English Literature MCQ – Change your future

256. Great Expectations is a novel written by-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Charles Dickens.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the author of a well-known novel.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Charles Dickens with other Victorian authors.

Explanations: Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1861. It is one of his most famous works, known for its themes of ambition, wealth, and social class.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations.
Option B: Incorrect. Thomas Hardy wrote novels like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd.
Option C: Incorrect. Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.
Option D: Incorrect. Henry Fielding wrote Tom Jones.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

257. In the play, "Hamlet, " who is Yorick?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) King Hamletâ€™s former jester.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Yorick is a key character in "Hamlet," serving as the court jester of King Hamlet. His appearance in the play is pivotal for Hamlet's reflections on mortality.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Yorick with other characters, such as Hamlet's school friend or the King of Norway.

Explanations: Yorick was King Hamlet's jester, whose skull Hamlet discovers in the graveyard, leading to profound meditations on life and death.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Yorick was King Hamlet's jester, whose skull Hamlet encounters.
Option B: Incorrect. Yorick is not Hamlet's school friend.
Option C: Incorrect. The King of Norway is Fortinbras.
Option D: Incorrect. Yorick is not a guard but a jester.

Mnemonic: Yorick's jests turned to dust, Hamlet's thoughts on life and trust.

258. Milton continued his studies at Cambridge. Which college of the university did he attend?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Christ's College.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of John Milton's educational background.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the colleges associated with other literary figures.

Explanations: John Milton attended Christ's College at the University of Cambridge. This is a well-documented fact about his early life and education.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Pembroke College is not where Milton studied.
Option B: Trinity College is another Cambridge college but not Milton's.
Option C: Christ's College is correct as it is where Milton attended.
Option D: St. Xavier's College is not part of Cambridge University.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

259. What was the " solitary highland lass" doing in " The Solitary Reaper" ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) She was reaping and singing.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature and Composition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth depicts a young woman reaping and singing in a Highland field.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the poem's imagery or conflating it with other poems about reapers or harvesters.

Explanations: The poem explicitly describes the "solitary highland lass" reaping and singing, highlighting her song's beauty and her isolation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the poem describes her reaping and singing.
Option B: Incorrect, as there is no mention of dancing.
Option C: Incorrect, as dancing is not part of the scene.
Option D: Incorrect, as crying is not described.

Mnemonic: Reap and Sing, Lass of the Highland.

260. The plot of Jane Austen novels are

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Romantic.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Jane Austen's novels primarily focus on romantic relationships and societal expectations, making their plots Romantic.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the themes of Austen's works could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Jane Austen's novels are centered around romantic relationships, courtship, and marriage, which are key elements of Romantic literature. Her works explore the social and emotional dynamics of these relationships within the context of 18th and 19th-century English society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Jane Austen's novels are Romantic in nature, focusing on love and societal expectations.
Option B: Incorrect. The plots are not unromantic; they are deeply engaged with romantic themes.
Option C: Incorrect. There are no supernatural elements in Austen's works.
Option D: Incorrect. While some novels have tragic elements, they are not primarily tragic in nature.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

261. John Keats would probably NOT have written a poem celebrating .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Political and philosophical conservatism.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Keats' poetry primarily explores themes of beauty, love, and artistic creation, rather than political or philosophical conservatism.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Keats' work aligns with conservative political views, when in fact, his focus is on personal and aesthetic themes.

Explanations: Keats' poetry is characterized by its exploration of beauty in nature, the pains of love, and the nature of artistic creation. He does not celebrate political or philosophical conservatism, as his work is more introspective and aesthetic.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Keats often celebrated the beauty of nature, as seen in poems like "Ode to a Nightingale."
Option B: The pains of love are a recurring theme in Keats' work, such as in "Isabella" and "The Eve of St. Agnes."
Option C: Keats' poetry does not focus on political or philosophical conservatism; his themes are more personal and aesthetic.
Option D: Keats explored the nature of artistic creation in works like "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

Mnemonic: "Keats' Conservatism? Not His Main Focus."

262. Which of the following represents a stage of development in the poetic form of the elegy?

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

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The elegy traditionally progresses through stages of lamentation, praise, and consolation.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the structure of an elegy as focusing only on grief or praise.

Explanations: The elegy typically includes three stages: lamentation (expressing grief), praise (honoring the deceased), and consolation (finding solace). Each option represents one of these stages, making D the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Represents the first stage of lamentation but not the entire development.
Option B: Represents the second stage of praise but not the entire development.
Option C: Represents the third stage of consolation but not the entire development.
Option D: Correctly includes all stages of the elegy.

Mnemonic: LPC - Lamentation, Praise, Consolation

263. 'Love and Friendship' is written by-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Jane Austen

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the authorship of the literary work 'Love and Friendship'.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Jane Austen with other authors of the same period.

Explanations: 'Love and Friendship' is a novella written by Jane Austen, showcasing her early writing style and themes of romance and societal norms. The other authors listed are known for different genres and works unrelated to this specific text.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Francis Bacon was a philosopher and essayist, not known for writing novels like 'Love and Friendship'.
Option B: Jane Austen is the correct author of 'Love and Friendship'.
Option C: Jonathan Swift is known for 'Gulliver's Travels' and satirical works, not this novel.
Option D: Incorrect, as Jane Austen is the correct author.

Mnemonic: "Love and Friendship" by Jane, not Bacon or Swift—remember her romantic themes.

264. Celia disguises herself as.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Aliena.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character disguises in Shakespeare's *As You Like It*.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Celia's disguise with Rosalind's, who becomes Ganymede.

Explanations: In *As You Like It*, Celia disguises herself as Aliena to accompany Rosalind into the Forest of Arden. This disguise allows them to navigate the forest safely and explore themes of identity and gender roles.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Celia becomes Aliena.
Option B: Incorrect. Touchstone is a court jester, not a disguise.
Option C: Incorrect. Frederick is the antagonist, not a disguise.
Option D: Incorrect. Ganymede is Rosalind's disguise, not Celia's.

Mnemonic: Celia becomes Aliena, just like Rosalind becomes Ganymede.

265. Yeats used the phrase 'the artifice of eternity' in his poem?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Sailing to Byzantium

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The phrase 'the artifice of eternity' is a key element in Yeats' exploration of art and immortality in "Sailing to Byzantium."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the phrase with other themes in Yeats' work, such as the gyre in "The Second Coming."

Explanations: In "Sailing to Byzantium," Yeats uses the phrase to emphasize the crafted nature of art that achieves eternal significance. The other poems listed do not contain this specific phrase.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the phrase is central to the poem's theme of art and eternity.
Option B: Incorrect, as "Byzantium" does not include the phrase.
Option C: Incorrect, as "The Second Coming" focuses on the gyre and the end of an era.
Option D: Incorrect, as "Leda and the Swan" deals with the myth of Leda and Zeus.

Mnemonic: Artifice + Art = Byzantium

266. In the play, "Twelfth Night, " what does Viola refer to herself as when she disguises herself as a man?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Cesario

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Viola assumes the identity of Cesario to serve Duke Orsino.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Cesario with other male characters in the play.

Explanations: Viola disguises herself as Cesario to work for Duke Orsino, which is a key plot point in "Twelfth Night."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Orsino is the Duke, not Viola's disguise.
Option B: Sir Toby is a knight, unrelated to Viola's disguise.
Option C: Antonio is a sea captain, not involved in Viola's disguise.
Option D: Cesario is the name Viola uses when disguised as a man.

Mnemonic: Viola's "C" becomes "Cesario."

267. Charles Lamb was.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) An Essayist.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Charles Lamb is recognized primarily for his essays, particularly "Essays of Elia."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Lamb's primary literary contribution.

Explanations: Charles Lamb was a renowned essayist, best known for his "Essays of Elia," which are celebrated for their wit and insight. He did not write novels, epic poems, or plays.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Lamb was an essayist.
Option B: Incorrect. Lamb was not a novelist.
Option C: Incorrect. Lamb did not write epic poems.
Option D: Incorrect. Lamb was not a dramatist.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

268. The sentence, "Death, thou shalt not die." is an example of .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Paradox.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with irony, thinking it's about the opposite of what is expected.

Explanations: The sentence combines contradictory ideas: death is told it cannot die, which is impossible, creating a paradox.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare, which isn't present here.
Option B: A metaphor equates two things directly, but the contradiction makes it a paradox.
Option C: Irony involves a discrepancy between expectation and reality, not contradiction.
Option D: A paradox presents contradictory ideas, which fits the sentence.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

269. Dystopias are usually set in the.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Future.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Dystopian literature is characterized by its portrayal of a grim, often futuristic society, serving as a cautionary tale about potential societal issues.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing dystopias with historical or contemporary settings, as the genre often includes elements that reflect current issues but is set in the future.

Explanations: Dystopias are set in the future to explore the potential consequences of current trends or policies, serving as cautionary tales about societal issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; dystopias are not primarily set in the past.
Option B: Incorrect; while some elements may reflect the present, the setting is typically future-oriented.
Option C: Correct; dystopias are usually set in the future to explore potential societal issues.
Option D: Incorrect; dystopias are grounded in plausible futures, not mythical settings.

Mnemonic: Dystopias Depict Dismal Days Ahead

270. Does the personal name Lucy (in Wordsworth's poetry) stands for

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Dorothy.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: In Wordsworth's poetry, the name Lucy symbolizes his sister Dorothy.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Lucy with other female figures in Wordsworth's life or works.

Explanations: Wordsworth's poems about Lucy are tributes to his sister Dorothy, reflecting their close bond and her influence on his work.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Anneta Vallon was Wordsworth's French mistress, not related to Lucy.
Option B: Dorothy was Wordsworth's sister and the inspiration for Lucy.
Option C: Lucy is not derived from folk song heroines but from Dorothy.
Option D: Incorrect because Lucy stands for Dorothy.

Mnemonic: Lucy = Dorothy: "Lucy's Light, Dorothy's Might."

⬅ Previous SetSet 18Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 18”

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 18”

Leave a Reply