English Literature MCQ

1876. Who is believed to be suffering from Oedipus Complex:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Oedipus.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Oedipus Complex refers to a child's unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent.

Common Mistakes: Hamlet and Macbeth are often confused with Oedipus due to their tragic flaws, but they do not exhibit the Oedipus Complex.

Explanations: Oedipus unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, fulfilling the Oedipus Complex as described by Freud. This is a direct application of the concept.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Oedipus's actions align with the Oedipus Complex.
Option B: Hamlet's conflict is with his uncle, not his parents, so it doesn't fit.
Option C: Macbeth's ambition doesn't involve a parent-child sexual dynamic.
Option D: Incorrect because Oedipus does exhibit the complex.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1877. In which novel the feeling of pity and terror aroused?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Gothic novel.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Gothic novels are characterized by their ability to evoke strong emotions such as pity and terror through their use of dark themes, supernatural elements, and suspenseful narratives.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Gothic novels with other genres like historical or science fiction, which do not focus on evoking these specific emotions.

Explanations: Gothic novels are designed to create a sense of fear and empathy in readers through their exploration of dark themes, often involving elements like castles, ghosts, and tragic events. These elements work together to evoke feelings of pity and terror.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Historical novels focus on historical events and settings, not necessarily on evoking pity and terror.
Option B: Science fiction novels explore futuristic or technological themes, which do not inherently aim to evoke these emotions.
Option C: Picaresque novels are satirical and focus on the adventures of a central character, not on creating feelings of pity and terror.
Option D: Gothic novels are specifically known for evoking strong emotions like fear and empathy through their dark and suspenseful narratives.

Mnemonic: "Gothic novels gothic, evoke gothic feelings."

1878. What is the rhyme scheme of Spenser's Sonnet No. - 75?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) ABAB BCBC CDCD EE.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Spenser's Sonnet No. 75 uses the Spenserian sonnet form, which has a specific rhyme scheme.

Common Mistakes: Misidentifying the rhyme scheme as Shakespearean or Petrarchan.

Explanations: Spenser's Sonnet No. 75 follows the Spenserian sonnet structure with the rhyme scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. This pattern is distinct from other sonnet forms and is characteristic of Spenser's work.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as it represents a different and non-standard rhyme scheme.
Option B: Correct, matches the Spenserian sonnet rhyme scheme.
Option C: Incorrect, represents a Petrarchan sonnet structure.
Option D: Incorrect, represents a Shakespearean sonnet structure.

Mnemonic: "ABAB, BCBC, CDCD, EE" for Spenserian sonnet rhyme.

1879. 'End Game' is written by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Beckett.

Exam Relevance: Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) A Level English Literature, SAT Subject Test in Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of a literary work with its author, specifically within the context of modernist and existentialist literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Samuel Beckett with other modernist authors like Ernest Hemingway or Somerset Maugham, who wrote in different genres and styles.

Explanations: 'S End Game' is a play by Samuel Beckett, a key figure in the Theatre of the Absurd. It explores themes of existentialism and the human condition, which are central to Beckett's work. Hemingway and Maugham are associated with different literary styles and themes, making them incorrect choices.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ernest Hemingway is known for his novels and short stories, not for writing 'End Game.'
Option B: Somerset Maugham wrote in various genres but is not associated with 'End Game.'
Option C: Samuel Beckett is the correct author of 'End Game.'
Option D: 'None of these' is incorrect because Beckett is the correct author.

Mnemonic: "Beckett's 'End Game' ends with themes of life's absurdity."

1880. The difference between a satire and a comedy is that:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Satire teaches a clear moral lesson.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Satire uses humor and irony to critique societal issues, aiming to provoke thought or change.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding satire as purely comedic without a critical purpose.

Explanations: Satire differs from comedy by using humor to critique societal flaws, often teaching a moral lesson. Comedy primarily aims to entertain without necessarily addressing deeper issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Satire is not just for laughs; it has a critical purpose.
Option B: Satire teaches a clear moral lesson by exposing societal flaws.
Option C: Pratfalls and mistaken identities are elements of slapstick comedy, not satire.
Option D: This describes the structure of certain plays, not the essence of satire.

Mnemonic: Satire Serves Society by Showing Shortcomings.

1881. Identify the novel in which the character of Charlotte Lucas figures

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Pride and Prejudice.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Charlotte Lucas is a character from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Common Mistakes: Misremembering the novel or confusing it with other works by different authors.

Explanations: Charlotte Lucas is a character in "Pride and Prejudice," known for her practical nature and marriage to Mr. Collins. The other options are novels by different authors and do not feature Charlotte Lucas.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens does not include Charlotte Lucas.
Option B: "The Power and the Glory" by Graham Greene is unrelated to Charlotte Lucas.
Option C: "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is about boys stranded on an island, not related to Charlotte Lucas.
Option D: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen features Charlotte Lucas as a character.

Mnemonic: Charlotte in Pride, not in Flies or Power.

1882. ..... does not belong to the New School of Poetry of the Eighteenth century.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) James Thomson.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The New School of Poetry in the Eighteenth century refers to Romantic poets who broke away from traditional neoclassical styles.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between poets of the Romantic era and earlier neoclassical poets.

Explanations: James Thomson was a neoclassical poet of the Augustan age, while the others were part of the Romantic movement.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Robert Burns was a Romantic poet and part of the New School.
Option B: James Thomson was a neoclassical poet, not part of the New School.
Option C: William Blake was a Romantic poet and part of the New School.
Option D: James Macpherson was associated with Romanticism and the New School.

Mnemonic: "Thomson is the old, the rest are bold."

1883. Which poet would be most likely to write a poem reflecting upon the psychological changes he has undergone since his youth?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) William Wordsworth

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: William Wordsworth is known for his introspective and autobiographical poetry, often reflecting on personal growth and emotional development.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Wordsworth's style with that of other Romantic poets, such as Coleridge or Blake, who focus on different themes.

Explanations: William Wordsworth's poetry often explores personal and psychological changes, making him the most likely to write such a poem. His works frequently delve into introspection and emotional development, themes central to reflecting on changes since youth.

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Blake focuses on mystical themes and social criticism, not personal psychological changes.
Option B: John Keats is known for his sensual and aesthetic poetry, not introspective reflections.
Option C: Samuel Taylor Coleridge is associated with philosophical and Romantic themes, not specifically personal psychological reflection.
Option D: William Wordsworth is known for introspective and autobiographical poetry, making him the correct choice.

Mnemonic: "Wordsworth Writes Within"

1884. The most famous work of literature written in Old English is.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Beowulf.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Beowulf is the most famous Old English literary work, an epic poem.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Beowulf with historical records like The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Explanations: Beowulf is the most famous Old English literary work, an epic poem that reflects the culture and values of the Anglo-Saxons. The other options are historical documents, not literary works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Beowulf is the most famous Old English literary work.
Option B: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a historical record, not a literary work.
Option C: The Ecclesiastical History is a historical text by Bede, not a literary work.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1885. Which of the following is a requirement of a dramatic monologue?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) It has a speaker as well as an implied reader.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A dramatic monologue requires a speaker and an implied listener to create a sense of dialogue and reveal the speaker's thoughts and emotions.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between a monologue and other literary forms like parody or Romantic poetry.

Explanations: A dramatic monologue is characterized by a speaker addressing an implied listener, which is essential for its structure and purpose. This interaction allows the speaker to explore their inner thoughts and emotions, making it a key feature of the form.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. A dramatic monologue requires both a speaker and an implied listener.
Option B: Incorrect. Parody is not a requirement of a dramatic monologue.
Option C: Incorrect. "Spontaneous overflow of emotion" is associated with Romantic poetry, not dramatic monologues.
Option D: Incorrect. While some monologues use ordinary language, it is not a defining requirement.

Mnemonic: "A dramatic monologue needs a speaker and a silent listener."

1886. Who is the middle-aged servant in the Petkoff's house?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Nicola.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of characters in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise if one mixes up characters from different plays or contexts.

Explanations: In Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest," Nicola is the middle-aged butler who serves the Petkoff family. The other options refer to different characters or roles unrelated to this specific play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Nicola is the correct middle-aged servant in the Petkoff household.
Option B: Paul is not a character in this play.
Option C: Bluntschli is a military officer, not a servant.
Option D: Incorrect, as Nicola is the correct answer.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1887. They believe that this approach tends to reduce art to the level of biography and make it relative (to the times) rather than universal. What approach possess this disadvantage?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Historical/Biographical.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question examines the critical approaches in English literature and their implications on interpreting art as either universal or relative to specific contexts.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the focus of each critical approach, such as conflating Formalism with Historical/Biographical methods.

Explanations: The Historical/Biographical approach emphasizes the context of the artist's life and times, which can lead to interpreting art as relative to its historical setting rather than universally applicable. This contrasts with other approaches like Formalism, which focuses on the artwork itself, or Psychological, which examines the mental states of characters or the artist.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Moral/Philosophical focuses on ethical or philosophical themes, not biography or historical context.
Option B: Formalism/New Criticism emphasizes the formal elements of the artwork, not the artist's life or times.
Option C: Historical/Biographical focuses on the artist's life and historical context, which can make art seem relative to its time.
Option D: Psychological examines the psychological aspects of characters or the artist, not necessarily biography.

Mnemonic: Historical ties to Biography

1888. When did Samuel Taylor Coleridge die?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 25 July 1834.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the death date of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a key figure in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Coleridge's death date with that of other literary figures, such as William Wordsworth.

Explanations: Samuel Taylor Coleridge died on 25 July 1834. This is a well-established historical fact in literary studies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 22 November 1836 is incorrect; this is the death date of William Wordsworth, not Coleridge.
Option B: 24 February 1841 is incorrect; this date does not correspond to any significant event in Coleridge's life.
Option C: 30 April 1822 is incorrect; this date is unrelated to Coleridge's death.
Option D: 25 July 1834 is correct; this is the documented date of Coleridge's death.

Mnemonic: Remember: "July" for Coleridge's death month.

1889. 'Art for Art's sake' was the catch phrase of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Aestheticism.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The phrase 'Art for Art's sake' is a defining principle of Aestheticism, emphasizing art's intrinsic value and independence from moral or practical purposes.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Aestheticism with other art movements like Formalism or Imagism, which focus on different aspects of art.

Explanations: Aestheticism advocates for art's autonomy, valuing it solely for its beauty and form. This aligns with the phrase 'Art for Art's sake,' which rejects utilitarian or moral interpretations of art.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Aestheticism promotes the idea that art should be appreciated for its own sake, without any ulterior motives.
Option B: Incorrect. Formalism focuses on the formal elements of art, such as composition and technique, rather than its purpose or value.
Option C: Incorrect. Imagism emphasizes clarity and vivid imagery in literature, unrelated to the concept of art's intrinsic value.
Option D: Incorrect. Aestheticism is the correct answer, so 'None of the above' is not applicable.

Mnemonic: Aestheticism: Art for Art's sake, always appreciate the beauty.

1890. The Life of Samuel Johnson is written by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) James Bosewell.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the author of "The Life of Samuel Johnson."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing James Boswell with other Enlightenment-era writers.

Explanations: James Boswell is the author of "The Life of Samuel Johnson," a detailed biography that remains a key source on Johnson's life. The other options are incorrect because they refer to different authors.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Edmund Burke was a philosopher and statesman, not the author of this biography.
Option B: Edward Gibbon is known for "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
Option C: David Hume was a philosopher and historian, not associated with Johnson's biography.
Option D: James Boswell wrote "The Life of Samuel Johnson," making this the correct answer.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 126”

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 126”

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