English Literature MCQ

2026. George Herbert was essentially a metaphysical poet.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Devotional.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: George Herbert is recognized for his devotional poetry, which centers on themes of faith and spirituality.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Herbert's focus as sensual or pastoral rather than religious.

Explanations: George Herbert's poetry, such as *The Temple*, is deeply religious and explores themes of faith and spirituality, making it devotional.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Herbert's work is religious and spiritual.
Option B: Incorrect, as his poetry does not focus on sensual themes.
Option C: Incorrect, as his work is not primarily about rural life.
Option D: Incorrect, as his poetry is not satirical.

Mnemonic: Herbert's heart was in devotion, not in sensual or pastoral emotion.

2027. In Ulysses, which character best exemplifies anti-Semitism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Mr. Deasy.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character traits and themes related to prejudice in *Ulysses*.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Leopold Bloom with Mr. Deasy, as Bloom is Jewish and thus not the anti-Semitic character.

Explanations: Mr. Deasy's anti-Semitic remarks in his conversation with Bloom clearly demonstrate his prejudice. His statements reflect negative stereotypes about Jews, making him the character that exemplifies anti-Semitism in the novel.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Leopold Bloom is Jewish and a sympathetic character, not anti-Semitic.
Option B: Mr. Deasy makes derogatory remarks about Jews, showing his anti-Semitic views.
Option C: Gabriel Conroy is from a different novel and not relevant to *Ulysses*.
Option D: Molly Ivors is a nationalist, not associated with anti-Semitism.

Mnemonic: Deasy's Despicable Discrimination

2028. Which of the following statements would Percy Shelley, author of "A Defense of Poetry", agree with?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Artists serve to construct the foundations of culture.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Percy Shelley's "A Defense of Poetry" emphasizes the transformative role of art in society, arguing that artists are crucial in shaping culture by expressing universal truths and emotions.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Shelley's view of art's purpose beyond mere entertainment or practicality.

Explanations: Shelley believes artists are essential in constructing culture by conveying deep truths and emotions, making option D correct. Other options misrepresent his views on art's purpose and role in society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Shelley does not see art as serving a specific worldly purpose.
Option B: Entertainment is not the supreme function of art according to Shelley.
Option C: Shelley does not view artists as dangerous to social order.
Option D: Shelley argues artists construct culture's foundations by expressing universal truths.

Mnemonic: "Art Builds Culture"

2029. What was the first novel of Virginia Woolf?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The Voyage out.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Virginia Woolf's bibliography, specifically identifying her first published novel.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "The Voyage Out" with her later works like "To the Lighthouse" or "The Waves."

Explanations: Virginia Woolf's first novel, "The Voyage Out," was published in 1915. It explores themes of love, death, and existential search for meaning, setting the stage for her later modernist works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Waves" was published in 1931, making it a later work.
Option B: "To the Lighthouse" was published in 1927, after "The Voyage Out."
Option C: "Jacob's Room" was published in 1920, following her debut novel.
Option D: "The Voyage Out" is correct as it was her first novel, published in 1915.

Mnemonic: Voyage Out: Her first literary voyage into novel writing.

2030. In his poetry Tennyson is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The representative poet of Victorian Age.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Alfred Lord Tennyson is a prominent poet of the Victorian era, known for his exploration of themes relevant to the time, such as progress, doubt, and the impact of science.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Tennyson with Romantic poets like Wordsworth or Byron, who wrote in the preceding era.

Explanations: Tennyson's poetry reflects Victorian concerns, such as the tension between faith and science, as seen in works like "In Memoriam." His work is deeply rooted in the cultural and intellectual context of the Victorian period, making him a representative poet of that age.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Tennyson's themes and style align with the Victorian era's focus on progress, doubt, and social issues.
Option B: Incorrect. The Romantic Age emphasized nature and emotion, which is not Tennyson's primary focus.
Option C: Incorrect. While Tennyson wrote about nature, he was not primarily a nature poet.
Option D: Incorrect. Tennyson's association with the Victorian era is well-established.

Mnemonic: Tennyson's Victorian Themes

2031. Deals with the dark side of life and deals with the liter side.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Tragedy, comedy.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Tragedy and comedy are literary genres that traditionally explore the dark and light aspects of human life, respectively.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the genres or confusing them with other forms like satire or farce.

Explanations: Tragedy deals with serious, often dark themes, leading to a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion. Comedy, on the other hand, focuses on lighter, humorous, or happy themes, often resolving conflicts in a joyful manner.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Satire and farce are not the primary genres for dark and light themes. Satire critiques societal issues, and farce uses exaggerated humor.
Option B: Night and day are literal terms, not literary genres.
Option C: Tragedy and comedy are the correct genres representing dark and light themes.
Option D: Incorrect because the correct answer is provided in the options.

Mnemonic: Tragedy is Sad, Comedy is Glad.

2032. ..... is the passing down of stories by word of mouth.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Oral tradition

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Oral tradition refers to the transmission of stories, beliefs, and customs through spoken word rather than written text.

Common Mistakes: Confusing oral tradition with storytelling, which is a broader concept that can include both oral and written forms.

Explanations: Oral tradition specifically describes the practice of passing down stories verbally, making it the correct term for the described process.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Classical mythology refers to the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, not the method of transmission.
Option B: Storytelling is a broader term that includes both oral and written forms, not specific to word of mouth.
Option C: Gods or heroes are subjects of stories, not the method of their transmission.
Option D: Oral tradition accurately describes the verbal passing down of stories.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

2033. In Ulysses, what is/are the effect(s) of the stream of consciousness technique?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) It provides direct access to the characters' consciousness.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The stream of consciousness technique captures the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings in a character's mind, offering an intimate view of their inner world.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the technique as obstructing thoughts rather than revealing them.

Explanations: The stream of consciousness technique in "Ulysses" allows readers to experience the characters' thoughts and emotions in real-time, providing an unfiltered view of their consciousness. This technique is characterized by its fluid, often fragmented narrative style that mirrors the natural flow of human thought. By using this approach, James Joyce gives readers direct access to the inner lives of his characters, making their emotions and thoughts immediately accessible and vivid.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The technique does not obstruct interior thoughts; it reveals them in a continuous flow.
Option B: Incorrect. The approach is unconventional, not conventional, as it breaks from traditional narrative methods.
Option C: Incorrect. The technique makes emotions more immediate, not less, by presenting them in a raw, unfiltered manner.
Option D: Correct. The stream of consciousness provides direct access to the characters' consciousness, allowing readers to experience their thoughts and feelings as they occur.

Mnemonic: Stream = Straight to the Mind

2034. Can be between individuals or between the main character and fate.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Conflict

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Conflict in literature refers to the struggle between opposing forces, which can be internal or external.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing conflict with theme or plot, which are different literary elements.

Explanations: Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces, which can occur between individuals or between a character and fate. It is a fundamental element in literature that drives the narrative and creates tension.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Theme refers to the underlying message or idea of a story, not the struggle between characters or forces.
Option B: Plot refers to the sequence of events in a story, not the struggle itself.
Option C: Myth refers to traditional stories that explain natural phenomena or cultural practices, not the struggle between characters or forces.
Option D: Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces, which can be internal or external, making it the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Conflict is the clash in the plot.

2035. Lucy gray lives.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A solitary child.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The poem "Lucy Gray; or, Solitude" by William Wordsworth portrays Lucy as a solitary figure, highlighting her isolation and the theme of solitude.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the themes of the poem or confusing Lucy's character with other orphaned or adopted characters from literature.

Explanations: The poem emphasizes Lucy's solitary nature, describing her as a child who wanders alone, which directly supports the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The poem does not mention Lucy being an orphan.
Option B: There is no indication that Lucy is adopted.
Option C: The poem describes Lucy as a solitary child, wandering alone.
Option D: The correct description is provided in Option C.

Mnemonic: Lucy Gray, alone in play, a solitary child every day.

2036. 'The Lord of the Rings' is written by -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of the author of a well-known literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the author with other famous writers or characters.

Explanations: 'The Lord of the Rings' is a famous fantasy novel series written by J.R.R. Tolkien, whose full name is Ronald Reuel Tolkien. The other options are incorrect because they refer to different authors or characters.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Rudyard Kipling is a different author known for works like 'The Jungle Book'.
Option B: Correct. Ronald Reuel Tolkien is the author of 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Option C: 'Hobbit' refers to a character in the book, not the author.
Option D: Incorrect because the correct author is listed in option B.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

2037. What does George Shelby give Uncle Tom to wear on a string around his neck before Tom is taken away?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A dollar

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the reader's ability to recall specific details from "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be confusing the item given with other tokens of remembrance in the story.

Explanations: In "Uncle Tom's Cabin," George Shelby gives Uncle Tom a dollar to wear on a string around his neck before Tom is taken away. This act is a gesture of friendship and a promise to remember each other.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A locket is not mentioned in the story as the item given to Uncle Tom.
Option B: A ring is not the item given by George Shelby to Uncle Tom.
Option C: A dollar is the correct item given by George Shelby to Uncle Tom.
Option D: A crucifix is not part of the scene described in the novel.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

2038. The epic employs certain conventional poetic devices such as.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Homeric epithet and simile.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Epics often use Homeric epithets and similes as poetic devices to enhance imagery and characterization.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between poetic devices and narrative elements like dialogue.

Explanations: Homeric epithets are descriptive phrases that accompany a noun, such as "rosy-fingered dawn." Similes are comparisons that enhance imagery, like "as swift as a deer." These devices are characteristic of epic poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Homeric epithets and similes are standard devices in epics.
Option B: Incorrect, as Homeric dialogue and arguments are narrative elements, not poetic devices.
Option C: Incorrect, as it denies the correct devices.
Option D: Incorrect, as it also denies the correct devices.

Mnemonic: Homer's Epithets and Similes (H.E.S.) are epic staples.

2039. On whose death on 1843 Wordsworth became Poet Laureate?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Southey.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the succession of Poet Laureates in England.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Dorothy Wordsworth with Robert Southey, as Dorothy was William's sister.

Explanations: Robert Southey was the Poet Laureate before William Wordsworth. Southey's death in 1843 led to Wordsworth's appointment as the new Poet Laureate.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Robert Southey was the Poet Laureate before Wordsworth.
Option B: Incorrect. Dorothy Wordsworth was William's sister, not a Poet Laureate.
Option C: Incorrect. There is no historical figure named Tyler who was Poet Laureate.
Option D: Incorrect. Mary is likely a reference to Mary Wordsworth, who was not involved in the Laureateship.

2040. Eliot worked for Faber and Faber as a/an:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Editor e none of these

Exam Relevance: GRE, SAT

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of T.S. Eliot's professional role at Faber and Faber.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Eliot's role with that of a writer or director, as he is primarily known for his literary works.

Explanations: T.S. Eliot was employed by Faber and Faber as an editor. This role is well-documented in literary history and biographies of Eliot.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Eliot was not an assistant at Faber and Faber.
Option B: Eliot was not a director at Faber and Faber.
Option C: While Eliot was a writer, this option does not specify his role at Faber and Faber.
Option D: Correct. Eliot was an editor at Faber and Faber.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 136”

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 136”

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