English Literature MCQ – Change your future

181. In T.S. Eliot's essay called "Tradition and Individual Talent, " he argues that the progress of an artist consists of which of the following?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Eliot's essay emphasizes the importance of tradition over individuality in artistic progress.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Eliot's emphasis on self-sacrifice as opposed to personal growth or transformation.

Explanations: Eliot argues that artistic progress requires the artist to subordinate their individual personality to the greater tradition, allowing their work to contribute to the ongoing evolution of art.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Eliot does not support the expansion of personality but its subjugation to tradition.
Option B: Correct. Eliot emphasizes self-sacrifice and the extinction of personality in service to tradition.
Option C: Transformation implies a change in identity, which Eliot does not advocate.
Option D: Eliot focuses on engagement with the past, not identification with it.

Mnemonic: Self-sacrifice serves the art.

182. The main province of all art is to.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Delight.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The primary purpose of art is to provide delight and pleasure.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the main function of art as being educational or moralistic.

Explanations: Art's main role is to bring joy and satisfaction. While it can teach or preach, these are secondary functions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Preaching is not the primary purpose of art.
Option B: Teaching is a secondary function, not the main one.
Option C: Comparing is not a primary function of art.
Option D: Delighting is the main purpose of art.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

183. Which of the following is the earliest comedy of Shakespeare?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Love's labour's lost.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the chronological order of Shakespeare's comedies.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the order of Shakespeare's early comedies.

Explanations: Shakespeare's comedies were written in a specific order. Love's Labour's Lost is one of his earliest comedies, written around 1594-1595. The other options were written later.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A Midsummer Night's Dream was written after Love's Labour's Lost.
Option B: Much Ado About Nothing was written later than Love's Labour's Lost.
Option C: As You Like It was written after Love's Labour's Lost.
Option D: Love's Labour's Lost is the earliest comedy among the options.

184. The main character in Paradise Lost Book I and Book II is?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Satan.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The main character in Paradise Lost Book I and Book II is Satan, as the narrative focuses on his rebellion and fall.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the main character with God, Adam, or Eve, who become more prominent in later books.

Explanations: In Books I and II, the narrative centers on Satan's rebellion against God, his expulsion from heaven, and his subsequent plans to corrupt humanity. This makes Satan the central figure driving the plot in these sections.

Option Analysis:

Option A: God is a significant character but not the main focus in these books.
Option B: Satan is the central character as the narrative revolves around his rebellion and actions.
Option C: Adam's role becomes more prominent in later books, particularly in Book IX.
Option D: Eve's role also becomes significant in later books, especially after her creation.

Mnemonic: Satan's Story in Books I and II.

185. What kind of information and literature is used in dystopian societies in order to control what the citizens know and the information they have access to?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Propaganda.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In dystopian societies, propaganda is used to control information and manipulate public perception.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between propaganda and other forms of censorship.

Explanations: Propaganda is a systematic effort to manipulate public opinion through biased or false information. In dystopian literature, it is often used to maintain control over citizens by promoting the regime's ideology and suppressing dissent.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Propaganda is the correct answer as it is a key method of controlling information in dystopian societies.
Option B: Newspapers can be a medium for propaganda but are not the method itself.
Option C: Control over the internet is a modern method not central to traditional dystopian literature.
Option D: Burning books is a form of censorship but not the primary method of information control.

Mnemonic: PROPAGANDA Shapes Minds in Dystopia.

186. Which of the following is the first novel of D. H. Lawrence?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The White Peacock.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of D. H. Lawrence's bibliography, specifically identifying his first novel.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "The White Peacock" with "Sons and Lovers," which is one of his more famous works.

Explanations: D. H. Lawrence's first novel is "The White Peacock," published in 1911. The other options are later works in his bibliography.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The White Peacock" is Lawrence's first novel.
Option B: Incorrect. "The Trespasser" was published after "The White Peacock."
Option C: Incorrect. "Sons and Lovers" is a later novel.
Option D: Incorrect. "Women in Love" was published much later.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

187. Plots with Claudius to kill Hamlet.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Laertes

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character roles and alliances in Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Claudius as the one who directly plots with him, rather than recognizing Laertes's role.

Explanations: In "Hamlet," Claudius, the king, conspires with Laertes to kill Hamlet. Laertes, seeking revenge for his father's death, agrees to Claudius's plan. This alliance is central to the tragic climax of the play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Claudius is the instigator but not the collaborator in the plot to kill Hamlet.
Option B: Polonius is killed by Hamlet and does not participate in the plot.
Option C: Laertes collaborates with Claudius to kill Hamlet, making him the correct answer.
Option D: Prince Fortinbras is a rival but not involved in the conspiracy.

Mnemonic: "Laertes Laughs Last" - Remember Laertes's role in the final confrontation.

188. Which of these authors was NOT Native American?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) William Byrd.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of authors' backgrounds and their association with Native American literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing William Byrd with Native American authors due to the historical context of his writings.

Explanations: William Byrd was an English-born American writer, not Native American. The other authors listed are recognized for their contributions to Native American literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Pauline Johnson was a Native American poet and writer.
Option B: George Copway was a Native American writer and activist.
Option C: William Byrd was an English-born American writer, not Native American.
Option D: Charles Eastman was a Native American author and physician.

Mnemonic: William Byrd is British, not Native.

189. Restoration drama often presents the upper classes as vapid and vain. What is the purpose of doing so?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Actually, all of society was satirized, not just the upper classes.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Restoration drama used satire to critique various aspects of society, including the upper and lower classes.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding that satire was limited to the upper classes.

Explanations: Restoration drama satirized all levels of society to expose moral decay and hypocrisy, encouraging social reflection and reform.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; satire was not limited to the upper classes.
Option B: Incorrect; plays did not promote wisdom from the lower classes exclusively.
Option C: Incorrect; the purpose was more than humor, involving social critique.
Option D: Correct; all societal classes were satirized.

Mnemonic: "Restoration Satire Targets All"

190. During which period London theaterrs remained closed on account of the plague?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) 1593

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The closure of London theaters in 1593 due to the plague is a key historical event affecting English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the year with nearby years when theaters were operational.

Explanations: In 1593, a severe outbreak of the plague led to the closure of London's theaters, impacting playwrights like Shakespeare, who turned to writing sonnets during this period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 1592 was not a year of theater closure.
Option B: 1593 was the year theaters closed due to the plague.
Option C: 1594 saw the reopening of theaters.
Option D: 1595 was after the theaters had reopened.

Mnemonic: "Plague in '93 closed the stage."

191. Who coined the term 'esemplastic'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Coleridge.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, Cambridge English Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term 'esemplastic' refers to the imagination's ability to unify and synthesize elements, introduced by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Coleridge and other Romantic or Victorian poets, such as Wordsworth or Browning.

Explanations: Samuel Taylor Coleridge coined the term 'esemplastic' in his work "Biographia Literaria" to describe the imagination's role in unifying and synthesizing elements.

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Wordsworth did not coin the term; he focused on nature and emotion in poetry.
Option B: Browning was a Victorian poet known for dramatic monologues, unrelated to this term.
Option C: Coleridge introduced 'esemplastic' in his discussions on the imagination.
Option D: Eliot was a modernist poet, not associated with this term.

Mnemonic: Coleridge's Esemplastic Imagination

192. The author of the lesson " With the Photographer" is.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Stephen Leacock

Exam Relevance: CBSE English Literature exams

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to identify the author of a specific literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Stephen Leacock with other authors like George Bernard Shaw or R.K. Narayan.

Explanations: Stephen Leacock is the author of "With the Photographer." This is a factual piece of information that directly attributes the work to him.

Option Analysis:

Option A: G. is not a recognized author of this work.
Option B: Shaw refers to George Bernard Shaw, unrelated to this text.
Option C: R.K. Narayan is an Indian writer, not associated with this piece.
Option D: Stephen Leacock is the correct author of "With the Photographer."

Mnemonic: No mnemonic provided.

193. Who used to write problem plays-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) G. B. Shaw.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Problem plays are dramas that focus on social issues and provoke thought. G. B. Shaw is known for this style.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Shaw with other writers like Yeats or Joyce, who worked in different genres.

Explanations: G. B. Shaw wrote problem plays that addressed social issues, making him the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Bertrand Russell was a philosopher, not a playwright.
Option B: W. B. Yeats was a poet and dramatist, not known for problem plays.
Option C: G. B. Shaw is known for writing problem plays.
Option D: James Joyce was a novelist, not a playwright.

Mnemonic: Shaw's plays show social issues.

194. The story, 'Mars in the Seventh House' is written by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) R.K.Narayan.

Exam Relevance: CBSE Class 12 English exams, NEET-A, entrance exams for literature programs.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of literary works and their authors, a fundamental aspect of English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing R.K. Narayan with other Indian authors like Rabindranath Tagore or Amrita Pritam, who are known for different literary contributions.

Explanations: R.K. Narayan is the author of 'Mars in the Seventh House.' This story is a significant work in English literature, and Narayan is renowned for his contributions to Indian English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Amrita Pritam is a Punjabi poet, not the author of this story.
Option B: R.K. Narayan is the correct author of 'Mars in the Seventh House.'
Option C: Rabindranath Tagore is a Nobel laureate known for his Bengali works, not this story.
Option D: Incorrect, as Narayan is the correct author.

Mnemonic: Narayan narrates 'Mars' in the Seventh House.

195. 'The Road not Taken' is a famous poem of-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Robert Frost.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The poem 'The Road Not Taken' is a signature work by Robert Frost, illustrating themes of decision-making and personal choice.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other poets like Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman, who have distinct styles and works.

Explanations: Robert Frost authored 'The Road Not Taken,' a poem reflecting on choices and their consequences. This poem is a staple in English literature studies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Robert Frost wrote the poem.
Option B: Incorrect; Walt Whitman wrote 'Leaves of Grass,' not this poem.
Option C: Incorrect; Emily Dickinson's style differs, focusing on themes like death and immortality.
Option D: Incorrect; the poem is by Robert Frost, so 'None' is not applicable.

Mnemonic: "Frost's Roads" - linking the poem's title to its author.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 13”

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 13”

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