English Literature MCQ – Change your future

556. Theme can be explained as

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A specific message about life.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The theme is the central idea or message of a literary work, reflecting deeper insights into life or human experience.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding theme as the plot or subject rather than the underlying message.

Explanations: The theme is the author's commentary on life, conveyed through the narrative. It is not the story's events but the message or insight about existence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; it refers to the subject, not the theme.
Option B: Incorrect; figurative language is a literary device, not the theme.
Option C: Correct; theme is a specific message about life.
Option D: Incorrect; a lesson is narrower than the theme's broader message.

Mnemonic: Theme is the message, not the plot.

557. Which of the following statements best characterizes Romanticism's relationship to the Enlightenment?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Romanticism challenged the Enlightenment's emphasis on objectivity as the basis of truth.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Romanticism emphasized emotion, individualism, and the subjective experience, contrasting with the Enlightenment's focus on reason and objectivity.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the shift from rationality to emotion in Romanticism.

Explanations: Romanticism rejected the Enlightenment's reliance on objective analysis and universal truths, instead valuing intuition, imagination, and the beauty of nature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Romanticism did not continue the Enlightenment's focus on reason and universal order. It moved away from these ideas.
Option B: Romanticism challenged the Enlightenment's emphasis on objectivity, focusing instead on subjective experiences and emotions.
Option C: Romanticism did not abandon hope in progressive change; many Romantic writers were involved in social and political movements.
Option D: Romanticism highly valued the natural world, often idealizing it, rather than deeming it unimportant.

Mnemonic: Romantics Reject Reason, Embrace Emotion

558. What does Eve do when she first becomes conscious?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Look at her reflection in a stream

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the sequence of events in the creation story of Adam and Eve.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the order of events, such as thinking Eve immediately eats from the Tree of Knowledge or talks to animals before examining herself.

Explanations: In the Book of Genesis, Eve's first action upon becoming conscious is to look at her reflection in a stream. This demonstrates her self-awareness before interacting with Adam or the Tree of Knowledge.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Eve does not immediately search for her mate.
Option B: Incorrect; there is no mention of her talking to animals first.
Option C: Correct; Eve first looks at her reflection in a stream.
Option D: Incorrect; eating from the Tree of Knowledge happens later.

Mnemonic: Eve's First Gaze: Stream, Mate, Tree

559. Which type of novel involves dystopia, advance technology, time travel and extraterrestrial life?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Science fiction novel

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Science fiction novels often explore futuristic settings, advanced technology, and speculative ideas such as time travel and extraterrestrial life. They frequently depict dystopian societies as well.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the typical themes of each novel type could lead to incorrect answers. For example, confusing science fiction with Gothic or Picaresque genres.

Explanations: Science fiction novels are characterized by their exploration of advanced technology, futuristic settings, and speculative concepts. Themes like dystopia, time travel, and extraterrestrial life are common in this genre. Other genres do not typically focus on these elements.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gothic novels focus on horror, mystery, and the supernatural, not futuristic or speculative themes.
Option B: Picaresque novels are satirical narratives about a roguish protagonist's adventures, unrelated to the themes listed.
Option C: Autobiographical novels are based on the author's life experiences, not speculative or futuristic elements.
Option D: Science fiction novels often include dystopian settings, advanced technology, time travel, and extraterrestrial life.

Mnemonic: Sci-Fi: Space, Tech, Time, and Aliens

560. What is the masterpiece painted by Behrman?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The ivy leaf.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The story "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry involves Behrman, an artist, who paints a symbolic ivy leaf to inspire his friend Sue.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Behrman's role or confusing it with other artists in literature.

Explanations: Behrman's masterpiece is the ivy leaf he paints to symbolize hope and inspire Sue, who is battling illness. This act demonstrates his dedication and artistic skill.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Bay of Naples is unrelated to Behrman's story.
Option B: The ivy leaf is correct as it is Behrman's symbolic masterpiece.
Option C: A magazine story painting is not Behrman's work in the story.
Option D: A painting of a beautiful lady is not mentioned in the context of Behrman.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

561. The tone of Emersonâ€™s essay is best described as â€”

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Uplifting.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Emerson's essays are characterized by an optimistic and encouraging tone that emphasizes self-reliance and personal growth.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Emerson's themes as pessimistic or static could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Emerson's writing is optimistic and inspiring, focusing on themes like self-reliance and individual potential, which contribute to an uplifting tone.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Emerson's essays are dynamic, not unmoving.
Option B: The tone is optimistic, not despairing.
Option C: The essay's themes of self-reliance and growth create an uplifting tone.
Option D: The tone is positive, not gloomy.

Mnemonic: Emerson's Essays Elevate

562. Countess Olivia falls in love with.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Cesario.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," Countess Olivia falls in love with Cesario, who is actually Viola in disguise.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Count Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, with Cesario, whom Olivia actually falls in love with.

Explanations: Countess Olivia falls in love with Cesario because she believes him to be a young man, unaware that Cesario is Viola in disguise. This central plot point drives the romantic subplot of the play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Cesario is Viola in disguise, and Olivia falls in love with her.
Option B: Incorrect. Count Orsino is the Duke who is in love with Olivia, not the other way around.
Option C: Incorrect. Antonio is a friend of Sebastian and has no romantic involvement with Olivia.
Option D: Incorrect. Sir Toby is Olivia's uncle and a minor character, not someone she falls in love with.

Mnemonic: Cesario Captivates Olivia.

563. What did the Lady of Shalott find her boat

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Beneath a willow tree floating.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem describes the Lady of Shalott finding her boat beneath a willow tree, a crucial moment in her journey.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the location with other elements in the poem, such as the tower or Sir Lancelot's presence.

Explanations: In Tennyson's poem, the Lady of Shalott finds her boat beneath a willow tree, which is a significant detail as it marks the beginning of her escape from her imprisonment. The other options do not correspond to the events in the poem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Lady finds her boat beneath a willow tree, as described in the poem.
Option B: Incorrect. The boat house is not mentioned in the poem as the location where she finds her boat.
Option C: Incorrect. Sir Lancelot is not near the boat when she finds it.
Option D: Incorrect. Option A is correct, so this is not applicable.

Mnemonic: Willow, Water, and the Lady's Boat

564. Gerald Graff's "They Say, I Say" encourages students to become:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Involved in critical conversations about literary texts.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Gerald Graff's "They Say, I Say" emphasizes active participation in literary analysis.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the book's focus on passive reading or the importance of specific critics' viewpoints.

Explanations: The book encourages students to engage actively with literary texts by participating in critical discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the book promotes active, not passive, engagement.
Option B: Correct; it highlights involvement in critical conversations.
Option C: Incorrect; the book does not prioritize some critics over others.
Option D: Incorrect; the focus is on critical engagement, not specific texts.

Mnemonic: GEAD: Graff Encourages Active Discussions

565. Means divine justice?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Dike.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Greek deities and their associations with specific concepts in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Dike with Nemesis, as both relate to justice, but Nemesis focuses on retribution rather than fairness.

Explanations: Dike is the Greek goddess of justice, embodying fairness and the proper administration of law. She is often depicted with a balance scale, symbolizing her role in maintaining equilibrium and moral order. In literature, she represents the ideal of impartial justice, which is a recurring theme in works exploring ethics and morality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Themis is associated with law and order, not specifically divine justice. She is often seen as the mother of the Fates and the personification of divine law.
Option B: Dionysus is the god of wine, theater, and festivity, unrelated to justice.
Option C: Dike is the correct answer, as she is the personification of justice and fairness in Greek mythology.
Option D: Nemesis is associated with retribution and vengeance, not the impartial administration of justice.

Mnemonic: Dike Delivers Justice.

566. Who is the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby (1925)

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Nick.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The narrator of The Great Gatsby is Nick Carraway.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the narrator with the main character, Gatsby.

Explanations: The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway, who provides the first-person account of the story. This choice is correct because Nick is explicitly identified as the narrator in the novel.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gatsby is the main character, not the narrator.
Option B: Nick is the narrator, making this the correct answer.
Option C: Buchannan is another character in the novel, not the narrator.
Option D: This is incorrect because Nick is the narrator.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

567. The term 'anagnorisis' means.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Discovery

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Anagnorisis refers to a moment of recognition or discovery in a literary work, often leading to a significant plot development.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as a general surprise or unrelated literary device.

Explanations: Anagnorisis is a specific literary term describing a character's realization of a previously unknown truth, which is a pivotal moment in the narrative.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as anagnorisis involves discovery or recognition.
Option B: Incorrect, as punishment is not the focus of anagnorisis.
Option C: Incorrect, as judgement is a separate concept.
Option D: Incorrect, as surprise is too broad and not specific to recognition.

Mnemonic: Anagnorisis: Aha! Now I recognize!

568. King Lear was unhappy with Cordelia because.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) He did not like that she felt only a sense of duty towards him.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the understanding of King Lear's character and his expectations of love versus duty.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Cordelia's lack of affection is due to hatred or personal vendetta, rather than her commitment to duty.

Explanations: King Lear expected his daughters to express their love for him in extravagant terms. Cordelia, however, refused to do so, stating that her love was based on duty rather than excessive emotion. This response angered Lear, as he valued emotional expression over duty.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. There is no evidence that Cordelia hated Lear.
Option B: Correct. Cordelia's focus on duty rather than emotional expression upset Lear.
Option C: Incorrect. There is no indication that Cordelia planned to kill Lear.
Option D: Incorrect. Cordelia did not intend to leave Lear; she simply refused to flatter him.

Mnemonic: Duty vs. Flattery: Cordelia's "duty" made Lear upset, not her "flattery" or lack thereof.

569. Charles Dickens' Sketches by Boz appeared in.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Monthly Magazine

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Charles Dickens' early work "Sketches by Boz" was published in a specific periodical.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between different periodicals Dickens contributed to later in his career.

Explanations: "Sketches by Boz" was Dickens' first published work, appearing in "The Monthly Magazine" in 1836. This periodical was known for featuring literary essays and sketches, making it the correct platform for Dickens' early writings.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Morning Chronicle was a newspaper Dickens later contributed to, not the initial publication for "Sketches by Boz."
Option B: True Sun is not a known publication associated with Dickens.
Option C: The Monthly Magazine was the correct periodical where "Sketches by Boz" first appeared.
Option D: Fraser's Magazine was another periodical Dickens contributed to later, not the initial publication for "Sketches by Boz."

Mnemonic: "Boz's Sketches in The Monthly, Dickens' first literary success."

570. From 1st January 2007, how many digits contains in ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) 13.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The ISBN system transitioned from 10 digits to 13 digits starting on January 1, 2007.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the old 10-digit ISBN with the current 13-digit format.

Explanations: From January 1, 2007, the ISBN system was updated to use 13 digits to accommodate more books and integrate with the EAN retail system.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 9 digits is incorrect as it does not match the ISBN standard.
Option B: 10 digits was correct before 2007 but became outdated.
Option C: 13 digits is correct as it reflects the updated ISBN standard.
Option D: 15 digits is incorrect as it exceeds the ISBN standard length.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 38”

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 38”

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