English Literature MCQ – Change your future

391. Booker T. Washington's message in Up from Slavery is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) African Americans will have to help themselves by becoming educated.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Booker T. Washington's philosophy in "Up from Slavery" centers on self-reliance and education as the keys to African American progress.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Washington's approach with more radical calls for reparations or institutional change.

Explanations: Washington believed African Americans should focus on education and economic self-sufficiency to achieve equality and respect. He emphasized practical skills and hard work as the foundation for advancement.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Washington did not advocate for reparations; he focused on self-improvement.
Option B: While Washington promoted integration, he did not encourage complete acculturation to White culture.
Option C: Washington's focus was on self-help, not institutional reform.
Option D: Correct. Washington emphasized education and self-reliance as the path to advancement.

Mnemonic: Washington: Work, Education, Self-Help

392. According to Aristotle, the chief function of poetry, like other fine arts is to.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Please.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Aristotle's "Poetics" states that the chief function of poetry and fine arts is to please through imitation and evoking pleasure.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Aristotle's focus on pleasure over evaluation or inspiration.

Explanations: Aristotle emphasizes that poetry and other arts primarily serve to please by imitating life in a way that evokes aesthetic satisfaction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Aristotle's primary function of poetry is to please.
Option B: Incorrect, as evaluation is not the main purpose.
Option C: Incorrect, as making judgements is not the chief function.
Option D: Incorrect, as inspiration is a secondary effect, not the main aim.

Mnemonic: Aristotle's Art Aim: Pleasure.

393. Shakespeare is known mostly for his-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Plays

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Shakespeare is primarily known for his plays, which are central to his fame.

Common Mistakes: Common mistakes include confusing Shakespeare's works with other genres or mistakenly believing he wrote autobiographical works.

Explanations: Shakespeare is renowned for his dramatic works, particularly his plays, which are his most celebrated contributions. His plays explore complex themes and characters, making them a cornerstone of English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Poetry is a part of Shakespeare's work but not what he is most known for.
Option B: Shakespeare did not write an autobiography.
Option C: Shakespeare did not keep a diary.
Option D: Plays are Shakespeare's most famous works.

Mnemonic: "Shakespeare's Signature: Plays, Plays, Plays."

394. Hardy's Nature is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Indifferent.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Hardy's portrayal of nature is indifferent, meaning it neither helps nor hinders humanity.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Hardy's naturalism as anthropomorphic, attributing human-like qualities to nature.

Explanations: Hardy's nature is indifferent, reflecting his naturalistic view where the natural world is impersonal and unaffected by human affairs.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Hardy does not depict nature as friendly.
Option B: Correct; Hardy's nature is indifferent.
Option C: Incorrect; Nature is not vindictive in Hardy's works.
Option D: Incorrect; The correct answer is explicitly provided.

Mnemonic: Hardy's Nature is Indifferent, not Friendly or Vindictive.

395. In the first decades after the Norman Conquest, which of the following best describes the use of language in England?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Most of the English population went on speaking English with French used mostly among the upper-ruling class.

Exam Relevance: GCSE History, A-Level History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Norman Conquest introduced French as the language of the ruling class, while the majority of the English population continued to speak English.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is believing that the English quickly adopted French or that the Normans learned English for governance.

Explanations: After the Norman Conquest, the Normans, as the ruling class, used French, while the English population primarily spoke English. This linguistic divide persisted for centuries.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the English did not quickly study French. They continued to speak English.
Option B: Incorrect; the French conquerors did not need to learn English to govern.
Option C: Incorrect; Latin was not a common language for interaction between the two groups.
Option D: Correct; English was spoken by the majority, while French was used by the upper class.

Mnemonic: After the Normans came, French was for the game.

396. The poem â€˜Chicago' is written by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Carl Sandburg.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the author of a specific poem.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Carl Sandburg with other modernist poets like Ezra Pound or E.E. Cummings.

Explanations: Carl Sandburg is the author of the poem 'Chicago'. This poem is a well-known work that celebrates the city's energy and resilience.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ezra Pound is a modernist poet known for works like 'The Waste Land', not 'Chicago'.
Option B: E.E. Cummings is known for his experimental style and poems like 'i', not 'Chicago'.
Option C: Carl Sandburg is the correct author of 'Chicago'.
Option D: Carlos Williams is a modernist poet known for 'The Red Wheelbarrow', not 'Chicago'.

397. T.S. Eliot considered which of the following one of the greatest short stories ever written?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The Dead.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition Exam, Cambridge A Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of literary criticism and the ability to identify works by their genres and authors.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the genres of the works listed or confusing authors with their works.

Explanations: T.S. Eliot praised James Joyce's "The Dead" for its intricate character development and exploration of themes like love, loss, and identity. The story's use of epiphany structure and narrative technique contributed to its acclaim.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The Dead" is a short story by James Joyce, praised by Eliot.
Option B: Incorrect. "The Surrealist Manifesto" is a manifesto, not a short story.
Option C: Incorrect. "The Heart of Darkness" is a novella, not a short story.
Option D: Incorrect. "To the Lighthouse" is a novel, not a short story.

Mnemonic: Eliot's Esteem for Joyce's 'Dead'—Epic in Emotion.

398. In 1534, King Henry VIII was declared head of what church?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The English Church

Exam Relevance: GCSE History, A-Level History

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The English Church refers to the Church of England, established after Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between the English Church and the Catholic Church, as both are historical terms.

Explanations: In 1534, the Act of Supremacy declared Henry VIII the head of the English Church, marking the beginning of the Church of England.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as the Catholic Church did not recognize Henry VIII as its head.
Option B: Correct, as the English Church was established under Henry VIII's leadership.
Option C: Incorrect, as the Church of God is not the correct name for the church established in 1534.
Option D: Incorrect, as Henry VIII was not the head of both the Catholic and English Churches simultaneously.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

399. All the objects and qualities of sense perception referred to in literary works is known as

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Imagery

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language to create mental images, appealing to the senses.

Common Mistakes: Confusing imagery with other literary devices like symbols or metaphors.

Explanations: Imagery involves descriptions that engage the senses, helping readers visualize scenes or emotions. For example, "The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink" uses imagery to evoke a vivid picture.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ideology refers to a set of beliefs or ideas, not sensory descriptions.
Option B: Symbol represents something else, not the sensory details themselves.
Option C: Imagery correctly describes sensory details in literature.
Option D: Ambiguity refers to uncertainty, not sensory descriptions.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

400. Who is the writer of Winnie-the-Pooh?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Alan Alexander Milne.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of the author of a famous literary work.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the author with other well-known writers.

Explanations: Alan Alexander Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh, a classic children's book. William Shakespeare wrote plays, and J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, Alan Alexander Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh.
Option B: Incorrect, William Shakespeare wrote plays, not Winnie-the-Pooh.
Option C: Incorrect, J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, not Winnie-the-Pooh.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

401. Donne revolted against the conventions of the followers of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Spenser.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Donne's poetry rejected the conventions of Spenser's elaborate and classical style, opting for a more personal and direct approach.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the literary context and confusing Donne's rebellion with other poets' styles.

Explanations: Donne's revolt was against Spenser's followers, who adhered to classical and elaborate poetic conventions. Donne favored a more personal and direct style, marking a shift in English poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Donne did not revolt against Drayton's conventions.
Option B: Correct. Donne opposed Spenser's elaborate style.
Option C: Donne's revolt was not against Chaucer's medieval style.
Option D: Incorrect, as the correct answer is B.

Mnemonic: Donne Defied Spenser's Style.

402. John Dennis, a critic, did not like Richard Steele's "The Conscious Lovers." All of the following are reasons why Dennis did not like the play EXCEPT that:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The sets were too lavish.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of specific literary critiques and identifying exceptions in reasoning.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that all critiques relate to content, ignoring potential production aspects.

Explanations: John Dennis's critique of "The Conscious Lovers" focused on the play's characters and themes, such as Bevil Junior's servility, the lack of humor, and insufficient satire. He did not comment on the production elements like set design, making Option D the exception.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Dennis criticized Bevil Junior's servility, so this is a valid reason.
Option B: He found the play unfunny, making this a valid reason.
Option C: Dennis felt the play lacked satire, so this is a valid reason.
Option D: There is no record of Dennis criticizing the sets, making this the exception.

Mnemonic: Dennis Didn't Dislike Delightful Decor

403. The word 'Picaresque' is derived from the word.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Picaro.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The term 'picaresque' is derived from the Spanish word 'pícaro,' meaning a rogue or scoundrel.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the etymology of literary terms can lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: The word 'picaresque' comes from the Spanish term 'pícaro,' which refers to a rogue or a scoundrel. This genre of literature typically features a protagonist who is a picaro, often engaging in various adventures and misadventures.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Picara is a female form of picaro but not the origin of 'picaresque.'
Option B: Picariana is not a recognized term related to the origin of 'picaresque.'
Option C: Picaro is the correct term from which 'picaresque' is derived.
Option D: Pisaro is unrelated and likely a misspelling.

Mnemonic: Picaresque comes from Picaro, think of a rogue's tale.

404. Who is the writer of 'The Two Voices'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A. Lord Tennyson.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: 'The Two Voices' is a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, exploring themes of doubt and faith.

Common Mistakes: Confusing it with works by other authors like Shakespeare or Marlowe.

Explanations: 'The Two Voices' is a well-known poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, focusing on internal conflict. It is a key work in Victorian literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Tennyson authored the poem.
Option B: Incorrect, Shaw was a playwright, not the author of this poem.
Option C: Incorrect, Shakespeare did not write this poem.
Option D: Incorrect, Marlowe was a playwright, not the author of this poem.

Mnemonic: T for Tennyson, T for Two Voices.

405. Who is the composer of the 'Lycidas'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) John Milton

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: 'Lycidas' is a pastoral elegy by John Milton, written in memory of his friend Edward King.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other elegies like Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard."

Explanations: 'Lycidas' is a well-known poem by John Milton, a tribute to his friend Edward King. It is a classic example of a pastoral elegy, using classical allusions and exploring themes of death and friendship.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Thomas Gray wrote "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," not 'Lycidas.'
Option B: Alfred Tennyson is known for "In Memoriam A.H.H." and other works, not 'Lycidas.'
Option C: John Milton is the correct composer of 'Lycidas.'
Option D: John Keats wrote odes like "Ode to a Nightingale," not 'Lycidas.'

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

⬅ Previous SetSet 27Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 27”

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 27”

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