English Literature MCQ – Change your future

421. Which is NOT an example of a traditional text?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) A biography.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature exam

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Traditional texts include fables, legends, and myths, which are stories passed down through generations. A biography is a factual account of a person's life and is not considered a traditional text.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be confusing a biography with a traditional text, as both are forms of storytelling. However, biographies are based on real events and people, whereas traditional texts are often fictional or mythological.

Explanations: Traditional texts are stories that have been passed down through generations, often serving to convey cultural values or explain natural phenomena. Fables, legends, and myths are examples of such texts. A biography, however, is a factual account of a person's life and does not fit into the category of traditional texts.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A fable is a traditional text, often teaching a moral lesson. Example: "The Tortoise and the Hare."
Option B: A biography is not a traditional text; it is a factual account of a real person's life. Example: "The Life of Nelson Mandela."
Option C: A legend is a traditional text, often involving heroic deeds. Example: "King Arthur and the Round Table."
Option D: A myth is a traditional text, often explaining natural phenomena or cultural beliefs. Example: "The Greek Myth of Prometheus."

Mnemonic: Fables, Legends, Myths are traditional; Biographies are not, they're factual.

422. The poem 'Grandfather' is written by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Dom Moraes.

Exam Relevance: CBSE, ICSE

Difficulty: Very Easy

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

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the author with other poets of the same era.

Explanations: Dom Moraes is the author of the poem 'Grandfather'. This is a direct fact from the study of English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Dom Moraes wrote the poem 'Grandfather'.
Option B: Incorrect. Vikram Seth is known for works like 'The Golden Gate', not 'Grandfather'.
Option C: Incorrect. Ramanujan is known for his contributions to mathematics, not poetry.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct author is listed in Option A.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

423. Katherine Mansfield was born in.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) New Zealand.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the birthplace of a notable English literature author.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Katherine Mansfield with other authors from different countries.

Explanations: Katherine Mansfield was born in New Zealand, which is where she spent her early years before moving to England. This fact is well-documented in literary biographies and historical records.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Katherine Mansfield was born in New Zealand.
Option B: Incorrect. She was not born in Australia.
Option C: Incorrect. She was not born in the U.K.
Option D: Incorrect. She was not born in Canada.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

424. What do you mean by Parody?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Imitation of a poem or a writing.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Parody is a literary technique where a writer imitates the style or content of another work, often for humorous or satirical purposes.

Common Mistakes: Confusing parody with other forms of imitation, such as mimicry or pastiche, which do not necessarily involve humor or satire.

Explanations: Parody involves imitating a poem or writing to create a humorous or satirical effect. It is not merely about following rules or imitating great men, nor is it limited to short prose.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Parody is not specifically about imitating great men.
Option B: Following rules is not the essence of parody.
Option C: Parody is not limited to short prose.
Option D: Correctly identifies parody as the imitation of a poem or writing.

Mnemonic: Parody: Poke fun at Poetry.

425. 'Brick Lane' is written by -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Monica Ali

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

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

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Monica Ali with other female authors like Virginia Woolf or George Eliot.

Explanations: 'Brick Lane' is a novel by Monica Ali, focusing on the experiences of a Bangladeshi woman in London. The other authors listed are known for different works and time periods.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Virginia Woolf is a modernist author known for works like 'Mrs. Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse'. She is not associated with 'Brick Lane'.
Option B: George Eliot was a Victorian novelist known for works like 'Middlemarch' and 'The Mill on the Floss'. She is not the author of 'Brick Lane'.
Option C: Charles Dickens was a 19th-century novelist known for works like 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'. He is not associated with 'Brick Lane'.
Option D: Monica Ali is the correct author of 'Brick Lane', a contemporary novel.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

426. In which work of Virginia Woolf do we find the Romney family?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) To the Lighthouse

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Romney family is a central family in Virginia Woolf's novel "To the Lighthouse," known for their complex relationships and internal struggles.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "To the Lighthouse" with "The Years," which features the Pargiter family instead of the Romney family.

Explanations: "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf centers on the Romney family, exploring their dynamics and personal growth. The novel is structured around their visits to the Isle of Skye and their interactions with each other and other characters.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Years" focuses on the Pargiter family, not the Romney family.
Option B: "Flush" is a novel about a dog's life and does not involve the Romney family.
Option C: "Jacob's Room" is a novel about Jacob Flanders and his experiences, unrelated to the Romney family.
Option D: "To the Lighthouse" features the Romney family as central characters.

Mnemonic: Romney in Lighthouse, not Years or Flush.

427. "Allâ€™s Well that Ends Well" is considered to be what kind of a play?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Comedy.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The play "All's Well that Ends Well" is classified as a comedy due to its themes of love, marriage, and a happy resolution.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing it with a tragedy because of its complex plot, but the happy ending confirms it as a comedy.

Explanations: "All's Well that Ends Well" is a comedy because it focuses on romantic relationships and concludes with a successful marriage, typical of Shakespearean comedies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The play is not a historical account.
Option B: It fits the comedy genre with its romantic and happy ending themes.
Option C: There are no tragic elements like death or suffering.
Option D: It is a play, not an epic poem.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

428. The Charge of the Light Bridge is a poem by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Tennyson.

Exam Relevance: GCSE, A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The poem "The Charge of the Light Bridge" is attributed to Tennyson.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other poets like Rossetti or Arnold.

Explanations: "The Charge of the Light Bridge" is a poem by Tennyson, known for his works in Victorian literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: D.G. Rossetti did not write this poem.
Option B: Leigh Hunt is not the author.
Option C: Tennyson is the correct author.
Option D: Arnold did not write this poem.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

429. Which of the following characters from "The Canterbury Tales" might represent the rising middle-class of the 14th century?

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

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The merchant in "The Canterbury Tales" symbolizes the emerging middle-class during the 14th century, reflecting the growing influence of commerce and trade.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the merchant with other characters like the knight or the prioress, who represent different social classes.

Explanations: The merchant's success in trade and business reflects the rise of the middle-class, making him the most fitting representation among the options provided.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The merchant represents the middle-class through his business success.
Option B: The knight is a noble, not part of the middle-class.
Option C: The prioress is a religious figure, unrelated to the middle-class.
Option D: The plowman is a laborer, part of the lower class.

Mnemonic: Merchant Means Middle-Class

430. According to Ellen Moers, how does Radcliffe's heroine differ from the typical Gothic woman?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Emily is a sensible rather than defenseless woman.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ellen Moers highlights that Radcliffe's heroines, unlike typical Gothic women, are sensible and self-possessed.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the typical Gothic heroine's portrayal as defenseless and vulnerable.

Explanations: Radcliffe's heroines, such as Emily, maintain decorum and rationality, distinguishing them from the typical Gothic woman who is often portrayed as defenseless.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Emily's happy marriage is not the key distinction from the typical Gothic woman.
Option B: Emily's decorum does not falter; she remains composed throughout.
Option C: Correct. Emily is sensible and self-possessed, unlike the typical defenseless Gothic heroine.
Option D: Emily is not weak; she is portrayed as strong and rational.

Mnemonic: Radcliffe's Heroines: Sensible, Not Defenseless

431. According to Dr. Dino Felluga's "General Introduction to Postmodernism, " Roland Barthes, in his work "The Death of the Author, " argues which of the following points?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The modern writer (scriptor) is born simultaneously with his text.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Barthes argues that the traditional author is replaced by the "scriptor," who exists only through the act of writing.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Barthes' rejection of authorial intent as a call for simpler text analysis.

Explanations: Barthes' "The Death of the Author" introduces the concept of the "scriptor," who is born simultaneously with their text, emphasizing the text's independence from the author's biography or intentions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Barthes states the writer (scriptor) is born with the text.
Option B: Incorrect. Barthes complicates, not simplifies, text analysis.
Option C: Incorrect. Barthes rejects monolithic cultural production.
Option D: Incorrect. Combines correct A with incorrect B.

Mnemonic: "Scriptor Simultaneously" - remember the writer and text are born together.

432. Which of the following attributes was NOT a feature of the governess novel ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Aspects of the supernatural, particularly of ghosts or ghostly presences.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The governess novel focuses on the challenges faced by a governess heroine, including difficult relationships and painful situations, but does not typically include supernatural elements.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the genre by conflating it with Gothic fiction, which often includes supernatural elements.

Explanations: The governess novel is characterized by its focus on the social and psychological challenges faced by a governess heroine. These challenges often involve difficult relationships with employers or pupils and encounters with painful situations related to her position. However, supernatural elements, such as ghosts or ghostly presences, are not a defining feature of this genre. Instead, these elements are more commonly associated with Gothic fiction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The governess heroine is a central character in the genre, making this a defining feature.
Option B: Encounters with painful situations related to her position are common in the governess novel.
Option C: Troubles in relation to her employers or pupils are typical themes in this genre.
Option D: Supernatural elements are not a feature of the governess novel, distinguishing it from Gothic fiction.

Mnemonic: "Governess Novels: No Ghosts, Just Grief"

433. Who is the writer of 'Oenone'?

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

Exam Relevance: This concept is tested in exams like the GCSE English Literature and A-Level Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of the author of the poem 'Oenone'.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Alfred Lord Tennyson with other Victorian poets like Robert Browning.

Explanations: 'Oenone' is a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, based on the Greek myth of Oenone and Paris. It reflects Tennyson's interest in classical themes and his narrative style.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Cynewulf is an Old English poet, not associated with 'Oenone'.
Option B: Robert Browning wrote dramatic monologues, not 'Oenone'.
Option C: Geoffrey Chaucer wrote 'The Canterbury Tales', unrelated to 'Oenone'.
Option D: Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote 'Oenone', making this the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Remember 'Oenone' with 'Tennyson' as 'O' and 'T' forming 'OT', linking the poem to its author.

434. A poem with no meter or rhyme

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Free verse.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Free verse is a poetic form characterized by the absence of regular meter or rhyme.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the definitions of poetic forms like lyric or narrative could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Free verse does not follow a set rhythm or rhyme scheme, allowing for greater creative freedom. This distinguishes it from other poetic forms that rely on structure.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Lyric poetry often uses rhyme and meter, unlike free verse.
Option B: Free verse is defined by its lack of meter and rhyme.
Option C: Narrative poetry tells a story and may use rhyme or meter.
Option D: Free verse is a recognized form, so "None of the above" is incorrect.

Mnemonic: "Free verse is free from rules, just like a bird in the sky."

435. Who is praised as a hero by Carlyle in his lecture on the 'Hero as King'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Cromwell.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the identification of historical figures praised by Carlyle in his lectures on heroism.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Cromwell with other historical figures mentioned in Carlyle's works.

Explanations: Carlyle's lecture 'The Hero as King' specifically praises Oliver Cromwell for his leadership and impact on English history. Cromwell's role as a key figure during the English Civil War and his establishment of the Commonwealth align with Carlyle's view of heroes as influential leaders.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Samuel Johnson was a writer and lexicographer, not a king or military leader, so he is not the hero Carlyle refers to.
Option B: Oliver Cromwell is correctly identified as the hero in Carlyle's lecture due to his significant role in English history.
Option C: William Shakespeare was a playwright, not a political or military leader, so he is not the subject of Carlyle's praise.
Option D: Martin Luther was a religious reformer, not a king or military leader, so he is not the hero Carlyle refers to.

Mnemonic: Cromwell, the King's Hero, in Carlyle's Lecture.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 29”

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 29”

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