English Literature MCQ – Change your future

406. Desdemona was the daughter of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Brabantio.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character relationships in Shakespeare's "Othello."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Desdemona's father with her husband, Othello.

Explanations: In "Othello," Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian senator. This is a key detail about her character and background in the play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Othello is Desdemona's husband, not her father.
Option B: Brabantio is correctly identified as Desdemona's father.
Option C: Cassio is a military officer in the play, unrelated to Desdemona as a father.
Option D: Iago is a manipulative character, not Desdemona's father.

Mnemonic: Brabantio's daughter is Desdemona, not Othello's.

407. Which author relied on complex characters and dialect to overturn American stereotypes about Southern African Americans?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Charles Chesnutt.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of authors who used literary techniques to challenge racial stereotypes in American literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Charles Chesnutt with Richard Wright, as both wrote about African American experiences, but in different contexts.

Explanations: Charles Chesnutt's works, such as "The Conjure Woman," feature complex African American characters and use dialect to authentically represent Southern culture, thereby challenging stereotypes. His approach was unique in its depth and nuance compared to other authors of his time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Wells Brown focused on abolitionist themes and did not emphasize complex characters or dialect in the same way.
Option B: Richard Wright's works, like "Native Son," addressed urban African American experiences and social issues, not Southern stereotypes through dialect.
Option C: Charles Chesnutt's use of dialect and complex characters in stories set in the South directly overturned stereotypes about Southern African Americans.
Option D: Booker T. Washington was an educator and author focused on self-help and racial uplift, not literary portrayals of characters.

Mnemonic: Chesnutt Challenges Stereotypes with Characters.

408. Which of the following plays of Shakespeare has an epilogue?

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

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The concept tested is the identification of plays with an epilogue.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the presence of an epilogue with other concluding elements like a final scene or resolution.

Explanations: The Tempest includes an epilogue where Prospero speaks directly to the audience, making it the correct answer. Other plays listed do not have an epilogue.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Tempest has an epilogue delivered by Prospero.
Option B: Henry IV, Pt I does not have an epilogue.
Option C: Hamlet does not include an epilogue.
Option D: Twelfth Night does not have an epilogue.

Mnemonic: The Tempest's tale ends with an epilogue, so A is the right choice.

409. Complete this Shakespearan line - Let me not to the marriage of true minds bring:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Impediments

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 and the ability to recall specific lines.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse "impediments" with other similar-sounding words or choose options based on general meaning without recalling the exact term.

Explanations: The line is from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, which discusses true love. The correct term is "impediments," meaning obstacles, fitting the context of the poem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Impediments" refers to obstacles, matching the original text.
Option B: Incorrect. "Inconveniences" is too vague and not the exact term used.
Option C: Incorrect. "Worries" does not fit the context of obstacles in marriage.
Option D: Incorrect. "Troubles" is too general and not the specific term from the sonnet.

Mnemonic: Impediments in marriage, as per Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.

410. Victorianism is best characterized by which of the following?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A sense of social responsibility, a basic attitude that obviously differentiates them from their immediate predecessors, the Romantics.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Victorianism is characterized by a focus on social responsibility and progress, distinguishing it from the Romantic emphasis on individualism and emotion.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is associating Victorianism solely with prudishness or repression, ignoring its progressive aspects.

Explanations: Victorianism emphasized social responsibility, addressing issues like poverty and industrialization. This contrasts with Romanticism's focus on emotion and individualism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Victorianism is not just prudish or repressed; it also involved social reform.
Option B: Victorians believed in self-improvement and societal progress, not stagnation.
Option C: Victorianism was not about agnosticism; it often upheld morality.
Option D: Correctly identifies Victorianism's focus on social responsibility.

Mnemonic: Victorians Value Virtue and Society

411. .....is credited to have finished Marlowe's Hero and Leander

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) George Chapman.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The completion of Marlowe's "Hero and Leander" is a specific historical fact in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing George Chapman with other contemporary poets like Shakespeare or Jonson.

Explanations: George Chapman is historically recognized for completing Marlowe's unfinished poem "Hero and Leander." This task required knowledge of Marlowe's style and Chapman's contributions to English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Michael Drayton did not work on "Hero and Leander."
Option B: Ben Jonson was a playwright, not associated with this poem.
Option C: Shakespeare did not contribute to this work.
Option D: George Chapman is correctly credited for completing the poem.

Mnemonic: Chapman Completes Marlowe's Tale.

412. The Bible which was supposed to be set as a model for the King James' Bible was

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The Bishop's Bible of 1568.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The King James Bible was primarily based on the Bishop's Bible of 1568, with additional references to other translations.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Bishop's Bible with the Geneva Bible or Tyndale's Bible, which were also influential but not the primary model.

Explanations: The Bishop's Bible of 1568 was the main source for the King James Bible. While other translations like the Geneva Bible and Tyndale's Bible were consulted, the Bishop's Bible provided the foundational text.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Geneva Bible was influential but not the primary model.
Option B: The Bishop's Bible was the main source.
Option C: The New English Bible is a modern translation unrelated to the King James Bible.
Option D: Tyndale's Bible was an earlier influence but not the primary model.

Mnemonic: "Bishop's Bible, the base, for King James, it was the case."

413. Which of the following features doesn't belong to the Victorian age?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Licentiousness.

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE History, Edexcel A-Level History, Cambridge International AS and A Level History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Victorian era was characterized by morality, peace, and political compromise, making licentiousness an outlier.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse the Victorian era's strict morality with licentiousness, thinking it was a time of unrestrained behavior.

Explanations: The Victorian age was marked by a strong emphasis on morality, relative peace, and political compromise. These features were central to the era's social and political landscape. Licentiousness, which refers to a disregard for moral restraints, does not align with the predominant values of the time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Licentiousness does not belong to the Victorian age, as the era was known for its strict moral codes.
Option B: Peace was a feature of the Victorian age, particularly during the Pax Britannica.
Option C: Morality was central to Victorian society, influencing literature and social reforms.
Option D: Compromise was a key aspect of Victorian politics, especially in reform legislation.

Mnemonic: P.M.C. - Peace, Morality, Compromise

414. A writer can establish ethos in a piece of writing by doing which of the following?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Demonstrating a mastery of the topic.

Exam Relevance: AP English Language and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Ethos is the aspect of rhetoric that establishes the writer's credibility. It is achieved by demonstrating expertise, knowledge, and trustworthiness on the topic.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing ethos with pathos (emotional appeal) or logos (logical appeal).

Explanations: Ethos is built by showing expertise in the subject. When a writer demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic, readers are more likely to trust the writer's perspective and arguments.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Informal language may make writing more approachable but does not inherently establish credibility.
Option B: Mastery of the topic directly contributes to the writer's credibility, which is the essence of ethos.
Option C: Emotional appeal relates to pathos, not ethos.
Option D: Logical reasoning relates to logos, not ethos.

Mnemonic: Ethos is Expertise.

415. Christopher Marlowe was England's first official Poet Laureate.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) False

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Poet Laureate is an official position in England, and the first person to hold this title was John Dryden.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Christopher Marlowe with John Dryden, as both are significant figures in English literature.

Explanations: Christopher Marlowe was a renowned playwright and poet, but he never held the official title of Poet Laureate. The first official Poet Laureate was John Dryden, appointed in 1668.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because Christopher Marlowe was not the first official Poet Laureate.
Option B: Correct because the first official Poet Laureate was John Dryden, not Marlowe.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

416. Auld Lang Syne is a famous poem by whom?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Robert Burns.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional Scottish poem popularized by Robert Burns, often associated with New Year's celebrations.

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse it with other poets like Henry Longfellow or Sir Walter Scott, who are unrelated to this poem.

Explanations: "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional Scottish poem that Robert Burns collected and popularized. It is widely recognized and sung, especially on New Year's Eve, making its authorship a key fact in Scottish literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sir Walter Scott was a novelist and poet, not associated with this poem.
Option B: William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, unrelated to "Auld Lang Syne."
Option C: Henry Longfellow was an American poet, not connected to this work.
Option D: Robert Burns is the correct author, known for his contributions to Scottish literature.

Mnemonic: Remember the phrase "Auld Lang Syne" alongside Robert Burns, perhaps visualizing a Scottish setting or the traditional tune.

417. Who said that the language of poetry should be " a selection of language really used by men" ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Wordsworth.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Wordsworth advocated for the use of common language in poetry, emphasizing its accessibility and authenticity.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Wordsworth with Coleridge, who focused more on imagination and fancy.

Explanations: Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads outlines his belief in using the language of common people, making poetry relatable and true to human experience.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Arnold focused on classical ideals and poetic diction, not common language.
Option B: Wordsworth emphasized the use of everyday language in poetry.
Option C: Coleridge focused on imagination and fancy, not common language.
Option D: Dryden was a Restoration poet known for his poetic diction, not common language.

Mnemonic: "Wordsworth's Words are for the World."

418. At what famous university is Faustus a scholar?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Wittenburg.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Faustus is a scholar at Wittenburg University in Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus."

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise from the similarity between Wittenburg and other historical universities.

Explanations: Faustus is a scholar at Wittenburg University in Christopher Marlowe's play "Doctor Faustus." The play focuses on his academic pursuits and subsequent pact with the devil.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Faustus is a scholar at Wittenburg University in the play.
Option B: Incorrect. The Sorbonne is a university in Paris, not associated with Faustus.
Option C: Incorrect. Heidelberg is a German university, but not the one Faustus attends.
Option D: Incorrect. Cambridge is an English university, but not mentioned in the play.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

419. According to Dr. Dino Felluga's "General Introduction to Postmodernism, " what is the meaning of the term "simulacra"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Something that replaces reality with its representation.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: "Simulacra" refers to representations that replace or substitute reality, often in postmodern contexts where media and culture create simulations that overshadow the real.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding "simulacra" as exact imitations or affirmations of reality rather than replacements.

Explanations: "Simulacra" are representations that take the place of reality, often in media or cultural contexts. They create a version of reality that can overshadow the original, reflecting postmodern ideas about simulation and representation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Simulacra" replace reality with representations, as explained in postmodern theory.
Option B: Incorrect. Refers to stable references, not replacements of reality.
Option C: Incorrect. Suggests exact imitations, not replacements.
Option D: Incorrect. Affirms reality rather than replacing it.

Mnemonic: Simulacra: Simulate, Substitute, Shadow Reality.

420. This feminist critic proposed that all female characters in literature are in at least one of the following stages of development: the feminine, feminist, or female stage.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Elaine Showalter.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, University English Literature Courses.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Elaine Showalter's theory of gynocritics categorizes female characters into three stages: feminine, feminist, and female.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Elaine Showalter with other feminist writers like Virginia Woolf or Mary Wollstonecraft.

Explanations: Elaine Showalter proposed the stages of female character development in literature as part of her feminist literary criticism. This theory is a key concept in understanding the representation of women in literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Virginia Woolf was a modernist writer and feminist but did not propose this specific theory.
Option B: Elaine Showalter developed the theory of gynocritics, which includes the stages of feminine, feminist, and female.
Option C: Mary Wollstonecraft was a philosopher and author of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," not known for this literary theory.
Option D: Ellen Mores is not a recognized figure in feminist literary theory.

Mnemonic: Showalter's Stages: Feminine, Feminist, Female.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 28”

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 28”

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