English Literature MCQ

1831. Who is the writer of 'Tithonus'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A. Lord Tennyson.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of the author of the poem 'Tithonus'.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing the poet with other literary figures from the same period.

Explanations: 'Tithonus' is a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, focusing on themes of immortality and the human condition. The other options are incorrect as they refer to different authors known for plays rather than poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as 'Tithonus' is authored by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Option B: Incorrect, George Bernard Shaw was a playwright, not the author of 'Tithonus'.
Option C: Incorrect, Christopher Marlowe was an Elizabethan playwright, not the author of this poem.
Option D: Incorrect, William Shakespeare was a playwright and poet, but not the author of 'Tithonus'.

Mnemonic: T for Tennyson, T for Tithonus.

1832. In what year was the First Folio published?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) 1623.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The First Folio is a collection of William Shakespeare's plays, published posthumously.

Common Mistakes: Misremembering the publication date or confusing it with other significant dates in Shakespeare's life.

Explanations: The First Folio was published in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare's death. It was compiled by his fellow actors to preserve his works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 1626 is incorrect because it is three years after the actual publication date.
Option B: 1621 is incorrect because it is two years before the actual publication date.
Option C: 1623 is correct as it is the year the First Folio was published.
Option D: 1629 is incorrect because it is six years after the actual publication date.

Mnemonic: "First Folio, 1623" - associate the number with the event.

1833. Aristotle's views on tragedy are to be found in his famous book.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Poetics

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Aristotle's analysis of tragedy is found in his treatise "Poetics."

Common Mistakes: Confusing "Catharsis" as a book title instead of a concept within "Poetics."

Explanations: Aristotle's "Poetics" is where he discusses tragedy, including elements like plot and catharsis. Other options are unrelated or incorrect titles.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as "Poetics" contains Aristotle's theories on tragedy.
Option B: Incorrect; "Catharsis" is a concept in "Poetics," not a book.
Option C: Incorrect; "Politic" refers to Aristotle's political works.
Option D: Incorrect; "Utopia" is by Thomas More.

Mnemonic: Aristotle's Poetics on Tragedy (APT)

1834. Falls in love with Shylock's daughter.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Lorenzo.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character relationships in *The Merchant of Venice*.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Lorenzo with Bassanio or Gratiano, who are also friends of Bassanio.

Explanations: In *The Merchant of Venice*, Shylock's daughter Jessica falls in love with Lorenzo, a friend of Bassanio. Their elopement is a significant plot point that contributes to Shylock's emotional conflict and the unfolding of the play's events.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Antonio is a merchant and Bassanio's friend, not involved with Jessica.
Option B: Bassanio is the suitor of Portia, not Jessica.
Option C: Gratiano marries Nerissa, Portia's maid, not Jessica.
Option D: Lorenzo is the suitor of Jessica, Shylock's daughter.

Mnemonic: Lorenzo loves Jessica, leaving Shylock lonely.

1835. During the Inter-war years one finds the resurgence of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Poetry.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Inter-war years saw a resurgence of Poetry as writers explored themes of modernity, alienation, and social change.

Common Mistakes: One might confuse the resurgence of Drama or One-act plays, which were present but not central to the literary revival of the time.

Explanations: During the Inter-war years, Poetry experienced a significant revival. Poets like T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden explored themes of modernity and alienation, contributing to a rich literary landscape. This resurgence was part of a broader cultural and intellectual movement that sought to make sense of the post-war world.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Drama was present but not the dominant form that resurged.
Option B: Essays were common but did not experience a significant resurgence.
Option C: One-act plays were part of the theatrical scene but not central to the literary revival.
Option D: Poetry saw a significant revival with innovative themes and styles.

Mnemonic: Inter-war years, Poetry's rise, Themes of strife and human insight.

1836. What is anthology?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Collection of poems.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: An anthology is a collection of literary works, such as poems, short stories, or essays.

Common Mistakes: Confusing anthology with other fields like entomology (insects) or ichthyology (fish).

Explanations: An anthology is a compilation of literary works, often from different authors, under a single theme. It is not limited to poems but commonly includes them.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Anthology includes poems.
Option B: Incorrect. Refers to insects, not literature.
Option C: Incorrect. Refers to fish, unrelated to anthologies.
Option D: Incorrect. Refers to the study of poetry, not a collection.

Mnemonic: Anthology: "A collection of literary works, like a 'collection' of insects is entomology."

1837. 'Withdrawal from an uncongenial world of escape either to death or more often, to an ideal dream world', is the theme of Tennyson's:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Lotos Eaters

Exam Relevance: Cambridge IGCSE, A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The theme of withdrawal from the real world into an idealized, escapist realm is central to "The Lotos Eaters."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the themes of the other poems, such as mistaking "Ulysses" for a poem about withdrawal rather than adventure.

Explanations: "The Lotos Eaters" portrays the sailors' escape into a dream-like state induced by the lotos flower, symbolizing withdrawal from reality. This aligns with the theme of seeking refuge in an ideal world.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Ulysses" focuses on adventure and restlessness, not withdrawal.
Option B: "The Palace of Art" deals with artistic isolation, not escape to an ideal world.
Option C: Correct, as it explores withdrawal into an escapist realm.
Option D: Incorrect, as the correct answer is among the options.

Mnemonic: Lotos for Lapse into Laziness

1838. Who is author of the book 'Of Human Bondage'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) William Somerset Maugham.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the authorship of a specific literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the author with other prominent English novelists.

Explanations: 'Of Human Bondage' is a well-known novel by William Somerset Maugham, published in 1915. It is a semi-autobiographical work that explores themes of love, ambition, and personal struggle. The other options are incorrect because they are associated with different authors and works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Charles Dickens wrote 'Great Expectations' and other classic novels, not 'Of Human Bondage'.
Option B: William Somerset Maugham is the correct author of 'Of Human Bondage'.
Option C: Jane Austen wrote 'Pride and Prejudice' and other novels of manners, not 'Of Human Bondage'.
Option D: D. H. Lawrence wrote 'Sons and Lovers' and other modernist works, not 'Of Human Bondage'.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1839. Which was NOT a characteristic of the Renaissance?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The development of social insurance programs.

Exam Relevance: AP European History, SAT Subject Test in World History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Renaissance was characterized by a focus on humanism, individuality, and rationality, but not by the development of social insurance programs, which emerged much later.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Renaissance with later historical periods that introduced social welfare systems.

Explanations: The Renaissance emphasized human potential, individual achievements, and rational thinking. Social insurance programs are a modern concept, not associated with the Renaissance period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Renaissance valued individuality, as seen in its focus on personal expression in art and literature.
Option B: Confidence in human rationality was central to Renaissance humanism, which sought to understand the world through reason.
Option C: Merchant oligarchies were a feature of Renaissance city-states, where wealthy merchants held significant political influence.
Option D: Social insurance programs emerged much later, during the development of the modern welfare state, and were not part of the Renaissance.

Mnemonic: Renaissance: Reason, Individuality, Art, and Wealth (not Welfare)

1840. Virginia Woolf belonged to the.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Bloomsbury Group.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Bloomsbury Group was a collective of English writers, intellectuals, and artists in the early 20th century, including Virginia Woolf.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the Bloomsbury Group with other literary or historical groups like the University Wits or the Naughty Nineties.

Explanations: Virginia Woolf was a key member of the Bloomsbury Group, known for its influence on modernism in literature and the arts.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Virginia Woolf was a prominent member of the Bloomsbury Group.
Option B: Incorrect. The Naughty Nineties refers to a late 19th-century cultural period, unrelated to Woolf.
Option C: Incorrect. The University Wits were 16th-17th-century playwrights, not connected to Woolf.
Option D: Incorrect. The Rosemary Group is not a recognized literary group associated with Woolf.

Mnemonic: "Bloom for Bloomsbury" - associate the group's name with its members.

1841. Which type of fiction has made threatening and gloomy atmosphere?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Gothic

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Gothic fiction is characterized by a dark, eerie, and threatening atmosphere, often involving supernatural elements and isolated settings.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the defining features of Gothic fiction, such as confusing it with other genres like historical or picaresque.

Explanations: Gothic fiction intentionally creates a gloomy and unsettling environment to enhance the sense of mystery and fear, often through settings like castles or haunted mansions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Historical fiction focuses on past events and settings but does not inherently create a threatening or gloomy atmosphere.
Option B: Gothic fiction is known for its dark, eerie, and threatening atmosphere, making it the correct answer.
Option C: Autobiographical fiction is based on real-life experiences and does not necessarily have a gloomy tone.
Option D: Picaresque fiction typically involves humorous or satirical adventures, not a dark or gloomy atmosphere.

Mnemonic: Gothic = Gloomy Atmosphere

1842. Who was "Fortinbras"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Son to the king of Norway.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Fortinbras is a character in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," identified as the son of the King of Norway.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the relationships between characters in "Hamlet" can lead to confusion about Fortinbras's identity.

Explanations: Fortinbras is introduced in "Hamlet" as the son of the King of Norway. This is explicitly stated in the play, making it a straightforward fact to recall.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Claudius's son is not Fortinbras.
Option B: Correct. Fortinbras is the son of the King of Norway.
Option C: Incorrect. Ophelia's lover is Hamlet, not Fortinbras.
Option D: Incorrect. Fortinbras is not Hamlet's friend.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1843. The all-pervading mood in the novels of Hardy is that of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Pessimism.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The novels of Thomas Hardy are characterized by a mood of pessimism, reflecting themes of fate, tragedy, and the struggle against a harsh universe.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Hardy's pessimism with a more positive outlook, such as optimism or celebration.

Explanations: Hardy's works often depict characters facing unavoidable suffering, contributing to a somber and tragic mood. This aligns with the concept of pessimism, as his outlook is marked by despair and resignation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Enthusiasm is incorrect because Hardy's works do not reflect a positive or excited mood.
Option B: Celebration is incorrect because his novels rarely celebrate life or human achievements.
Option C: Optimism is incorrect because Hardy's outlook is not hopeful or positive.
Option D: Pessimism is correct because Hardy's works reflect a somber and tragic mood.

Mnemonic: Hardy's Hardy, Pessimistic Mood.

1844. Between which movements do historians situate literature in the Middle Ages?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Roman departure and the Renaissance.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Middle Ages in English literature are situated between the Roman departure and the Renaissance.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the chronological placement of literary periods.

Explanations: The Middle Ages in English literature spanned from the departure of the Romans in the 5th century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the late 14th to early 15th century. This period includes works like Beowulf and the Canterbury Tales.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The English Reformation and Elizabethan Age are part of the early modern period, not the Middle Ages.
Option B: The Civil War and Restoration occurred in the 17th century, far beyond the Middle Ages.
Option C: Correct. The Middle Ages are situated between the Roman departure and the Renaissance.
Option D: Romanticism and the Enlightenment are 18th and 19th-century movements, not part of the Middle Ages.

Mnemonic: ROME to RENAISSANCE

1845. Which of the following does NOT accurately describe Robinson Crusoe's and Oroonoko's relationship to central features of the early English novel?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Where Oroonoko foregrounds supernatural agents, Robinson Crusoe avoids religion completely.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The early English novel often explored themes of empire, class, and realism. Robinson Crusoe emphasizes individual survival and practicality, while Oroonoko incorporates elements of the supernatural and defends aristocratic values.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the role of religion in Robinson Crusoe, which is present but not central, unlike Oroonoko's supernatural elements.

Explanations: Robinson Crusoe avoids overt religious themes, focusing on survival and self-reliance. Oroonoko, however, includes supernatural elements, reflecting its defense of the aristocracy and critique of colonialism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Robinson Crusoe avoids religion, while Oroonoko includes supernatural elements.
Option B: Incorrect. Both are set in South America, but this doesn't reflect the main themes of the early novel.
Option C: Incorrect. Robinson Crusoe doesn't focus on middle-class struggles.
Option D: Incorrect. Both claim historical accuracy, but this isn't the main focus.

Mnemonic: "Oroonoko's magic vs. Crusoe's reality."

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 123”

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 123”

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