English Literature MCQ – Change your future

301. But when to their feminine rage the indignation of the people is added, when the ignorant and the poor are aroused, when the unintelligent brute force that lies at the bottom of society is made to growl and mow, it needs the habit of magnanimity and religion to treat it godlike as a trifle of no concernment. What does "mow" mean in this context?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) To grimace.

Exam Relevance: SAT, GRE

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Understanding the context and less common meanings of words.

Common Mistakes: Misinterpreting "mow" as its more common meaning related to cutting grass.

Explanations: In the context, "mow" refers to a facial expression of anger or aggression, aligning with "grimace." The other options do not fit the aggressive tone of the sentence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as "grimace" fits the context of an angry expression.
Option B: Incorrect, as "bleat" refers to sheep noise, unrelated to the context.
Option C: Incorrect, as "lift heavy things" does not fit the aggressive tone.
Option D: Incorrect, as "cut grass" is the common meaning but not applicable here.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

302. This is type of story often develops from a real historical person or event, but takes on fictional elements as it gets passed along.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Legend

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Legends are traditional stories based on real historical events or people but include fictional elements.

Common Mistakes: Confusing legends with myths, which explain natural phenomena or cultural practices.

Explanations: Legends originate from real historical events or figures but are embellished with fictional details over time. For example, the legend of Robin Hood is based on a historical outlaw but includes fictional elements like his Merry Men and their adventures in Sherwood Forest.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Myths explain natural phenomena or cultural practices, not real historical events. Example: Greek myths about gods and goddesses.
Option B: Legends are based on real historical events or people but include fictional elements. Example: The legend of King Arthur and the Round Table.
Option C: Fables use animals to convey moral lessons and are entirely fictional. Example: Aesop's fables like "The Tortoise and the Hare."
Option D: Tall tales are exaggerated stories meant for entertainment, not based on real events. Example: The tall tale of Paul Bunyan.

Mnemonic: Legends are based on real-life events, while myths explain the world, fables teach morals, and tall tales are just for fun.

303. 'Bliss was it, in that Dawn to be alive But to be young was very heaven.' Who has written these lines?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Wordsworth.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The lines are from William Wordsworth's "The Prelude," a reflective poem on nature and youth.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with Shelley or Browning, other Romantic poets.

Explanations: William Wordsworth wrote "The Prelude," which includes the given lines. The poem captures the joy of youth and nature, characteristic of Wordsworth's work.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Shelley did not write these lines; he focused more on political and social themes.
Option B: Browning's work often dealt with psychological and dramatic themes, not these lines.
Option C: Wordsworth wrote "The Prelude," containing the given lines.
Option D: Incorrect, as the answer is C.

Mnemonic: "Wordsworth's Dawn of Youthful Bliss"

304. In the last lines of the poem Virtue, Herbert metaphorically compares a..... to the virtuous Soul.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Seasoned timber

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem uses a metaphor to compare the virtuous soul to seasoned timber, emphasizing strength and resilience gained over time.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the metaphor or confusing it with other natural elements like flowers or food.

Explanations: In "Virtue," Herbert compares the virtuous soul to seasoned timber, symbolizing strength and endurance. Seasoned timber is durable and resilient, much like a soul that has been refined by experiences and time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A seasonal flower is temporary and does not represent the enduring nature of virtue.
Option B: Seasoned timber symbolizes strength and resilience, aligning with the virtuous soul's qualities.
Option C: Seasonal food is temporary and unrelated to the metaphor's meaning.
Option D: Incorrect because the poem explicitly uses the metaphor of seasoned timber.

Mnemonic: Seasoned timber stands strong, like a virtuous soul in Herbert's song.

305. Maggie is the central character in George Eliot's:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Mill on the Floss.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of central characters in George Eliot's novels.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Maggie with characters from Eliot's other works, such as Dorothea Brooke from "Middlemarch."

Explanations: George Eliot's "The Mill on the Floss" focuses on Maggie Tulliver, whose struggles and relationships drive the narrative. The other options feature different protagonists, making them incorrect.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Adam Bede" features Adam Bede as the central character, not Maggie.
Option B: "Middlemarch" centers on Dorothea Brooke, not Maggie.
Option C: "The Mill on the Floss" is correctly associated with Maggie Tulliver.
Option D: "Silas Marner" focuses on Silas Marner, not Maggie.

Mnemonic: Maggie and the Mill: "Maggie" starts with M, as does "Mill."

306. Wanders in that happy valley Through two luminous windows saw Spirits moving musically To a lute's well-tunÃ©d law, Round about a throne, where sitting (Porphyrogene!) In state his glory well befitting, The sovereign of the realm was seen. What does Porphyrogene mean?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Of royal birth.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "Porphyrogene" refers to someone of royal lineage, derived from Greek words meaning purple and race.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as related to freedom or a medical condition.

Explanations: "Porphyrogene" combines "porphyra" (purple) and "genos" (lineage), symbolizing royalty through the historical use of purple for royal attire.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the term does not relate to freedom.
Option B: Incorrect; unrelated to the disease Porphyria.
Option C: Correct; signifies royal birth.
Option D: Incorrect; focuses on clothing, not lineage.

Mnemonic: Purple Royalty Born

307. Why do you think the uncle was named the "Unnatural Uncle"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The Eskimo's felt that family was important and to try to harm a family member was not normal or natural.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The name "Unnatural Uncle" reflects the cultural value of family among the Eskimos, where harming a family member is seen as unnatural.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming the name is due to pronunciation or tradition rather than cultural values.

Explanations: The name "Unnatural Uncle" highlights the Eskimos' belief in the importance of family. The uncle's harmful actions were considered unnatural, hence the name.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The name reflects the cultural value of family and the unnaturalness of harming a family member.
Option B: Incorrect. Pronunciation is not the reason for the name.
Option C: Incorrect. Not all Eskimo myths use this name.
Option D: Incorrect. The name was chosen for its meaning, not because the tale was written down.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

308. "The Discovery of Guiana" is what author's account of discovering an area of the New World?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Sir Walter Raleigh.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of English literary authors and their works related to exploration.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Sir Walter Raleigh and other Elizabethan authors like Sir Philip Sidney or Sir Thomas More, who are known for different literary contributions.

Explanations: Sir Walter Raleigh wrote "The Discovery of Guiana," detailing his explorations in South America. This work is significant for its historical and literary value, reflecting the period's interest in the New World.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sir Thomas More is known for "Utopia," not related to Raleigh's exploratory accounts.
Option B: Sir Philip Sidney was a poet, not an explorer, and his works do not include accounts of Guiana.
Option C: Sir Walter Raleigh authored "The Discovery of Guiana," making this the correct choice.
Option D: John Foxe wrote "The Book of Martyrs," unrelated to Raleigh's explorations.

Mnemonic: Raleigh's Riches in Guiana

309. In "Of Poetry in General, " William Hazlitt contends that good poetry comes from .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Strong feeling.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: William Hazlitt argues that good poetry stems from strong feelings and emotions rather than intellect or personal pain.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Hazlitt's emphasis on emotion over intellect or personal experience.

Explanations: Hazlitt asserts that poetry is born from deep feelings and emotions, not just intellectual thought. He believes that genuine poetic expression comes from the heart, reflecting human experiences and passions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Hazlitt dismisses intellect as the primary source of poetry.
Option B: While personal pain can inspire poetry, Hazlitt doesn't limit it to personal suffering.
Option C: Hazlitt emphasizes that poetry arises from strong feelings and emotions.
Option D: Rewriting Homer is unrelated to Hazlitt's focus on emotional inspiration.

Mnemonic: Feelings Fuel Poetry

310. Complete the following sentence. Wordsworth's advocacy of poets drawing on the "language really used by men" in his preface to Lyrical Ballads represents:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A radical break with 18th-century rules on elevated diction.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Wordsworth's emphasis on using the language of common people was a key aspect of Romanticism, contrasting with the formal diction of the 18th century.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the shift from neoclassical to Romantic styles could lead to confusion with continuity rather than break.

Explanations: Wordsworth's advocacy for the "language really used by men" was a deliberate rejection of the elevated, artificial diction favored in 18th-century poetry. This approach was part of the Romantic movement's emphasis on authenticity, simplicity, and the experiences of ordinary people, marking a significant departure from the neoclassical style.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Wordsworth's use of common language was a radical break from the 18th-century emphasis on elevated diction.
Option B: Incorrect. Alexander Pope was a neoclassical poet who used elevated diction, which Wordsworth rejected.
Option C: Incorrect. Wordsworth's focus was on nature and the common experiences of people, not a rejection of nature.
Option D: Incorrect. Wordsworth advocated against elaborate figurative language, promoting simplicity instead.

Mnemonic: Real Language, Radical Change

311. According to Amma, Gopi got frequent promotions because

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) He was born under Kesariyogam.

Exam Relevance: CBSE English Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept revolves around the influence of astrology on personal success, as explained by Amma.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming promotions are solely due to personal effort or connections, ignoring astrological influences.

Explanations: Amma attributes Gopi's promotions to Kesariyogam, an astrological condition linked to success and recognition.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The text does not mention connections with powerful people.
Option B: While Gopi might be hardworking, the text attributes his success to astrology.
Option C: There is no evidence of Gopi having a charismatic personality.
Option D: Correct, as per Amma's explanation.

Mnemonic: Kesariyogam Key to Success

312. Theodor Adorno's "Culture Industry Reconsidered" further examines the notion of the "culture industry" and suggests which of the following about the "culture industry?"

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Both A and B.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The culture industry, as discussed by Adorno, standardizes aesthetic taste and replaces high and low culture with mass culture.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Adorno's critique as promoting high culture instead of critiquing mass culture.

Explanations: Adorno's analysis in "Culture Industry Reconsidered" highlights how the culture industry standardizes aesthetic taste and value, replacing traditional distinctions between high and low culture with mass culture. This aligns with both options A and B.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The culture industry replaces high and low culture with mass culture.
Option B: Correct. The culture industry aims to standardize aesthetic taste and value.
Option C: Incorrect. The culture industry does not promote high culture but critiques it.
Option D: Correct. Both A and B are accurate.

Mnemonic: Adorno's A and B: A for mass culture, B for standardized taste.

313. The events in "All for Love" took place in ancient Rome, but one can easily identify the parallels between Antony and Charles II. Ventidius's counsel to Antony could just as well be given to Charles II. What did Ventidius suggest to Antony?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) To learn how to rule himself.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The play "All for Love" explores themes of leadership and self-control through the character of Antony. Ventidius's advice reflects the importance of personal discipline for effective leadership.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Ventidius's advice with military strategies or romantic distractions, leading them to choose options C or D.

Explanations: Ventidius emphasizes that Antony's inability to control himself undermines his ability to lead. This advice mirrors the idea that effective leadership begins with self-mastery.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Ventidius advises Antony to focus on self-control, which is essential for leadership.
Option B: Incorrect. While ruling others is important, Ventidius specifically addresses self-control.
Option C: Incorrect. This option introduces a military action not mentioned by Ventidius.
Option D: Incorrect. Ventidius does not suggest forming an alliance against Rome.

Mnemonic: Ventidius: Self-Rule First

314. Horace wants the theme of poetry to be.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Charming and attractive.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Horace emphasized that poetry should be charming and attractive, focusing on emotional and aesthetic appeal.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Horace's emphasis on charm over factual content or simplicity.

Explanations: Horace valued poetry for its ability to charm and attract, prioritizing emotional and imaginative impact over mere information or simplicity.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Horace emphasized charm and attractiveness in poetry.
Option B: Incorrect, as Horace focused on emotional impact, not just facts.
Option C: Incorrect, as simplicity was not his primary concern.
Option D: Incorrect, as complexity alone does not define his view.

Mnemonic: "Charm Captivates, Facts Inform"

315. In which university Edgar Allan Poe enrolled midway in the academic year?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) University of Virginia.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, SAT Subject Tests in Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Edgar Allan Poe's enrollment at the University of Virginia is a key fact in his biography.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Poe's educational institutions with those of other writers or historical figures.

Explanations: Edgar Allan Poe enrolled at the University of Virginia midway through the academic year. This is a well-documented fact in his biography, where he attended for only a short period before leaving due to financial difficulties and personal issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Poe enrolled at the University of Virginia.
Option B: Incorrect. Poe did not attend the University of Boston.
Option C: Incorrect. Poe did not attend the University of Philadelphia.
Option D: Incorrect. Poe did not attend the University of New York.

Mnemonic: "Poe's Virginia Years"

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 21”

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 21”

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