English Literature MCQ

1801. The Anglo-Saxon or Old English period start on?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) 450.

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Test in Literature, AP English Literature and Composition, University entrance exams focusing on literary history.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Old English period, also known as the Anglo-Saxon period, began in the mid-5th century with the arrival of Germanic tribes in Britain.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the date with other historical events or round it incorrectly.

Explanations: The Old English period began around 450 AD with the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in Britain. This date marks the start of the Germanic influence on the English language and culture.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 430 is too early and does not align with the historical timeline of the Anglo-Saxon settlement.
Option B: 450 is the correct date as it marks the beginning of the Old English period with the arrival of Germanic tribes.
Option C: 440 is close but not accurate, as the key events occurred around 449 AD.
Option D: 420 is far too early and does not correspond to any significant events in the context of the Old English period.

Mnemonic: "450 AD, the Anglo-Saxons arrived, bringing their language and culture to Britain."

1802. The key principles of psychoanalytical criticism are based on the views expressed by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Sigmund Freud.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Psychoanalytical criticism is based on Freud's theories of the unconscious mind and psychological defense mechanisms.

Common Mistakes: Confusing psychoanalysis with other theories like structuralism or deconstruction.

Explanations: Sigmund Freud's theories form the foundation of psychoanalytical criticism, focusing on the unconscious mind and psychological defense mechanisms. His work is central to analyzing texts for underlying psychological themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Freud's theories are the basis of psychoanalytical criticism.
Option B: Incorrect. Saussure is associated with structural linguistics, not psychoanalysis.
Option C: Incorrect. Jung's theories, while related, are distinct from Freud's psychoanalysis.
Option D: Incorrect. Derrida is known for deconstruction, not psychoanalytical criticism.

Mnemonic: Freud is the Freud of psychoanalysis.

1803. The Gothic novel is a type of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Romance.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Gothic novel is a subgenre of Romance literature, characterized by elements like the supernatural, mystery, and dark settings.

Common Mistakes: Mistakenly associating Gothic novels with specific national literatures like German or Italian.

Explanations: The Gothic novel falls under the Romance genre, which includes works emphasizing emotion, adventure, and the supernatural. It is not tied to a specific country's literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gothic novels are not a type of German literature.
Option B: They are not Spanish literature.
Option C: Correct, as Gothic is a subgenre of Romance.
Option D: Gothic novels are not Italian literature.

Mnemonic: "Gothic is a Romance, not a country's home."

1804. Is regarded as Prince of all essayists.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Charles Lamb.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Charles Lamb is recognized as the "Prince of Essayists" for his contributions to the essay form.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between essayists and novelists, such as Jane Austen.

Explanations: Charles Lamb's essays, particularly "Essays of Elia," showcase his unique style and deep understanding of human nature, earning him the title of the "Prince of Essayists."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Charles Lamb is known as the "Prince of Essayists."
Option B: Incorrect. Jane Austen is a novelist, not an essayist.
Option C: Incorrect. Hazlitt was an essayist but not given the title.
Option D: Incorrect. Thomas De Quincey is known for his autobiographical works.

Mnemonic: "Elia's Essays Elevate Lamb to Prince."

1805. Who wrote: "There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt."?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Henrik Ibsen.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of a literary quote and its correct attribution to the author.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Henrik Ibsen with other authors known for writing about social issues or financial independence.

Explanations: Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright, wrote the quote reflecting his views on financial dependency and its effects on personal freedom. The other options are incorrect as the quote is not attributed to them.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Henry David Thoreau wrote about self-reliance but not this quote.
Option B: Benjamin Franklin wrote on finance but not this specific quote.
Option C: Robert Browning focused on psychological themes, not this quote.
Option D: Henrik Ibsen authored the quote, discussing financial independence.

Mnemonic: Ibsen's Insight on Independence: No Debt, True Freedom.

1806. Which work was published first?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Blake's "Songs of Innocence".

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of publication dates in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the publication dates of Romantic and Gothic works.

Explanations: Blake's "Songs of Innocence" was published in 1789, predating Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (1818), Lord Byron's "Don Juan" (1821), and Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" (1820). This makes it the earliest work among the options.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Published in 1789.
Option B: Incorrect. Published in 1818.
Option C: Incorrect. Published in 1821.
Option D: Incorrect. Published in 1820.

Mnemonic: Remember: Blake's "Innocence" in the late 1700s, before the 19th-century works of Shelley, Byron, and Scott.

1807. Lauren Beth Signore's essay, "Anne of Green Gables: The Transformation from Bildungsroman to Romantic Comedy", argues that Anne of Green Gables is ultimately what kind of character?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A romantic awaiting true love.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The essay highlights Anne's transformation into a romantic character who anticipates love, shifting the story from a Bildungsroman to a romantic comedy.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Anne's character as cynical or delusional rather than romantic.

Explanations: Anne's romantic nature and her anticipation of true love define her character, aligning with the genre shift in the story.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Anne's romantic nature and anticipation of love are central to her character.
Option B: Incorrect, as Anne is optimistic, not cynical.
Option C: Incorrect, as Anne has a rich imagination but understands reality.
Option D: Incorrect, as Anne is cheerful and resilient, not dark-minded.

Mnemonic: Anne's Romance Awaits Love

1808. Greek theater was often of what genre?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A and B only

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Greek theater primarily featured tragedy and comedy as its main genres.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the primary genres of Greek theater could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Greek theater was dominated by two main genres: tragedy and comedy. Tragedy explored serious themes and human struggles, while comedy focused on humor and satire. These were the primary forms, making options A and B correct.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Tragedy was a primary genre in Greek theater.
Option B: Comedy was also a primary genre in Greek theater.
Option C: Romance was not a primary genre in Greek theater.
Option D: Correctly identifies both tragedy and comedy as the main genres.

Mnemonic: Tragedy and Comedy are the Twin Pillars of Greek Theater.

1809. The Petrarchan sonnet is composed of how many lines?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 14.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, SAT Subject Test in Literature, British A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Petrarchan sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and structure.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Petrarchan sonnet with other poetic forms that have different line counts, such as the Shakespearean sonnet, which also has 14 lines but a different structure.

Explanations: The Petrarchan sonnet is composed of 14 lines divided into an octave and a sestet. This structure is essential to its form and distinguishes it from other poetic forms.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 9 lines is incorrect because it does not match the 14-line structure of a Petrarchan sonnet.
Option B: 10 lines is incorrect because it does not match the 14-line structure of a Petrarchan sonnet.
Option C: 12 lines is incorrect because it does not match the 14-line structure of a Petrarchan sonnet.
Option D: 14 lines is correct because it accurately reflects the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet.

Mnemonic: Fourteen lines make a Petrarchan sonnet, just like a baker's dozen plus one.

1810. Which of the following is NOT a theme of "The Castle of Otranto"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The destruction of humanity through scientific experimentation.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: "The Castle of Otranto" explores themes of supernatural forces, violence disrupting normal life, and the influence of the past on the present.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the novel's focus on supernatural and historical themes rather than scientific elements.

Explanations: The novel does not involve scientific experimentation. Its themes revolve around the supernatural, violence, and the past's influence on the present.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The novel features supernatural events overwhelming human efforts, such as the giant helmet crushing Alfonso. This is a central theme.
Option B: The story is marked by violent acts, like Manfred's murder of Hippolita, which disrupt the peace of the castle. This is a key theme.
Option C: The novel does not address scientific experimentation or its destructive effects on humanity. This is unrelated to the text.
Option D: The return of the past is a major theme, as seen in the reappearance of characters and events from Otranto's history. This is central to the plot.

Mnemonic: Otranto's themes: Supernatural, Violence, Past-Present—no Science!

1811. Who is the greatest dramatist of all times?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) William Shakespeare.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist due to his influence, language mastery, and creation of timeless characters.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the distinction between poets and dramatists may lead to incorrect choices.

Explanations: William Shakespeare's works are foundational to dramatic literature, featuring complex characters and universal themes that remain relevant. His influence on English literature is unparalleled.

Option Analysis:

Option A: George Bernard Shaw is a significant dramatist but not as universally acclaimed as Shakespeare.
Option B: William Shakespeare is the correct answer due to his unparalleled contributions to drama.
Option C: William Wordsworth is a poet, not a dramatist.
Option D: Jonathan Swift is a prose writer and satirist, not primarily known for drama.

Mnemonic: Shakespeare's the Star of Drama.

1812. Who was both a poet and a Priest?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) George Herbert.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of poets who also held religious roles.

Common Mistakes: Mistakenly identifying other poets as priests.

Explanations: George Herbert was a priest and a poet, known for "The Temple." The others were poets but not priests.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Andrew Marvell was a metaphysical poet, not a priest.
Option B: George Herbert was both a priest and a poet.
Option C: Edmund Spenser was a major Elizabethan poet, not a priest.
Option D: Robert Browning was a Victorian poet, not a priest.

Mnemonic: Herbert the Priest, Herbert the Poet.

1813. Nathanial Hawthorne was America's leading transcendentalist thinker.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) False.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Nathanial Hawthorne is associated with the Romantic literary movement, not transcendentalism.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Hawthorne with transcendentalist thinkers like Emerson or Thoreau.

Explanations: Nathanial Hawthorne is known for his works in the Romantic tradition, focusing on themes like sin and guilt. Transcendentalists, such as Emerson, emphasized nature and intuition. Hawthorne's works, like "The Scarlet Letter," explore darker human psychology, aligning with Romanticism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as Hawthorne is not a transcendentalist.
Option B: Correct, as Hawthorne is associated with Romanticism, not transcendentalism.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic provided.

1814. Astrophel and Stella was published in

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 1591.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The publication year of Sir Philip Sidney's "Astrophel and Stella" is a key fact in English literature.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the publication year with other works from the same period.

Explanations: "Astrophel and Stella" was published in 1591, after Sir Philip Sidney's death. This is a well-documented fact in literary history.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 1599 is incorrect; this is after the publication of "Astrophel and Stella."
Option B: 1579 is incorrect; this is before Sidney's death and the work's completion.
Option C: 1557 is incorrect; this is far before Sidney's lifetime.
Option D: 1591 is correct; this is the year the work was published posthumously.

Mnemonic: Sidney's Stella in '91

1815. Which Booker Prize winning novel is chossen as the 'the best novel out of all the winners' on its 25th and 40th anniversary

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Midnight's Children

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Booker Prize-winning novels and their recognition over time.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the anniversaries or the novels associated with them.

Explanations: Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie won the Booker Prize in 1981. It was selected as the best novel among all Booker Prize winners on the 25th and 40th anniversaries of the prize. This recognition highlights its literary significance and enduring impact.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Holiday is not a Booker Prize-winning novel.
Option B: The Conservationist is a novel by Alan Paton, but it is not a Booker Prize winner.
Option C: Midnight's Children is the correct answer as it was chosen as the best novel on the 25th and 40th anniversaries of the Booker Prize.
Option D: Something to Answer For is not a Booker Prize-winning novel.

Mnemonic: Midnight's Children won twice, on the 25th and 40th, as the best of the Booker Prize.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 121”

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 121”

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