English Literature MCQ – Change your future

346. Which of these is a proverb?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The man with a miserable life is never tired of it.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: A proverb is a short saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the definition of a proverb or confusing it with other literary devices like fables or myths.

Explanations: The man with a miserable life is never tired of it is a proverb because it succinctly conveys a general observation about human nature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Arachne is a figure from Greek mythology, not a proverb.
Option B: The affair of the Horns refers to a specific event or story, not a general truth.
Option C: The man with a miserable life is never tired of it is a proverb as it conveys a general truth.
Option D: Why monkeys live in trees is a question, not a proverb.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

347. Name the author of The New Criticism.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) John Crowe Ransom.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The New Criticism is a literary theory emphasizing close textual analysis. John Crowe Ransom is its key author.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between contributors to the New Criticism and its primary author.

Explanations: John Crowe Ransom authored "The New Criticism," a foundational text in literary theory that emphasizes close reading and formal analysis of texts. This approach contrasts with previous methods that focused on authorial intent or historical context.

Option Analysis:

Option A: F. R. Leavis was associated with the Cambridge School, not the New Criticism.
Option B: Allen Tate was a poet and essayist who wrote about the New Criticism but did not author the book.
Option C: John Crowe Ransom authored "The New Criticism," making him the correct answer.
Option D: R. P. Blackmur was a critic who contributed to the movement but did not author the book.

Mnemonic: "Ransom's New Criticism" links the author to the theory.

348. When did John Milton die?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 8 November 1674.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the death date of John Milton, a key figure in English literature.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse John Milton's death date with that of other poets like John Dryden.

Explanations: John Milton, renowned for works like "Paradise Lost," died on 8 November 1674. This date is a significant fact in the study of English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 4 February 1702 is the death date of John Dryden, not Milton.
Option B: 2 June 1700 does not correspond to any major event in Milton's life.
Option C: 17 April 1688 is unrelated to Milton's death.
Option D: 8 November 1674 is the correct date of Milton's death.

Mnemonic: "Milton's end in '674."

349. Although different in tone, Soujourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" and David Walker's "Appeal in Four Articles" are similar in what way?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Their appeals to Christians.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Both works appeal to Christian values to argue for equality and justice.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the religious context of the texts.

Explanations: Sojourner Truth's speech and David Walker's "Appeal" both target Christian audiences, using religious arguments to advocate for social justice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Neither text supports violence.
Option B: Walker's focus is not on women's rights.
Option C: Both texts appeal to Christian values.
Option D: Neither text advocates for self-governance.

Mnemonic: Christian Appeal in Both Texts

350. This famous neoclassical poet wrote on profound themes such as death, but he also had a lighter side. He once wrote an ode to a cat drowned in a tub of gold fishes.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Thomas Gray

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of neoclassical poets and their specific works, distinguishing between serious and lighter themes.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Thomas Gray with other neoclassical poets like Alexander Pope or William Collins, who also wrote odes but not the specific one mentioned.

Explanations: Thomas Gray is known for his neoclassical poetry, including profound themes like death in "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard." He also wrote lighter works, such as "Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes," which matches the description in the question.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Alexander Pope is known for satirical works like "The Rape of the Lock," not for the specific poem mentioned.
Option B: William Collins wrote odes but not the one about the cat.
Option C: Thomas Gray wrote both serious and whimsical poetry, including the referenced ode.
Option D: Ben Jonson was an Elizabethan playwright, not a neoclassical poet, and did not write the poem.

Mnemonic: Gray's cat met a watery fate, while Pope and Collins wrote more weighty dates.

351. Because of the Enlightenment, the relationship between faith and reason changed during the 18th century. Which of the following is the most accurate description of that relationship?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The claims of faith were balanced against the claims of reason.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Enlightenment era encouraged critical thinking and the use of reason, which led to a reevaluation of traditional beliefs, including religious faith. This period did not completely discard faith but sought to examine it alongside rational thought.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking that the Enlightenment completely rejected faith, but it actually sought a balance between reason and belief.

Explanations: The Enlightenment promoted the use of reason to question and understand the world, including religious beliefs. This led to a more critical examination of faith, where its claims were weighed against rational arguments rather than being accepted or dismissed outright.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The Enlightenment did not dismiss faith entirely; it sought to understand it through reason.
Option B: Incorrect. Faith was not accepted without question; the period encouraged skepticism and critical thinking.
Option C: Correct. The Enlightenment balanced faith against reason, examining both critically.
Option D: Incorrect. Reason did not determine faith to be unreasonable; it sought to understand and evaluate it.

Mnemonic: Balance of Belief and Logic

352. Edward King, a minor poet and a contemporary of Milton's at Cambridge, was drowned at sea in 1637. Milton wrote an elegy for him. What was the title of this poem?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Lycidas.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of John Milton's elegies and their historical context.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Lycidas with other Miltonian works like Paradise Lost or II Penseroso.

Explanations: John Milton wrote "Lycidas" as an elegy for his Cambridge contemporary Edward King, who drowned in 1637. The poem uses classical and Christian allusions to explore themes of death and immortality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Lycidas" is Milton's elegy for Edward King.
Option B: Incorrect. "Paradise Lost" is Milton's epic poem about the fall of man.
Option C: Incorrect. "II Penseroso" is a poem about contemplation, not an elegy.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct title is "Lycidas."

Mnemonic: Lycidas for loss, Milton's mournful toss.

353. Francis Bacon was the Father of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Essay.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Francis Bacon is known as the father of the essay in English literature.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the contributions of Francis Bacon to different literary forms.

Explanations: Francis Bacon is recognized as the father of the essay in English literature. He popularized the essay form through his works, which were characterized by their philosophical insights and structured arguments. His essays covered a wide range of topics, including ethics, society, and human nature, establishing the essay as a significant literary genre.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Francis Bacon did not father the novel. The novel evolved later and was popularized by authors like Daniel Defoe and Samuel Richardson.
Option B: Francis Bacon did not father drama. Drama was prominent during the Elizabethan era with playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe.
Option C: Francis Bacon did not father poetry. Poetry has a long history in English literature, with notable poets like Chaucer and Spenser preceding him.
Option D: Correct. Francis Bacon is recognized as the father of the essay in English literature.

Mnemonic: Bacon's Essays: Building Blocks of Thought

354. Who is the youngest literature laureate to win Nobel Prize

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Rudyard Kipling.

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Test in Literature, GRE Subject Test in Literature in English

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Nobel Prize laureates in literature and their ages at the time of winning.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Rudyard Kipling with other laureates who won at a younger age, though none exist in this context.

Explanations: Rudyard Kipling won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 at the age of 42, making him the youngest laureate in the category. Other laureates listed were older at the time of their awards.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Rudyard Kipling was the youngest literature laureate to win the Nobel Prize.
Option B: Incorrect. Karl Gjellerup was older than Kipling when he won.
Option C: Incorrect. Nelly Sachs was older than Kipling when she won.
Option D: Incorrect. Harry Martinson was older than Kipling when he won.

Mnemonic: Rudyard Kipling, young and winning.

355. What are some of the hallmarks or conventions of the poetic form of the ode?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Complexity in language, lengthiness in form, and seriousness in attitude.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The ode is a formal poetic form characterized by complexity in language, lengthiness in form, and a serious tone.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the formal and elaborate nature of odes, confusing them with simpler or more humorous poetic forms.

Explanations: Odes use complex language and structures to explore themes deeply. They are lengthy, often with multiple stanzas, and maintain a serious, contemplative tone.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because odes are not simple or humorous.
Option B: Correct as it accurately describes the characteristics of an ode.
Option C: Incorrect because it combines simplicity and humor, which are not features of odes.
Option D: Incorrect because brevity and humor do not align with odes.

Mnemonic: Odes are Complex, Lengthy, and Solemn (O.C.L.S.).

356. What unforgivable action does Mag Smith take in Chapter One of Our Nig?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) She marries a Black man.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the understanding of societal norms and their impact on individual choices in historical contexts.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is misunderstanding the societal expectations of the time, leading to incorrect assumptions about which actions were considered unforgivable.

Explanations: In Chapter One of Our Nig, Mag Smith's decision to marry a Black man is unforgivable because it defies the societal norms of the time, which expected Black individuals to marry White people to improve their social status. This choice highlights the constraints and pressures placed on individuals by racial and social hierarchies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Passing as White was a common strategy for survival and social mobility, not an unforgivable action.
Option B: Washing clothes for White women was a typical job for Black women and not seen as unforgivable.
Option C: Accepting help from a man was not socially condemned.
Option D: Marrying a Black man defied societal norms and was considered unforgivable.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

357. What is generally considered to be Theodor W. Adorno's primary concern as a theorist?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The effect of modern society on human suffering.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, Cambridge English Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Theodor W. Adorno's primary concern was the impact of modern society on human suffering, particularly through mechanisms like alienation and the commodification of culture.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Adorno's focus with other theorists, such as those emphasizing literature's enlightening role or psychoanalytic concepts.

Explanations: Adorno critiqued modern society for fostering alienation and suffering through mass culture and economic systems. His work examines how these structures dehumanize individuals and perpetuate social inequality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Adorno focused on society's impact, not literature's enlightening effects.
Option B: Correct; Adorno's work centers on modern society's role in human suffering.
Option C: Incorrect; Adorno did not specialize in women's concerns.
Option D: Incorrect; This pertains to psychoanalysis, not Adorno's focus.

Mnemonic: Adorno's Aim: Analyzing Alienation in Modernity

358. The Dorian Ode is also known as the

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Pindaric Ode.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Dorian Ode is another name for the Pindaric Ode, which is a form of ode characterized by its structure and style inspired by the ancient Greek poet Pindar.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Dorian Ode with other types of odes, such as the Spenserian or Roman Odes, which have different structures and origins.

Explanations: The Dorian Ode is also known as the Pindaric Ode because it follows the style and structure of Pindar, an ancient Greek poet known for his odes celebrating athletic victories and other grand events. The term "Dorian" refers to the Doric mode or style associated with Pindar's odes, which are characterized by their complex structure, use of strophe, antistrophe, and epode, and their grandiloquent language.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Roman Ode is incorrect because it refers to a different form of ode, often associated with Latin poets like Horace, and not related to the Dorian or Pindaric Ode.
Option B: The English Ode is incorrect because it is a general term for odes written in English and does not specifically refer to the Dorian or Pindaric Ode.
Option C: The Pindaric Ode is correct because it is another name for the Dorian Ode, referring to the style and structure inspired by Pindar.
Option D: The Spenserian Ode is incorrect because it refers to a specific type of ode associated with the English poet Edmund Spenser and his use of a more regular stanzaic form, distinct from the Pindaric or Dorian Ode.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

359. The novel 'Talisman' is written by-

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

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to identify the author of a specific literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Sir Walter Scott with other Romantic era authors.

Explanations: Sir Walter Scott is the author of 'Talisman'. This novel is part of his body of work known for historical romances.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Jane Austen wrote novels like 'Pride and Prejudice', not 'Talisman'.
Option B: Charles Dickens is known for works such as 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'.
Option C: Sir Walter Scott wrote 'Talisman', a historical novel.
Option D: Oliver Goldsmith wrote 'The Vicar of Wakefield', not 'Talisman'.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

360. In Book One of "Paradise Lost, " the narrator identifies the fallen angels or devils by what names?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The names of pagan gods.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In "Paradise Lost," fallen angels are named after pagan gods to symbolize their former glory and fallen state.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the symbolic use of names in literature.

Explanations: The fallen angels are named after pagan gods to reflect their grandeur before their fall, linking them to classical mythology.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The names are not surnames; they are mythological figures.
Option B: Correct; names like Satan (from the Hebrew "Shaitan") and Beelzebub (from Philistine god Baal) are used.
Option C: The names are not of countries; they are mythological.
Option D: The names do not refer to future angelic roles but their fallen identities.

Mnemonic: Pagan Names for Fallen Fame

⬅ Previous SetSet 24Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 24”

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 24”

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