English Literature MCQ – Change your future

286. Who is the author/writer of the story 'The Trunk of Ganesha'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Jayanta Mahapatra

Exam Relevance: CBSE, UPSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of authors and their respective literary works.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Jayanta Mahapatra with other Indian English authors like Ruskin Bond or R. K. Narayan.

Explanations: Jayanta Mahapatra is the author of 'The Trunk of Ganesha,' a story that explores themes of tradition and modernity. The other options are incorrect because they are associated with different literary works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ruskin Bond is known for works like "The Room on the Roof," not 'The Trunk of Ganesha.'
Option B: R. K. Narayan is famous for "The Malgudi Days," not this story.
Option C: Jayanta Mahapatra is the correct author of 'The Trunk of Ganesha.'
Option D: Bhabani Bhattacharya wrote "Sheesh Mahal," not this story.

Mnemonic: Trunk-Mahapatra: Link the trunk to Jayanta Mahapatra.

287. A Passage to India was first published in.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) 1924.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the publication year of E.M. Forster's novel "A Passage to India."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing it with the publication year of Forster's other works, such as "Howards End" in 1910.

Explanations: "A Passage to India" was published in 1924, marking a significant work in English literature that critiques colonialism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 1914 is incorrect; it is associated with the publication of "Howards End."
Option B: 1921 is incorrect; it does not correspond to the publication of this novel.
Option C: 1924 is correct; it is the year "A Passage to India" was first published.
Option D: 1929 is incorrect; it is after the novel's publication.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

288. The heart of a tragedy and indeed of all drama is.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Action.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The core concept is the essential role of action in drama and tragedy.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing action with narration or thought, which are supporting elements rather than the heart of drama.

Explanations: Action is the central element of drama as it drives the plot, develops characters, and creates conflict. Without action, drama cannot effectively convey its themes or evoke emotions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Action is the central element of drama and tragedy.
Option B: Incorrect. Narration provides context but is not the heart of drama.
Option C: Incorrect. Thought adds depth but is secondary to action.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is clearly action.

Mnemonic: "Action is the Actor's Ally in any Act of Drama."

289. In 19th century..... affected the character of novel by discarding a sensationalism of 18th century.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Jane Austen

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Jane Austen's novels marked a shift from 18th-century sensationalism to realistic, character-driven narratives.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the literary movements and authors associated with them.

Explanations: Jane Austen's works, such as "Pride and Prejudice," focused on realistic social interactions and character development, moving away from the sensationalism of the 18th century.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Charlotte Bronte's works, like "Jane Eyre," are more romantic and dramatic, not aligned with discarding sensationalism.
Option B: Jane Austen's novels are known for their realism and focus on everyday life, marking a shift from 18th-century sensationalism.
Option C: Matthew Lewis was an 18th-century Gothic novelist known for sensationalist works like "The Monk."
Option D: Mrs. Radcliffe was another 18th-century Gothic novelist, famous for works like "The Mysteries of Udolpho," which were sensationalist.

Mnemonic: Austen Abandons the Absurd

290. Etymologically the word criticism means.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Judgement

Exam Relevance: GRE, TOEFL

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The word "criticism" originates from the Greek "kritikos," meaning "able to discern or judge."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the root or confusing it with modern usage.

Explanations: The term "criticism" is derived from the Greek word "kritikos," which means "able to discern or judge." This etymology directly points to the concept of making a judgement or evaluation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Analysis is a component of criticism but not its root meaning.
Option B: Judgement aligns with the Greek root "kritikos."
Option C: Evaluation is related but not the direct etymological meaning.
Option D: Agreement is unrelated to the concept of criticism.

Mnemonic: Criticism: "kritikos" means to judge.

291. Ezra Pound's "Cantos" may be called a modernist epic, though its form ultimately defies classification. Pound's poem alludes to which of the following epic poems?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Odyssey.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ezra Pound's "Cantos" draws inspiration from classical epics, particularly Homer's "The Odyssey."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific influences on Pound's work or confusing it with other epics.

Explanations: Ezra Pound's "Cantos" is influenced by Homer's "The Odyssey," as both works explore themes of journey, heroism, and the human condition. The structure and narrative techniques in "Cantos" reflect the episodic nature of "The Odyssey."

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic, not directly related to Pound's work.
Option B: Paradise Lost is a Miltonic epic, which does not align with the specific influences on "Cantos."
Option C: The Odyssey is a classical epic that shares thematic and structural similarities with "Cantos."
Option D: The Aeneid is a Roman epic, but it does not have a direct connection to Pound's poem.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

292. According to Pizan, what is the most important element in a woman's quest for equality?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Education

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The core concept is the role of education in achieving equality, as emphasized by Pizan.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing moral virtues like chastity or piety with the central focus on education.

Explanations: Pizan argued that education was crucial for women's intellectual and social development, making it the most important element in their quest for equality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Chastity was valued but not central to equality.
Option B: Piety was important but not the primary focus.
Option C: Education was essential for empowerment and equality.
Option D: Secular political activity was not Pizan's main emphasis.

Mnemonic: "Educate to Elevate"

293. Beowulf is a/an-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) An epic poem.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Beowulf is classified as an epic poem due to its length, heroic subject matter, and use of elevated language.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Beowulf with an elegy, as it contains tragic elements, but it primarily functions as an epic.

Explanations: Beowulf is an epic poem because it narrates the adventures of a hero, Beowulf, in a grand and formal style, typical of epics. It does not fit the definitions of an elegy, novel, or burlesque.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Beowulf is an epic poem.
Option B: Incorrect. An elegy mourns a death, which Beowulf is not.
Option C: Incorrect. Beowulf is not a novel; it is a poem.
Option D: Incorrect. A burlesque is humorous, which Beowulf is not.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

294. Which of the following literary terms is NOT commonly deployed in Post-Colonial theory?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Serendipity.

Exam Relevance: AQA A-Level English Literature, Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Post-Colonial theory often employs terms like mimicry, ambivalence, and hybridity to analyze colonial and post-colonial dynamics. Serendipity, referring to fortunate accidents, is not a term commonly used in this context.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be confusing serendipity with other terms like hybridity, which involves cultural blending.

Explanations: Mimicry, ambivalence, and hybridity are central to Post-Colonial theory, addressing themes of cultural imitation, conflicting identities, and cultural blending. Serendipity, however, is unrelated to these themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mimicry is a key concept in Post-Colonial theory, describing the imitation of colonizer's culture.
Option B: Ambivalence refers to mixed feelings towards colonialism, a common theme in Post-Colonial analysis.
Option C: Hybridity involves the blending of cultures, central to Post-Colonial studies.
Option D: Serendipity is unrelated to Post-Colonial theory, focusing on chance events.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic provided.

295. G.B. Shaw was awarded Nobel Prize for literature in:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) 1925.

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Tests in Literature, GRE Subject Tests in Literature, AQA and Edexcel GCSE and A-Level English Literature exams.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the knowledge of the year George Bernard Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the year with other Nobel Prize years, such as 1929, 1930, or 1949, which were awarded to other notable authors.

Explanations: George Bernard Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his contributions to literature, particularly his plays. This is a factual piece of information that is often covered in studies of English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1925.
Option B: Incorrect. The 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Thomas Mann.
Option C: Incorrect. The 1930 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Sinclair Lewis.
Option D: Incorrect. The 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to William Faulkner.

Mnemonic: Shaw's Nobel in '25, a playwriting crown he won.

296. How would you describe the phrase "oral-formulaic, " as you learned it in this course?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) As a method of composing stories in the oral tradition.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "oral-formulaic" describes a method used in the oral tradition to compose and remember stories through the use of set phrases and formulas.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "oral-formulaic" with being exclusive to religious texts or a flaw in oral traditions.

Explanations: "Oral-formulaic" refers to the use of formulas or set phrases in the oral composition of stories, aiding memorization and delivery in pre-literate societies. It is a method intrinsic to the oral tradition, not tied to religious texts, flaws, or the post-printing era.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; "oral-formulaic" is not exclusive to religious literature.
Option B: Incorrect; it describes a constructive technique, not a flaw.
Option C: Incorrect; it predates the printing press.
Option D: Correct; it is a method of oral composition.

Mnemonic: Oral-formulaic: Oral Tradition's Formula for Success.

297. The endeavour of the proponents of cultural studies is to move to the centre those works which have been.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Marginalised.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Cultural studies focus on challenging traditional literary hierarchies by highlighting works that have been overlooked or excluded from mainstream canons.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the goal of cultural studies as elevating already recognized works rather than addressing exclusion.

Explanations: Cultural studies aim to bring attention to works that have been excluded or overlooked, often due to their association with underrepresented groups or themes. This process involves challenging the existing literary canon, which tends to marginalize such works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; cultural studies do not focus on already elevated works.
Option B: Incorrect; the focus is not on awards but on challenging exclusion.
Option C: Incorrect; canonization is often critiqued, not the focus.
Option D: Correct; it reflects the goal of addressing overlooked works.

Mnemonic: Cultural Studies Marginalize the Marginalized

298. Is animating the inanimate.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Personification.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities.

Common Mistakes: Confusing personification with other literary devices like simile or hyperbole.

Explanations: Animating the inanimate involves giving life or movement to objects, which is the essence of personification.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Hyperbole involves extreme exaggeration, not animation of inanimate objects.
Option B: Exaggeration refers to overstating facts, unrelated to personification.
Option C: Simile compares two unlike things using "like" or "as," not animation.
Option D: Personification correctly describes animating inanimate objects.

Mnemonic: Personification: People in objects, making them act human.

299. What do you mean by Novel?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) A long fictional prose with many characters.

Exam Relevance: GCSE, SAT Subject Tests in English

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A novel is a long fictional prose narrative that typically features a complex plot and a large number of characters.

Common Mistakes: Confusing a novel with shorter forms of prose or dramatic works.

Explanations: A novel is distinguished by its length and the depth of its narrative, which includes multiple characters and a developed storyline. This sets it apart from shorter forms like short stories or plays meant for the stage.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because a novel is not a short prose.
Option B: Correct as it accurately describes a novel.
Option C: Incorrect because it refers to a short narrative, not a novel.
Option D: Incorrect because it describes a play, not a novel.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic needed.

300. " If they be two, they are two so A stiff twin compasses are two; Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show To move, but doth, if th' other do" - example of?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Conceit.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Conceit is an extended metaphor that explores complex ideas through unusual comparisons, often found in metaphysical poetry.

Common Mistakes: Misidentifying the quote as a simile or allusion due to its metaphorical nature.

Explanations: The quote uses a compass as a metaphor for the souls of two lovers, illustrating their connection and constancy. This is an example of a conceit, an extended metaphor typical in metaphysical poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The quote uses a conceit, an extended metaphor typical in metaphysical poetry.
Option B: Incorrect. An ode is a type of poem, not a literary device.
Option C: Incorrect. Allusion refers to a reference to another work, which is not present here.
Option D: Incorrect. A simile uses "like" or "as," which is not used in the quote.

Mnemonic: Conceit connects complex concepts with creative comparisons.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 20”

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 20”

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