English Literature MCQ

1906. Which of these plays has not been written by William Congreve?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The Country Wife.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: William Congreve is known for his Restoration comedies, including "Love for Love," "The Old Bachelor," and "The Way of the World." "The Country Wife" is a play by William Wycherley, not Congreve.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the authorship of "The Country Wife" with Congreve's other works.

Explanations: William Congreve wrote "Love for Love," "The Old Bachelor," and "The Way of the World." "The Country Wife" was written by William Wycherley, making it the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Love for Love" is by Congreve.
Option B: "The Country Wife" is by Wycherley, not Congreve.
Option C: "The Old Bachelor" is by Congreve.
Option D: "The Way of the World" is by Congreve.

Mnemonic: Congreve's Comedies: Love, Bachelor, World—Wycherley wrote 'Country Wife.'

1907. D. G. Rossetti was a true literary descendant of?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Keats.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Dante Gabriel Rossetti's literary style and themes align closely with John Keats, particularly in their focus on beauty, sensuality, and the interplay between the physical and spiritual.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Rossetti's style with that of Byron, Shelley, or Wordsworth, who had different thematic focuses.

Explanations: Rossetti's work emphasizes beauty, emotion, and the spiritual, much like Keats. Both poets explore themes of love, death, and the transient nature of beauty, connecting them through a shared aesthetic sensibility.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Rossetti's focus on beauty and sensuality aligns with Keats' themes.
Option B: Incorrect. Byron's Romanticism focused on individualism and rebellion, not the aesthetic beauty Rossetti explored.
Option C: Incorrect. Shelley's work centered on idealism and revolution, differing from Rossetti's aesthetic focus.
Option D: Incorrect. Wordsworth emphasized nature and the common man, unlike Rossetti's focus on beauty and emotion.

Mnemonic: Rossetti's Richness, Keats' Sensuality.

1908. In Pride and Prejudice, Lydia elopes with?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Wickham.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The elopement of Lydia Bennet with George Wickham is a significant event in *Pride and Prejudice*.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Wickham with other male characters in the novel, such as Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley.

Explanations: Lydia elopes with Wickham, a manipulative character, which causes disgrace to her family. This event highlights themes of reputation and marriage in the novel.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mr. Darcy is a noble and honorable character who later marries Elizabeth Bennet. He would not elope with Lydia.
Option B: George Wickham is the correct answer as he is the one who elopes with Lydia.
Option C: William Collins is a suitor of Charlotte Lucas and is not involved with Lydia.
Option D: Charles Bingley is engaged to Jane Bennet and is not involved with Lydia.

Mnemonic: "Lydia's Leap: Wickham's Deception."

1909. What is the imitation of natural sounds in word form?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Onomatopoeia

Exam Relevance: GCSE English, SAT Subject Tests in English

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate or represent natural sounds.

Common Mistakes: Confusing onomatopoeia with other literary devices like alliteration or personification.

Explanations: Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate sounds, such as "meow," "hiss," or "boom." These words directly mimic the sounds they represent, making them vivid and engaging in literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human things, not related to sound imitation.
Option B: Hyperboles are extreme exaggerations, not sound imitations.
Option C: Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds, not the imitation of natural sounds.
Option D: Onomatopoeia is the correct term for imitating natural sounds in word form.

Mnemonic: O for Onomatopoeia, like "oink" or "owie."

1910. The word "Jacobean" is derived from the ..... name Jacob, which is the original form of the English name James.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Hebrew language.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "Jacobean" relates to the reign of King James I and originates from the Hebrew name Jacob.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the different forms of Hebrew or unawareness of the linguistic roots of the name Jacob.

Explanations: "Jacobean" is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, which is the origin of the English name James. This term is used in literature to denote the period associated with King James I.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Samaritan Hebrew is unrelated to the origin of Jacob.
Option B: Incorrect; while Jacob is in the Bible, "Biblical Hebrew" refers to the language, not the name's origin.
Option C: Incorrect; Mishnaic Hebrew is a later form and unrelated.
Option D: Correct; Jacob is a Hebrew name.

Mnemonic: Jacob is Hebrew, so Jacobean is too.

1911. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning John Milton's poetry?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) He followed the Petrarchan rather than the Shakespearean sonnet form.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Milton's poetry is characterized by his use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, which emphasizes an octave and a sestet with a specific rhyme scheme.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Milton's sonnet form with Shakespeare's, as both are prominent but distinct styles.

Explanations: Milton adhered to the Petrarchan sonnet form, which is structured with an octave followed by a sestet, unlike the Shakespearean form that uses three quatrains and a couplet. This choice reflects Milton's preference for the Italian poetic tradition.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as Milton did not follow the Shakespearean sonnet form.
Option B: Correct, as Milton used the Petrarchan form.
Option C: Incorrect, as Milton did not follow the Spenserian form.
Option D: Incorrect, as Milton's choice was not between Spenserian and Petrarchan but specifically Petrarchan.

Mnemonic: Petrarchan for Milton, Shakespearean for Will.

1912. What promise did Augustine's sudden death prevent him from fulfilling?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Freeing his slaves.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The novel explores themes of slavery, freedom, and the impact of broken promises.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the novel's themes or confusing Augustine's promises with other characters' actions.

Explanations: Augustine's death prevents him from fulfilling his promise to free his slaves, a key theme in the novel. This reflects the broader failure of slave owners to grant freedom to their slaves.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Augustine's death prevents him from freeing his slaves, a central theme in the novel.
Option B: Incorrect. Relearning to pray is not a promise Augustine makes.
Option C: Incorrect. Overcoming alcoholism is not related to Augustine's death.
Option D: Incorrect. Reuniting Tom with Aunt Chole is not a promise Augustine makes.

Mnemonic: Augustine's Aim: Abolish Slavery.

1913. What does the weary warbler that lands on Santiago's fishing line make the old man think of?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The predatory hawks that await the bird's arrival near land.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of symbolism and thematic elements in literature, specifically how Santiago interprets the warbler's presence.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is focusing on Santiago's own survival rather than the specific imagery of the hawks.

Explanations: The warbler's exhaustion makes Santiago think of the hawks that hunt near land, symbolizing the predatory nature of the world and Santiago's own vulnerable situation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The warbler's presence does not make Santiago think about his own return to land.
Option B: Correct. Santiago associates the warbler with the hawks that hunt near land.
Option C: Incorrect. The story does not focus on the hidden strength of the weak.
Option D: Incorrect. While Santiago appreciates nature, the warbler's presence triggers thoughts of danger, not beauty.

Mnemonic: Warbler warns of waiting hawks, mirroring Santiago's fate.

1914. In an attempt to defeat God and his angels, what do the rebel angels make?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A cannon.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of specific events in John Milton's "Paradise Lost," focusing on the rebel angels' actions against God.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the cannon with other weapons or structures mentioned in the text.

Explanations: In "Paradise Lost," the rebel angels, led by Satan, construct a cannon to attack Heaven, symbolizing their defiance and technological effort in rebellion.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The rebel angels do not build a fortress; they focus on creating weapons.
Option B: A catapult is not mentioned in the context of their rebellion.
Option C: They do not forge a large sword; the cannon is the specific weapon they create.
Option D: The cannon is the correct answer as it is the weapon built by the rebel angels in "Paradise Lost."

Mnemonic: Cannon in Chaos

1915. How has Stephen Dunn been described in 'the Oxford Companion to 20th Century Poetry?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A poet of middleness.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Stephen Dunn is recognized for his exploration of everyday experiences and the ordinary, often referred to as "middleness."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term "middleness" as a lack of depth rather than a focus on the everyday.

Explanations: Stephen Dunn's poetry is characterized by its focus on the ordinary and the in-between states of human experience, earning him the description of being a "poet of middleness."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Dunn's work often explores the ordinary and everyday experiences, referred to as "middleness."
Option B: Incorrect. This description does not apply to Dunn's work.
Option C: Incorrect. Dunn is not associated with prairie poetry.
Option D: Incorrect. While Dunn is a critic, this is not his primary distinction.

Mnemonic: Dunn's middleness captures the mundane.

1916. Percy Shelley's poem "Mont Blanc" presents nature as .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A powerful, sublime force.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "Mont Blanc" by Percy Shelley portrays nature as a powerful and sublime force, reflecting Romantic ideals.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the Romantic emphasis on nature's sublimity and power.

Explanations: Shelley's "Mont Blanc" highlights nature's overwhelming power and grandeur, evoking a sense of awe and sublimity. The poem's imagery and tone emphasize nature's might, aligning with Romantic themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The poem portrays nature as a powerful, sublime force through its depiction of Mont Blanc's majesty and the emotions it evokes.
Option B: Incorrect. While nature can be peaceful, the poem's focus is on its overwhelming power and sublimity, not peace.
Option C: Incorrect. The poem does not depict nature as depressing; instead, it evokes a sense of awe and grandeur.
Option D: Incorrect. Shelley does not attribute nature's power to gods but celebrates it as a force in itself.

Mnemonic: Shelley's Sublime Nature

1917. Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to illustrate the evils of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Slavery.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is a novel that portrays the harsh conditions of slavery and its moral implications.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse the novel's focus with other social issues, such as alcohol or imperialism, which are not central themes.

Explanations: Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to expose the cruelties of slavery and to advocate for its abolition. The novel depicts the lives of enslaved African Americans and the impact of slavery on individuals and families.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The novel does not address alcohol as a central theme.
Option B: The novel focuses on the evils of slavery, making this the correct answer.
Option C: The term "foreign" is vague and not relevant to the novel's themes.
Option D: Imperialism is not a focus of the novel.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1918. 'All the members of that Committee are educated persons whose speech 'would pass' as correct and refined in any society or any employment in London.' 'would pass' here means

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Would be accepted.

Exam Relevance: TOEFL, IELTS

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The phrase "would pass" in this context means the speech would be accepted as correct and refined.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the phrasal verb "pass" as meaning success rather than acceptance.

Explanations: The verb "pass" here refers to being accepted or approved, not succeeding or not failing. In this context, it means the speech would be recognized as correct and refined.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because "successful" implies achieving a goal, not being accepted.
Option B: Correct because "accepted" aligns with the meaning of "pass" in this context.
Option C: Incorrect because "would not fail" is a negative way to express acceptance.
Option D: Incorrect because the correct answer is among the options.

Mnemonic: "Pass = Accepted"

1919. Which of the following words describe the prevailing attitude of High-Modern Literature?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Both a & c.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: High-Modern Literature, or Modernism, is marked by skepticism towards traditional values and an impressionistic style focusing on subjective experiences.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the Modernist rejection of authority and their fragmented narrative techniques.

Explanations: Modernist writers were skeptical of traditional values and used impressionistic techniques to convey subjective experiences, making both A and C correct.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Modernism is skeptical of traditional beliefs.
Option B: Incorrect, as Modernism questions rather than asserts authority.
Option C: Correct, as Modernism employs impressionistic styles.
Option D: Correct, combines both A and C accurately.

Mnemonic: S.I.D.M. - Skeptical and Impressionistic Define Modernism

1920. The .....age tended to favour the taste and search for truth in art:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Romantic.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Romantic period emphasized emotion, individualism, and a connection with nature, focusing on the search for truth in art.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Romantic period with the Victorian era, as both are associated with emotional depth, but they differ in their primary focuses.

Explanations: The Romantic age favoured the taste and search for truth in art by emphasizing emotion, individualism, and a connection with nature. This period reacted against the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment rationalism, focusing on deeper truths and emotions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Classical period focused on order, balance, and traditional forms, not emotional truth.
Option B: Romantic period emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature, aligning with the search for truth in art.
Option C: Victorian era was structured and moralistic, less focused on emotional truth.
Option D: Elizabethan era explored human nature and courtly love, not the Romantic emphasis on emotion and truth.

Mnemonic: Romantics Love Emotion and Nature (R.L.E.N.)

⬅ Previous SetSet 128Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 128”

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 128”

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