English Literature MCQ – Change your future

211. The boy said that he had to support:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A mother and three sisters.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Understanding the family relationships described in the passage.

Common Mistakes: Misreading the family members mentioned in the passage.

Explanations: The boy supports his mother and three sisters, as stated in the passage. This requires a simple understanding of the family structure described.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as there is no mention of an alcoholic father or two brothers.
Option B: Incorrect, as there is no mention of an old grandmother.
Option C: Incorrect, as there are no widowed sisters mentioned.
Option D: Correct, as the boy supports his mother and three sisters.

212. The first eight lines of a sonnet are called

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Octave.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The first eight lines of a sonnet are called the octave.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the octave with the sestet or refrain.

Explanations: The octave is the first part of a sonnet, consisting of eight lines. It introduces the main theme or problem of the poem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The first eight lines of a sonnet are called the octave.
Option B: Incorrect. The sestet is the last six lines of a sonnet.
Option C: Incorrect. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase, not a structural part of a sonnet.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct term is octave.

Mnemonic: Octave has eight, like October has eight letters.

213. Which of the following literary genre does Thackeray's The History of Henry Esmond belong to?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Novel

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The History of Henry Esmond is a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the genre classification of literary works.

Explanations: The History of Henry Esmond is classified as a novel because it is a long narrative that tells a story with developed characters and a sequential plot. It does not fit the definitions of tragedy, comedy, or poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The History of Henry Esmond is not a tragedy, as it does not follow the structure or themes typical of tragic plays or narratives.
Option B: The History of Henry Esmond is a novel, as it is a long prose narrative with a complex plot and character development.
Option C: The History of Henry Esmond is not a comedy, as it does not primarily focus on humorous or satirical elements.
Option D: The History of Henry Esmond is not poetry, as it is written in prose form rather than verse.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

214. What are the names of the two feuding families in Romeo and Juliet?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Capulet And Montague.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the central families in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the names with other fictional families or historical figures.

Explanations: In William Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet," the two feuding families are the Capulets and the Montagues. Their long-standing rivalry creates the backdrop for the tragic love story between Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. The conflict between these families drives the plot and leads to the tragic events of the play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Capulets and Montagues are the two feuding families in the play.
Option B: Incorrect. Breslow and Felsher are not characters or families in "Romeo and Juliet."
Option C: Incorrect. Fuech and Goodside are not related to the play.
Option D: Incorrect. Dawson and Hurley are not part of the story.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

215. The play, "Macbeth, " is set in what country?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Scotland.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The play "Macbeth" is set in Scotland, as indicated by its historical context and references to Scottish locations and characters.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the setting with other Shakespearean plays set in different countries.

Explanations: "Macbeth" is set in Scotland, focusing on the ambition of its characters and the political turmoil of the time. The play references Scottish history, including the real-life King Duncan and Macbeth.

Option Analysis:

Option A: England is not the setting of "Macbeth."
Option B: Scotland is the correct setting, as the play is based on Scottish history and characters.
Option C: France is not the setting of "Macbeth."
Option D: Norway is not the setting of "Macbeth."

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

216. All of the following refer to "the uncanny" EXCEPT:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The supernatural.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The uncanny refers to a psychological concept describing feelings of discomfort from something familiar yet strange.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the uncanny with the supernatural, which is only a part of it.

Explanations: The uncanny, introduced by Freud, explains feelings of terror or anxiety from the unfamiliar within the familiar. It is broader than the supernatural, encompassing psychological disturbance.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as it defines the psychoanalytic aspect of the uncanny.
Option B: Incorrect, as the supernatural is a subset, not the full definition.
Option C: Correct, as "Unheimlich" is the German term for uncanny.
Option D: Correct, as it captures the essence of the uncanny.

Mnemonic: Uncanny is Unheimlich, not just supernatural.

217. Who was Shakespeareâ€™s wife?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Anne Hathaway

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Test in Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Shakespeare's personal life, specifically his marriage.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between fictional characters and historical figures may lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: William Shakespeare was married to Anne Hathaway, a fact supported by historical records. The other options refer to fictional characters or are incorrect names.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Elizabeth Marlowe is a fictional character, not Shakespeare's wife.
Option B: Joan Shakespeare is a character from a play, not his wife.
Option C: Anne Hathaway is Shakespeare's wife, confirmed by historical records.
Option D: Juliet Shakespeare is a character from "Romeo and Juliet," not his wife.

Mnemonic: Anne Hathaway, the wife of Shakespeare, has a name that starts with 'A,' just like 'Anne' and 'Anne's husband, William.

218. 'George Eliot' was the pen-name of:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Marian Evans

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, Introductory College English Courses

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: George Eliot was a pen name used by the English novelist Marian Evans.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise if one is not familiar with the real names of famous authors.

Explanations: George Eliot was the pen name of Marian Evans, a prominent English novelist known for works like "Middlemarch."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mary Collins is incorrect; she is not associated with George Eliot.
Option B: Marian Evans is correct; she was the real name of George Eliot.
Option C: Lara Evans is incorrect; this name is not linked to George Eliot.
Option D: Clare Reeve is incorrect; she is not related to George Eliot.

Mnemonic: Marian Evans: Middle name of a famous author.

219. Fill in the blank. Although Sir Philip Sidney is writing 200 years before the ..... revolution, he presents a very inward and self-absorbed narrator in "Astrophil and Stella."

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Romantic.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the understanding of literary movements and their characteristics, specifically the Romantic era's focus on introspection and emotional expression.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Romantic era with the Victorian era, as both are periods of emotional focus but with different stylistic emphases.

Explanations: Sir Philip Sidney's "Astrophil and Stella" presents a narrator who is deeply introspective and self-absorbed, reflecting themes that became central to the Romantic movement. Although Sidney wrote in the late 16th century, the inward focus of his narrator aligns with the Romantic era's emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the exploration of inner thoughts and feelings. The Romantic revolution, which occurred around the 18th and early 19th centuries, is the correct context for this comparison.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Medieval period is too early and does not align with the introspective nature of the Romantic era.
Option B: The Victorian era, while later than the Romantic period, emphasizes social issues and realism rather than introspection.
Option C: The Romantic era is correct because it emphasizes emotional expression and introspection, matching the narrator's self-absorption.
Option D: This is incorrect because the Romantic era is the appropriate context for the comparison.

Mnemonic: "Romantic Sidney's inward gaze."

220. Which of the following best characterizes Wordsworth's attitude towards the French Revolution?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) He favored its democratic impulses but was appalled by its destructive nature.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Wordsworth's attitude towards the French Revolution reflects his complex views on democracy and violence. He initially supported the revolution for its democratic ideals but later criticized its violent excesses.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Wordsworth was a staunch supporter or opponent without recognizing his nuanced perspective.

Explanations: Wordsworth's poetry and writings show his initial enthusiasm for the French Revolution's democratic principles, which he saw as a means to empower the common people. However, he became deeply critical of the revolution's violent phase, particularly the Reign of Terror, which he viewed as a betrayal of its original ideals. This duality in his attitude is evident in works like "The Prelude," where he reflects on the revolution's impact.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Wordsworth did not focus on women's rights; his concern was broader democratic principles.
Option B: Wordsworth opposed the ancien régime but was critical of the revolution's violence, not a supporter of the king.
Option C: Correct. Wordsworth supported the revolution's democratic goals but was horrified by its destructive violence.
Option D: The revolution was a significant influence on Wordsworth's work, so this is incorrect.

Mnemonic: "Revolution's Light and Shadow" - symbolizing democratic ideals overshadowed by violence.

221. A satyr play was usually performed after a.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Tragic trilogy.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Satyr plays were a type of ancient Greek comedy performed after tragic trilogies.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the order of plays in ancient Greek theater could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Satyr plays were performed after tragic trilogies to provide comic relief and parody the serious themes of the tragedies. They were an integral part of the dramatic competitions in ancient Athens.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Satyr plays followed tragic trilogies.
Option B: Incorrect. Comic performances were not the typical preceding event.
Option C: Incorrect. Heroic plays are unrelated to the context.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is provided.

Mnemonic: SATyr after TRAgic

222. Why had the new passenger not noticed the girl's hair?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Because he was captivated by her eyes.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of narrative focus and character description.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the narrative focus or misinterpreting character details.

Explanations: The passenger's attention was entirely on the girl's eyes, making him overlook her hair. This highlights the narrative technique of selective focus to emphasize certain features.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The passenger was captivated by her eyes, so he didn't notice her hair.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no mention of a cap covering her hair.
Option C: Incorrect. The passenger was not blind.
Option D: Incorrect. The girl was not bald.

Mnemonic: Focus on the eyes, not the hair.

223. Victorian novels use characterization to represent class and rank. Which of the following passages is a good example of how Thomas Hardy reveals the class tension in Return of the Native ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) All of these.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to identify how class tension is portrayed through characterization in Victorian literature, specifically in Hardy's *Return of the Native*.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is focusing on only one passage without recognizing how each contributes to the overall class tension.

Explanations: Each passage illustrates class tension through dialogue and characterization. Option A shows Humphrey's perception of social suitability, Option B reflects Eustacia's internalization of class-based opinions, and Option C highlights the heathmen's assumptions based on social status.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Humphrey's dialogue reveals class-based matchmaking, emphasizing social refinement.
Option B: Eustacia's reaction to the men's words shows how class perceptions affect her self-image.
Option C: The heathmen's assumption of a romantic connection underscores class-based matchmaking.
Option D: All passages collectively demonstrate class tension through characterization.

Mnemonic: HCE: Humphrey, Clym, Eustacia - key characters in class dynamics.

224. Aphra Behn wrote to address stereotypes for women. What was the most common dichotomy that fed these stereotypes?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The virgin and the whore.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of gender stereotypes in Aphra Behn's work and the historical dichotomy that shaped them.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific stereotypes Behn addressed, focusing on other roles instead of the sexualized binary.

Explanations: Aphra Behn's works challenged the restrictive societal stereotypes that categorized women into the "virgin" and "whore" dichotomy. This binary was a dominant framework that limited women's identities and roles, often reducing them to either the pure, chaste virgin or the promiscuous, immoral whore. Behn's writing sought to subvert this by presenting more complex and multifaceted female characters, thereby addressing and critiquing these stereotypes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The servant and the spouse refer to social hierarchies and roles, not the gender stereotypes Behn addressed.
Option B: The matron and the maven relate to roles of authority and wisdom, which are not central to the stereotypes Behn focused on.
Option C: The supporter and the scolder pertain to behavioral stereotypes but do not capture the sexualized binary central to the societal expectations of women during Behn's time.
Option D: The virgin and the whore is the correct answer as it represents the dominant dichotomy that fed the stereotypes Behn sought to address in her work.

Mnemonic: VW: Virgin and Whore

225. What mock epic begins: "What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, / What mighty contests rise from trivial things"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Pope's "The Rape of the Lock".

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of mock epics in English literature, specifically identifying the work based on its opening lines.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the mock epic with other satirical works or misremembering the author.

Explanations: The Rape of the Lock is a mock epic that satirizes the trivial concerns of upper-class society. The opening lines set the tone by suggesting that a minor romantic dispute leads to significant conflict, typical of mock epics. Other options are incorrect because they either belong to different genres or authors.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Dryden's "Mac Flecknoe" is a mock-heroic poem but does not start with the given lines.
Option B: Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" correctly begins with the specified lines, establishing its mock-epic nature.
Option C: Pope's "The Dunciad" is another mock epic but starts with different lines.
Option D: Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" is a political allegory, not a mock epic, and does not match the opening lines.

Mnemonic: Pope's Lock starts with love and conflict.

⬅ Previous SetSet 15Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 15”

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 15”

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