English Literature MCQ

1951. Who wrote a novel about a historical detective series centered on the character of Phyrne Fisher?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Kerry Greenwood.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, British Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of authors and their respective literary works, specifically within the genre of historical detective fiction.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Kerry Greenwood with other authors known for detective fiction, such as Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle.

Explanations: Kerry Greenwood is the author of the Phryne Fisher series, a historical detective series set in 1920s Australia. The series is notable for its blend of mystery, historical detail, and strong female protagonist.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Jane Austen is a renowned 19th-century novelist known for works like "Pride and Prejudice," which are not detective fiction.
Option B: Vladimir Nabokov is a Russian-American novelist known for works like "Lolita," which are not historical detective series.
Option C: James Fenimore Cooper is an American writer known for the "Leatherstocking Tales," which are frontier adventure stories, not historical detective fiction.
Option D: Kerry Greenwood is the correct author of the Phryne Fisher series, a historical detective series.

Mnemonic: Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher is a fishy mystery.

1952. In which work Edmund Spenser celebrates his marriage with Elizabeth Boyle?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Epithalamion.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, Cambridge English Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Epithalamion is a poem by Edmund Spenser celebrating his marriage to Elizabeth Boyle.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Epithalamion and Amoretti, both of which are love-themed works.

Explanations: Epithalamion is specifically written to celebrate Spenser's marriage, while other works like Prothalamion and Amoretti address broader themes of love and marriage without being personal celebrations.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Prothalamion celebrates the marriage of friends, not Spenser's own marriage.
Option B: Faerie Queen is an epic poem about knighthood and virtues, unrelated to marriage.
Option C: Epithalamion is the correct poem celebrating Spenser's marriage.
Option D: Amoretti is a collection of sonnets about love, not specifically marriage.

Mnemonic: Epithalamion for marriage, Amoretti for love.

1953. Fortinbras is a character of the play:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Hamlet

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Fortinbras is a character in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Fortinbras with characters from other Shakespearean plays like "Othello" or "King Lear."

Explanations: Fortinbras is the Prince of Norway in "Hamlet" and plays a role in the final act. He does not appear in "Othello" or "King Lear."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Fortinbras is not in "Othello."
Option B: Fortinbras is in "Hamlet."
Option C: Fortinbras is not in "King Lear."
Option D: Fortinbras is in "Hamlet," so this is incorrect.

Mnemonic: Fortinbras in Hamlet, not in Othello or Lear.

1954. How did French become the dominant language of England?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) After the successful invasion of England, the language of William of Normandy became the language of the elite.

Exam Relevance: GCSE History, A-Level History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Norman Conquest of 1066 introduced Old French as the language of the ruling class in England.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the role of the Norman Conquest in linguistic change.

Explanations: The Norman Conquest led to the establishment of Norman rule, bringing Old French as the language of the elite, administration, and education.

Option Analysis:

Option A: King Alfred was an Anglo-Saxon and did not promote French.
Option B: French influence was due to Norman rule, not poetry preference.
Option C: Edward's wife's influence did not lead to French dominance.
Option D: Correct, as the Norman Conquest introduced French to the elite.

Mnemonic: Normans brought French, now it's history's text.

1955. The Elegy originated in ancient.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Greece.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The elegy originated in ancient Greek literature as a poetic form expressing grief or哀悼.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the origin of the elegy with England, where it became popular later.

Explanations: The term "elegy" comes from the Greek word "elegos," referring to a type of poem often accompanied by a flute. Early Greek elegies dealt with themes of love, death, and heroism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Germany is incorrect; the elegy did not originate there.
Option B: England is incorrect; it adopted the elegy from Greece.
Option C: India is incorrect; the elegy is not rooted in Indian traditions.
Option D: Greece is correct; the elegy originated in ancient Greek literature.

Mnemonic: "Elegy's Greek, not English or German, so Greece is the key."

1956. Which genre was not attempted by Yeats?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Novel.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: William Butler Yeats was a poet, dramatist, and essayist, but he did not write novels.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse Yeats's genres with those of other writers, like James Joyce, who wrote novels.

Explanations: Yeats is known for his poetry, plays, and essays. He did not attempt the novel genre.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Yeats did not write novels.
Option B: Yeats wrote essays.
Option C: Yeats was a poet.
Option D: Yeats wrote plays.

Mnemonic: "Yeats wrote Plays, Essays, and Poetry—No Novels!"

1957. How many from his plays were published in his lifetime:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Only seventeen.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: William Shakespeare published 17 of his plays during his lifetime.

Common Mistakes: Misremembering the exact number of published plays.

Explanations: William Shakespeare, a key figure in English literature, published 17 of his plays during his lifetime. This is a well-established fact in literary history.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as only 17 plays were published, not 16.
Option B: Correct, as 17 plays were published during Shakespeare's lifetime.
Option C: Incorrect, as 18 is more than the actual number published.
Option D: Incorrect, as 19 is more than the actual number published.

Mnemonic: "17 in life, the rest in strife."

1958. Who wrote "A Christmas Carol"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Charles Dickens

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "A Christmas Carol" is a classic work of English literature authored by Charles Dickens.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other authors like Jane Austen or J.K. Rowling.

Explanations: "A Christmas Carol" is a famous novella by Charles Dickens, known for its themes of redemption and the spirit of Christmas. It is a staple of English literature and often studied in schools.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Jane Austen wrote novels such as "Pride and Prejudice," not "A Christmas Carol."
Option B: G.B. Shaw was a playwright known for works like "Pygmalion," not a Christmas story.
Option C: J.K. Rowling wrote the "Harry Potter" series, which is unrelated to "A Christmas Carol."
Option D: Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol," making this the correct answer.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1959. The first complete version of Bible in English language was made by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Wyclif.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the historical development of the English Bible and key figures in its translation.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Wyclif with other literary figures of the time, such as Thomas More or John Lyly.

Explanations: John Wyclif was a 14th-century theologian who produced the first complete English translation of the Bible. His work was significant for making religious texts accessible to the general populace, which was a departure from the Latin Vulgate used in the Church. This translation laid the groundwork for later versions like the King James Bible.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. John Wyclif completed the first English Bible translation.
Option B: Incorrect. Thomas More was a humanist writer, not involved in Bible translation.
Option C: Incorrect. John Lyly was a playwright known for works like "Endymion."
Option D: Incorrect. Robert Greene was an Elizabethan playwright, not a Bible translator.

Mnemonic: "Wyclif's Word" - Remember Wyclif as the first to translate the entire Bible into English.

1960. The lover shows his mistress the mating of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Birds

Exam Relevance: SAT Literature Subject Test, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The use of birds as symbols in literature often represents love, freedom, or the natural world.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the symbolic significance of birds in literary contexts.

Explanations: Birds are commonly used in literature to symbolize love and romance. The mating of birds specifically highlights themes of partnership and attraction, making it a fitting choice for the context described.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Animals are too broad and lack the specific romantic symbolism associated with birds.
Option B: Insects are not typically used to symbolize love in literature.
Option C: Birds are a common literary symbol for love and romance.
Option D: Water creatures are not commonly associated with romantic themes.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1961. 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' and 'The Rainbow' written by-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) D.H. Lawrence.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of authors and their notable works in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing D.H. Lawrence with other modernist authors like Virginia Woolf.

Explanations: D.H. Lawrence authored both 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' and 'The Rainbow', which are key texts in 20th-century English literature. These works are known for their exploration of human relationships and sexuality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Virginia Woolf is a modernist writer known for works like 'Mrs. Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse', not the novels in question.
Option B: Robert Frost is a poet known for works like 'The Road Not Taken', unrelated to these novels.
Option C: Thomas Moore is known for philosophical works like 'The Fable of the Bees', not these literary novels.
Option D: D.H. Lawrence is the correct author of both 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' and 'The Rainbow'.

Mnemonic: Lawrence wrote about love and life in 'Lover' and 'Rainbow'.

1962. What was the name of the Bronte sister's only brother?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Branwell.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Brontë sisters had one brother named Patrick Branwell Brontë.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the Brontë sisters' brother with other literary figures or family members.

Explanations: The Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne—had only one brother, Patrick Branwell Brontë, commonly known as Branwell. This is a straightforward fact about their family.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Anderson is not a name associated with the Brontë family.
Option B: Branwell is the correct name of their brother.
Option C: Richard is not a name associated with the Brontë family.
Option D: Pearson is not a name associated with the Brontë family.

Mnemonic: Branwell Brontë, the only brother, B for Brontë.

1963. To where Walton's expedition was headed when he meets the gigantic figure and the emaciated Victor?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) North Pole.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is a key text in English literature, exploring themes of ambition and the consequences of scientific discovery. The novel's narrative structure includes Robert Walton's expedition, which is central to the story.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the location with other literary works or real-world expeditions, leading to incorrect choices like Bermuda or Africa.

Explanations: In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," Robert Walton's expedition is heading to the North Pole. This journey is crucial as it leads to his encounter with Victor Frankenstein, setting the stage for the novel's narrative. The North Pole symbolizes Walton's ambition and quest for knowledge, mirroring Victor's scientific pursuits.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The North Pole is the destination of Walton's expedition in "Frankenstein."
Option B: Incorrect. Bermuda is not mentioned in the novel and is unrelated to the plot.
Option C: Incorrect. The Galapagos Islands are not part of the novel's setting.
Option D: Incorrect. Africa is not relevant to Walton's journey or the novel's events.

Mnemonic: "Walton's North Pole quest in Frankenstein."

1964. How do historians say Joyce's exile manifest itself in Finnegans Wake?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) It led to the combination of multiple languages to form new words.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: James Joyce's exile is evident in Finnegans Wake through the use of multilingual wordplay and neologisms, reflecting his displacement and cultural blending.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Joyce's themes or conflating them with other modernist techniques.

Explanations: Joyce's exile influenced his use of multiple languages and creation of new words in Finnegans Wake, symbolizing cultural displacement and integration. This technique highlights his fragmented identity and the blending of various cultural elements.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Joyce's exile is reflected in the multilingual and neologistic style of Finnegans Wake.
Option B: Incorrect. While dreams are a theme, they are not directly tied to Joyce's exile.
Option C: Incorrect. The work is rich in allusions to various cultures.
Option D: Incorrect. The family is a theme, but not central to Joyce's exile.

Mnemonic: Exile leads to lexical mix.

1965. Who wrote "Mirror for Magistrates"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Thomas Sacville.

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "Mirror for Magistrates" is a historical and moral treatise written by Thomas Sacville.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Thomas Sacville and other Thomas-named authors of the period.

Explanations: "Mirror for Magistrates" is a historical and moral treatise written by Thomas Sacville in the 16th century. It serves as a moral guide through biographies of historical figures.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Thomas Sacville authored "Mirror for Magistrates."
Option B: Incorrect. Thomas Wyatt was a poet, not the author of this work.
Option C: Incorrect. Thomas Lodge wrote prose works, not this text.
Option D: Incorrect. Thomas Kyde is not associated with this work.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 131”

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 131”

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