English Literature MCQ

1816. The construction of the railways had a great impact on British life and British fiction-particularly on how people judged time and distance. In which of the following novels does the difference between time and distance , as clocked by railways, appear specifically?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Dracula

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The impact of railways on time and distance perception in British fiction.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific focus on railways in Dracula compared to other novels.

Explanations: Dracula specifically addresses the impact of railways on time and distance perception. The novel uses the railway system to create tension and urgency, reflecting the societal changes brought by industrialization.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Jane Eyre focuses on personal growth and social issues, not railways.
Option B: Bleak House deals with legal and social themes, not railway impact.
Option C: The Sign of Four involves mystery and adventure, not railway influence.
Option D: Dracula uses railways to create tension and urgency, reflecting societal changes.

Mnemonic: Railways in Dracula: Time and Distance Clash

1817. Francis Bacon's The Advancement of Learning is a /an.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Philosophical Treatise

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Francis Bacon's *The Advancement of Learning* is a foundational work in English literature, known for its systematic exploration of knowledge and advocacy for the scientific method.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the genre with poetry or drama, rather than recognizing it as a philosophical work.

Explanations: The text is a philosophical treatise, structured to analyze and advance learning through observation and experimentation, reflecting Bacon's emphasis on empirical methods.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the work does not critique drama.
Option B: Incorrect; it is prose, not a narrative poem.
Option C: Correct; it is a philosophical treatise on knowledge.
Option D: Incorrect; it is not a love sonnet.

Mnemonic: Bacon's Treatise on Learning: Think Philosophy, Not Poetry.

1818. In "A Midsummer Nightâ€™s Dream, " who says "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" (III.ii.15)?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Puck.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The quote is a well-known line from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and is attributed to Puck.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse it with another character, especially if they are not familiar with the play's dialogue.

Explanations: Puck speaks the line in Act III, Scene ii, expressing amusement at the human characters' confusion.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Puck utters the line.
Option B: Incorrect, Nick Bottom is a human character.
Option C: Incorrect, Hippolyta does not say this line.
Option D: Incorrect, there is no character named Helene.

Mnemonic: Puck's Pique at People's Perplexity.

1819. Complete the following quote: "To be great is to be....."

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Misunderstood

Exam Relevance: SAT Literature Subject Test, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The quote reflects the idea that true greatness often involves being misunderstood.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the context of the quote or confusing it with similar sayings.

Explanations: The quote "To be great is to be misunderstood" is attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It highlights that achieving greatness often leads to being misunderstood, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who are great.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Saved" does not relate to the context of greatness and misunderstanding.
Option B: "A genius" is a possible interpretation but the quote specifically refers to being misunderstood, not genius.
Option C: "Intelligent" is unrelated to the quote's focus on misunderstanding.
Option D: "Misunderstood" directly matches the quote's message.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1820. According to many British Romantic poets, who is the protagonist of John Milton's "Paradise Lost"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Satan.

Exam Relevance: AQA A-Level English Literature, Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Romantic poets viewed "Paradise Lost" as a story centered on Satan's rebellion and tragic heroism, making him the protagonist.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Adam or Eve is the protagonist, as they are central characters but not the focus of the Romantic interpretation.

Explanations: The Romantic poets, such as Blake and Shelley, interpreted "Paradise Lost" as a story of Satan's defiance and individualism, aligning with Romantic ideals. This interpretation highlights Satan's role as a tragic hero, emphasizing his rebellion against God.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Satan is the protagonist in the Romantic interpretation, as he embodies defiance and individualism.
Option B: Adam is a central character but not the protagonist in this interpretation.
Option C: Eve's role is limited and not the focus of the Romantic analysis.
Option D: Christ is not a major character and does not serve as the protagonist.

Mnemonic: Satan's Story, Romantic's Glory

1821. Widow Douglas gives to Huckleberry Finn.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Permanent home and education.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the reader's ability to recall specific details about Widow Douglas's role in Huckleberry Finn's life.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to overlook that Widow Douglas provides both a home and education, focusing only on one aspect.

Explanations: Widow Douglas takes Huck into her home, providing him with a stable living environment. Additionally, she enrolls him in school, ensuring he receives an education. These two provisions are explicitly mentioned in the text, making option D the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The text does not mention Widow Douglas giving Huck money.
Option B: While Widow Douglas provides a permanent home, she also offers education, making this option incomplete.
Option C: Widow Douglas does provide education, but she also offers a permanent home, so this option is incomplete.
Option D: This option correctly identifies both the permanent home and education provided by Widow Douglas.

Mnemonic: "Widow D gives Huck H and E" (Home and Education).

1822. In the phrase, thy seed shall bruise our foe, the " seed" refers to:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Jesus Christ

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The phrase refers to a biblical prophecy about the Messiah defeating evil.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the biblical context or confusing it with other biblical symbols.

Explanations: The phrase is from Genesis 3:15, where "thy seed" refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would defeat evil. This is a key prophecy in Christian theology.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Tree of Knowledge is unrelated to the phrase, which refers to a descendant, not a tree.
Option B: Adam is the first man, not the specific seed mentioned in the prophecy.
Option C: Cain and Abel are Adam's sons, not the seed referred to in the prophecy.
Option D: Jesus Christ is the correct answer as he is the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Mnemonic: "Seed of Victory" - refers to Jesus Christ's victory over evil.

1823. "O my death mother! I am miserable, truly miserable! But yet, don't be frightened, I am honest! God, of his goodness, keep me so!" These lines characterize Samuel Richardson's Pamela in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) By emphasizing the character's fright.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition Exam

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of Samuel Richardson's Pamela, focusing on characterization through the epistolary form, themes of sexual morality, and sentimentality.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is misinterpreting the emotional tone, thinking the lines emphasize fright rather than honesty and sentimentality.

Explanations: The lines use the epistolary form to directly express Pamela's emotions, emphasizing her honesty and sexual morality. The sentimental style aims to evoke reader empathy. The focus is not on fright but on moral integrity and emotional appeal.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The epistolary form allows for personal, direct appeals, which is evident in Pamela's letters. This is correct.
Option B: The lines do not emphasize Pamela's fright; instead, they focus on her honesty and emotional state. This is incorrect.
Option C: Pamela's emphasis on sexual morality is a central theme in the novel. This is correct.
Option D: The sentimental style aims to make readers strongly identify with Pamela's feelings. This is correct.

1824. One purpose of LITERARY CRITICISM is described below: A formalist approach might enable us to choose between a reading which sees the dissolution of society in Lord of the Flies as being caused by too strict a suppression of the "bestial" side of man and one which sees it as resulting from too little suppression. We can look to the text and ask: What textual evidence is there for the suppression or indulgence of the "bestial" side of man? Does Ralph suppress Jack when he tries to indulge his bestial side in hunting? Does it appear from the text that an imposition of stricter law and order would have prevented the breakdown? Did it work in the "grownup" world of the novel? What purpose does this prescribe to?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) To help decide which is the better of two conflicting readings.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The purpose of a formalist approach in literary criticism is to analyze the text to evaluate conflicting interpretations.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the purpose with resolving general questions or forming broader judgments about literature.

Explanations: The formalist approach examines textual evidence to compare and evaluate two interpretations of *Lord of the Flies*. It focuses on whether suppression or indulgence of the "bestial" side leads to societal breakdown, helping decide which reading is more supported.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The purpose is not to resolve a general question but to evaluate conflicting readings.
Option B: Correct. The formalist approach evaluates which interpretation is better supported by the text.
Option C: Incorrect. The focus is not on forming broader judgments but on comparing specific readings.
Option D: Incorrect. Not all options are correct.

Mnemonic: "Formalists Focus on Facts to Fix Flaws in Fiction."

1825. Which one of the following phrases is not from Shakespeare?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 'A thing of beauty is joy forever'.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Shakespearean phrases and their origins.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing phrases from Shakespeare with those from other poets like Keats.

Explanations: Shakespeare is known for coining many phrases. 'Give the devil his due' appears in "Hamlet," 'Vanish into thin air' in "Othello," and 'More in sorrow than in anger' also in "Hamlet." 'A thing of beauty is joy forever' is from Keats' "Endymion," not Shakespeare.

Option Analysis:

Option A: From Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
Option B: From Shakespeare's "Othello."
Option C: From Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
Option D: From John Keats, not Shakespeare.

Mnemonic: Keats, not Shakespeare, wrote about beauty's eternal joy.

1826. The dramatist does not address his audience directly, but he speaks through his.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Characters

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, SAT Subject Test in English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In English literature, a dramatist communicates through the dialogue and actions of their characters rather than addressing the audience directly.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the dramatist's communication methods with other literary devices like thoughts or writing.

Explanations: A dramatist does not address the audience directly but conveys their message through the characters' dialogue and actions. This is a fundamental aspect of dramatic structure.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Dramatists communicate through characters' dialogue and actions.
Option B: Incorrect. Thoughts are internal and not spoken.
Option C: Incorrect. Writing refers to the script, not the method of communication.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is A.

Mnemonic: Dramatists Speak Through Characters (DSTC)

1827. The phrases which were used by Shakespeare such as 'as white as driven snow' of 'A Winter's Tale' and 'a tower of strength' of 'Richard III' are taken directly from

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The Old Testament.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Shakespeare frequently borrowed phrases and ideas from the Old Testament, which was a significant influence on his work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Shakespeare's phrases were inspired by classical literature like the Odyssey or Iliad, rather than religious texts.

Explanations: Shakespeare's phrases such as 'as white as driven snow' and 'a tower of strength' are direct quotations from the Old Testament, reflecting its profound influence on his writing.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Odyssey is a Greek epic and not a source for Shakespeare's biblical references.
Option B: The Old Testament is the correct source, as Shakespeare often drew from biblical texts.
Option C: Beowulf is an Old English epic unrelated to Shakespeare's biblical phrases.
Option D: The Iliad is another Greek epic, not connected to Shakespeare's use of Old Testament references.

Mnemonic: Biblical Bard: Shakespeare's phrases often come from the Bible.

1828. The only play by Shakespeare which confirms to the classical unities is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Twelfth Night.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The classical unities require a play to have unity of time, place, and action. "Twelfth Night" adheres to these by being set in one location, covering a short timeframe, and focusing on a single plot.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet" conform to the unities due to their tragic nature, but they do not meet all three criteria.

Explanations: "Twelfth Night" is set entirely in Illyria, spans a short period, and revolves around a central plot without major subplots, thus confirming to the classical unities.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Hamlet" spans multiple days and locations, with several subplots, violating all three unities.
Option B: "Twelfth Night" is set in one place, covers a short time, and has a single plot, thus confirming to the unities.
Option C: "Romeo and Juliet" includes multiple settings and the feud between families as a subplot, thus not adhering to the unities.
Option D: Incorrect, as "Twelfth Night" does conform to the classical unities.

Mnemonic: Twelfth Night, Single Site, Short Time.

1829. Which poet is not always bound up with the reformer?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Tennyson

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of poets' associations with reformist movements and their primary themes.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Tennyson's focus on nature and personal themes with other poets' reformist inclinations.

Explanations: Tennyson's poetry often centers on nature, personal emotions, and romantic themes, unlike the reformist leanings of Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Pope.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Wordsworth was associated with radical political views and Romanticism.
Option B: Coleridge was connected to Romanticism and had interests in social reform.
Option C: Pope's satirical works often critiqued society, aligning with reformist ideals.
Option D: Tennyson focused on nature and personal themes, not reformist movements.

1830. Complete the following sentence. The scientific revolution paralleled Enlightenment political thought and political revolutions through its similar:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Emphasis on the world being governed by laws that could be discerned through rational exploration.

Exam Relevance: AP European History, Cambridge A Level History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The scientific revolution and Enlightenment shared a belief in rational exploration and natural laws, influencing political thought and revolutions.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the focus on reason over tradition or emotion.

Explanations: The scientific revolution emphasized discovering natural laws through reason, aligning with Enlightenment ideas of rational governance. This connection fostered political revolutions advocating for rational, law-based societies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; both movements rejected traditional authority.
Option B: Correct; both emphasized rational exploration of natural laws.
Option C: Incorrect; classical scholarship was not the defining feature.
Option D: Incorrect; reason, not emotion, was emphasized.

Mnemonic: "Reason Rules, Laws Lead"

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 122”

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 122”

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