature.
Option D: Although Hardy was a poet, his fame is primarily as a novelist.

Mnemonic: Hardy's Heart in Novels

1772. 'The Rainbow' is a novel written by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) D.H. Lawrence.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: "The Rainbow" is a novel by D.H. Lawrence, exploring themes of love and social change.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Lawrence and other modernist authors like Woolf or Hemingway.

Explanations: D.H. Lawrence authored "The Rainbow," a novel examining family dynamics and societal evolution. Other options are incorrect as they pertain to different authors and works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ernest Hemingway wrote works like "The Old Man and the Sea," unrelated to "The Rainbow."
Option B: Virginia Woolf authored "Mrs. Dalloway," distinct in style and theme.
Option C: E.M. Forster wrote "Howards End," focusing on different themes.
Option D: D.H. Lawrence is the correct author of "The Rainbow."

Mnemonic: Lawrence's "Rainbow" in 1915, not Woolf or Hemingway.

1773. In The Dubliners, which best describes the order of the story arc?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Childhood, adolescence, maturity, public life.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The story arc in The Dubliners follows a progression from childhood to adolescence, then to maturity, and finally touches on public life.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the order of the stages or omitting the public life aspect.

Explanations: The Dubliners is structured to reflect the stages of life, starting with childhood in stories like "Araby," moving through adolescence in "The Boarding House," and ending with maturity and public life in "Grace." This progression mirrors the development of the characters and the themes of the collection.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because it reverses the order of childhood and maturity.
Option B: Incorrect because it places adolescence after maturity, which is not the case.
Option C: Correct as it accurately follows the sequence of childhood, adolescence, maturity, and public life.
Option D: Incorrect because it omits the public life stage, which is an important part of the story arc.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1774. Mr. Hardcastle is worried about Tony's.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Excessive drinking.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the understanding of character concerns in "She Stoops to Conquer."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Mr. Hardcastle's worries with Tony's job, education, or marriage instead of his drinking.

Explanations: In "She Stoops to Conquer," Mr. Hardcastle is explicitly concerned about Tony's excessive drinking, fearing it will ruin his life and reputation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mr. Hardcastle does not express concern about Tony's job.
Option B: Education is not a focus of Mr. Hardcastle's worries.
Option C: Marriage is not the primary issue here.
Option D: Excessive drinking is the main concern, as shown in the play.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1775. Who originated the term "objective correlative, " which is often used in formalist criticism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) T.S. Eliot.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "objective correlative" refers to the use of objects or events to evoke specific emotions in literature.

Common Mistakes: Confusing T.S. Eliot with other literary critics or authors.

Explanations: T.S. Eliot introduced the term in his essay "Hamlet and His Problems" to describe how emotions are conveyed through specific objects or events in literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: C.S. Lewis is known for fantasy literature and Christian apologetics, not for this term.
Option B: Virginia Woolf was a modernist writer, not the originator of this critical concept.
Option C: Matthew Arnold was a poet and cultural critic, unrelated to this term.
Option D: T.S. Eliot introduced the term in his literary criticism.

Mnemonic: Eliot's Objective Correlative Explains Emotions Clearly

1776. What does it mean for a society to have the "Illusion of Utopia"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) It means that the people in the society believe they are living in the best kind of society, better than what existed before and better than what else could exist now.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The "Illusion of Utopia" refers to a society where citizens believe their current state is the best possible, ignoring any flaws or alternatives.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as a physical utopia or a magic trick.

Explanations: In English literature, the "Illusion of Utopia" is a concept where society perceives itself as ideal, often masking underlying issues. This belief is explored in works like "1984" and "The Hunger Games," where societies present themselves as utopian but are dystopian in reality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; it misinterprets the term as a physical move to a utopia.
Option B: Incorrect; it trivializes the term into a magic trick.
Option C: Incorrect; the illusion does exist in societies.
Option D: Correct; it accurately describes the belief in an ideal society.

Mnemonic: Utopia's Illusion: Believing the Best, Seeing No Flaws.

1777. What caused the opponent to open fire on the sniper?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The sniper struck a match to light the cigarette.

Exam Relevance: SAT Literature Subject Test, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of cause and effect in a narrative context, specifically identifying actions that lead to consequences.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that any action would provoke a response, without considering the visibility and risk involved.

Explanations: Striking a match creates a visible spark, which would alert the opponent, leading them to open fire. This action is risky because it gives away the sniper's position.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Breaking a glass would not necessarily draw attention or provoke a response.
Option B: Opening fire in the dark would likely result in immediate return fire, not a specific action.
Option C: Striking a match creates a visible spark, alerting the opponent.
Option D: Waving over a parapet would be too risky and not a typical action.

Mnemonic: Strike a match, risk a fight.

1778. Age of Johnson is also known as-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Age of Sensibility.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Age of Johnson is associated with Samuel Johnson, a prominent literary figure, and is characterized by a focus on emotional expression and sensitivity in literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Age of Johnson with the Age of Pope, which is an earlier period dominated by neoclassical literature.

Explanations: The Age of Johnson is also known as the Age of Sensibility because it emphasizes emotional expression and sensitivity in literature, contrasting with the preceding Age of Reason.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The term "Age of Criticism" does not specifically refer to Johnson's era.
Option B: Incorrect. "Age of Love" is not a recognized term for this literary period.
Option C: Correct. The Age of Sensibility reflects the focus on emotional expression during Johnson's time.
Option D: Incorrect. The "Age of Pope" refers to an earlier period dominated by Alexander Pope.

Mnemonic: Johnson's Sensibility: Feelings First.

1779. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Indian autobiography genre?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Sovereignty.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, SAT Subject Test in Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Indian autobiography genre often includes themes like birth, assimilation, and religious elements, but sovereignty is not a typical feature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming sovereignty is a common theme in Indian autobiographies, when it is not.

Explanations: The Indian autobiography genre typically focuses on personal experiences, cultural identity, and religious practices. Sovereignty, which relates to political independence or self-governance, is not a common theme in this genre.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Birth is a common theme in autobiographies, as they often start with the author's early life.
Option B: Assimilation is relevant as it deals with cultural integration, a common experience in autobiographies.
Option C: Sovereignty is not a typical feature of the Indian autobiography genre.
Option D: Religious elements are often present in autobiographies, especially in Indian contexts.

Mnemonic: BARS: Birth, Assimilation, Religious, Sovereignty (not included).

1780. What has Dryden to say about the observance of the three Classical Dramatic Unities?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) He does not advocate their strict observance.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Dryden's views on the Classical Dramatic Unities emphasize flexibility and adaptation for English drama.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Dryden's stance as aligning with classical strictures rather than his critical adaptation.

Explanations: Dryden argued against the strict observance of the three Classical Dramatic Unities, advocating for their adaptation to enhance dramatic effect in English plays. He believed that rigid adherence could hinder creativity and the natural flow of a play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as Dryden criticized strict observance.
Option B: Correct, reflecting Dryden's advocacy for flexibility.
Option C: Incorrect, as Dryden provided specific critiques, not a free choice.
Option D: Incorrect, as Dryden explicitly addressed the issue.

Mnemonic: Dryden Dares to Deviate

1781. What did the mother do when she was in despair?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Called her children to her and spoke to them for hours

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of character actions in emotional contexts.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the mother's emotional state and the appropriate response to despair.

Explanations: The mother, feeling despair, chose to communicate with her children, indicating her need for connection and support. This action reflects her emotional state and desire for understanding.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Crying for help does not match the described action of speaking to her children.
Option B: Hurting her children is inconsistent with seeking solace through communication.
Option C: Speaking to her children aligns with her need to express her feelings and seek support.
Option D: Watching TV does not address her emotional state or provide a solution.

Mnemonic: Speak, not scream, in times of despair.

1782. Oliver convinces Charles to try to kill Orlando during

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A wrestling match

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the plot in Shakespeare's "As You Like It," specifically the confrontation between Orlando and his brother Oliver.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the wrestling match with other forms of combat or games mentioned in the play.

Explanations: In "As You Like It," Oliver, manipulated by Duke Frederick, challenges Orlando to a wrestling match with the intent to kill him. This event is a key plot point in the play, demonstrating the conflict between the brothers and the broader themes of betrayal and survival.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A game of Skittle is unrelated to the confrontation between Orlando and Oliver.
Option B: A fencing match does not occur in this context; the confrontation is a wrestling match.
Option C: A hunting trip is not the setting for the attempted murder of Orlando.
Option D: A wrestling match is the correct setting where Oliver attempts to kill Orlando.

Mnemonic: "Wrestling with Danger" - Remember the wrestling match as the dangerous confrontation.

1783. Heptametre is also called -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Fourteener.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Heptametre is a poetic metre consisting of seven metrical feet per line, also known as a fourteener due to its fourteen syllables.

Common Mistakes: Confusing heptametre with other metres like pentametre or hexametre.

Explanations: Heptametre is defined by seven metrical feet, each typically containing two syllables, totaling fourteen syllables. This structure is why it is also called a fourteener.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Postern line is not a recognized term for heptametre.
Option B: Fourteener correctly describes the fourteen-syllable structure of heptametre.
Option C: Meaningless line is unrelated to the definition of heptametre.
Option D: Extravagant metre is not a term associated with heptametre.

Mnemonic: Heptametre: 7 feet, 14 syllables – "Fourteener" for the count.

1784. Who did the Macbeths set up and blame for Duncan's murder?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The two guards to Duncan's chamber.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The Macbeths framed the guards to shift suspicion away from themselves.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse the princes or other characters as the ones blamed.

Explanations: The Macbeths killed Duncan and then placed the blame on the two guards by planting evidence and making them appear guilty. This was a strategic move to eliminate any suspicion from themselves.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Macbeths framed the guards by planting evidence and making them appear guilty.
Option B: Incorrect. Malcolm and Donalbain were the princes who fled after the murder, not the ones blamed.
Option C: Incorrect. Macduff and Lady Macduff were not involved in the setup.
Option D: Incorrect. Siward was a general, not involved in the murder plot.

Mnemonic: Guards, the blame, Macbeth's game.

1785. Which of the following statements offers the best definition of the term Bildungsroman?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) A story of one person's growth and development within a particular social order.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Bildungsroman is a literary genre focusing on the protagonist's personal and moral growth, often within a specific social context.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the genre as a tragedy or a success story rather than a coming-of-age narrative.

Explanations: The Bildungsroman genre emphasizes the protagonist's development and integration into society, highlighting themes of education, self-discovery, and social challenges.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Describes a tragic fall, not the growth central to Bildungsroman.
Option B: Accurately defines the genre's focus on personal and social development.
Option C: Focuses on economic success, unrelated to the genre's introspective nature.
Option D: Emphasizes returning to innocence, which is not a key theme.

Mnemonic: Bildungsroman: Build-up of a person within society.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 119”

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 119”

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