English Literature MCQ – Change your future

586. Denied the right to apply for divorce and facing intense humiliation, John Milton wrote what work?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Milton wrote "The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce" in response to his personal experiences with divorce and societal pressures.

Common Mistakes: Confusing it with Milton's other works like "Paradise Lost" or "Christian Doctrines."

Explanations: Milton's work addresses the legal and moral issues surrounding divorce, reflecting his personal struggles and advocating for reform.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Christian Doctrines" focuses on religious beliefs, not divorce.
Option B: "On Regicide" discusses political events, unrelated to divorce.
Option C: Correct, as it directly addresses divorce reform.
Option D: "Paradise Lost" is an epic poem, unrelated to divorce.

Mnemonic: Divorce Doctrine by Milton

587. Read the following sentence .Â A toad and a lizard learn to get along while on a journey through the wilderness.Â The sentence above is an example of a.....Â

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Summary/main idea

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A summary/main idea is a concise statement that captures the essence of a text.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between summary and plot or theme.

Explanations: The sentence succinctly states the main characters and the central event, making it a summary.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Plot refers to the sequence of events, not a summary.
Option B: Character refers to the individuals in the story, not the main idea.
Option C: Summary/main idea captures the essence of the text.
Option D: Theme refers to the underlying message, not the summary.

Mnemonic: Summarize the Main Idea

588. Looking to the ancient past, many Romantic poets identified with the figure of the

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Bard

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Romantic poets often identified with the figure of the bard, a wandering poet and musician who embodies creativity and emotional expression.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific cultural or historical context of each term.

Explanations: The Romantic movement celebrated the individual artist and the power of imagination. The bard, as a figure from folklore and history, represented these ideals. Romantic poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge drew inspiration from the bardic tradition, emphasizing the poet's role as a seer and a creator of beauty.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Troubadours were medieval Provençal poets, not directly associated with Romanticism.
Option B: Skalds were Norse poets, unrelated to the Romantic movement.
Option C: Choristers are singers in choirs, not linked to the Romantic ideal of the wandering poet.
Option D: Bards were wandering poets and musicians, embodying the Romantic ideals of creativity and emotional expression.

Mnemonic: Bards are the heart of Romanticism.

589. Romeo and Juliet is a .....written by William Shakespeare early in his career

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Tragedy.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Romeo and Juliet is classified as a tragedy due to its themes of doomed love, fatal errors, and a tragic conclusion.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing it with a romance or comedy, but the tragic elements are central.

Explanations: Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy because it follows the structure of a tragic play, including a tragic hero, a series of tragic errors, and a devastating conclusion. The play explores themes of fate, love, and family conflict, all of which contribute to the tragic outcome.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Romeo and Juliet is not a comedy; it does not have a happy ending or humorous elements typical of comedies.
Option B: Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy because it follows the structure of a tragic play, including a tragic hero, a series of tragic errors, and a devastating conclusion.
Option C: While it contains romantic elements, it is not classified as a romance because the tragic outcome defines its genre.
Option D: It is not a morality play, which typically teaches a moral lesson through allegorical characters.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

590. Among the many jobs Mark Twain had, he was a riverboat captain.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) True.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Mark Twain's career as a riverboat captain is a well-known fact in his biography.

Common Mistakes: Believing Mark Twain only worked as a writer without considering his earlier occupations.

Explanations: Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, worked as a riverboat captain on the Mississippi River in the 1850s. This experience significantly influenced his later works, such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," which is set on a riverboat. Therefore, the statement is true.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Mark Twain did work as a riverboat captain.
Option B: Incorrect, as it contradicts the factual information about Mark Twain's career.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

591. Sentimental comedy reacted against:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The emphasis upon tragedies.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Sentimental comedy reacted against the dominance of tragic themes in literature, focusing instead on emotional and humanistic narratives.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing sentimental comedy with other literary movements, such as neoclassical or Restoration comedies.

Explanations: Sentimental comedy emerged in the 18th century as a reaction against the prevalent emphasis on tragedy. It sought to evoke strong emotional responses by focusing on the common experiences and feelings of everyday people, offering a more optimistic and accessible alternative to the grand, tragic narratives of the past.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sentimental comedy did not specifically react against mistaken identities, which are more associated with traditional comedies.
Option B: The focus on ancient Rome was more relevant to neoclassical literature, not sentimental comedy.
Option C: Sentimental comedy was not primarily a reaction against didactic moralizing; it often included moral lessons but presented them emotionally.
Option D: Sentimental comedy directly reacted against the emphasis on tragedies, offering a more optimistic and emotionally engaging alternative.

Mnemonic: "Sentimental Comedy Shuns Tragedy, Embracing Emotion."

592. To refer to the unresolvable difficulties a text may open up, Derrida makes use of the term :

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Aporia.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Aporia refers to the state of being unable to resolve a contradiction or difficulty within a text, as per Derrida's theory.

Common Mistakes: Confusing aporia with other Derridean concepts like difference or supplement.

Explanations: Derrida employs "aporia" to signify the irresolvable contradictions that texts inherently contain, illustrating their instability and indeterminacy. This term is central to his deconstructionist approach, emphasizing the impossibility of fixed meanings.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Difference refers to the deferral and deferment of meaning, not the contradictions themselves.
Option B: Erasure pertains to the suppression of the other, not textual difficulties.
Option C: Aporia correctly identifies the unresolvable contradictions in texts.
Option D: Supplement relates to the relationship between presence and absence, not textual difficulties.

Mnemonic: Aporia: Puzzling Pathways in Texts

593. Geraldine is a character of the poem;

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Christabel.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of characters in Romantic poetry.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between characters from different poems by Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Explanations: Geraldine is a character in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Christabel." The poem explores themes of mystery and the supernatural, with Geraldine being a central figure. The other options are poems by different authors and do not feature Geraldine.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Lucy Grey is a poem by William Wordsworth and does not include Geraldine.
Option B: Christabel is the correct poem featuring Geraldine.
Option C: Frost at Midnight is another poem by Wordsworth, unrelated to Geraldine.
Option D: The Last of the Flock is a poem by Robert Burns and does not feature Geraldine.

Mnemonic: Geraldine in Christabel, not in Lucy's tale.

594. With which of the following genres is The Romance of the Rose most closely associated?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Dream vision.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Romance of the Rose is a medieval poem that employs a dream vision structure, a common literary device in medieval literature where the narrator recounts a dream that conveys allegorical or symbolic meaning.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the dream vision genre with other narrative forms like the medieval lay or mistaking the poem's themes for hagiography or mysticism.

Explanations: The Romance of the Rose is structured as a dream vision, where the narrator's dream serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of love and courtly behavior. This aligns with the dream vision genre, which uses dreams to present allegorical narratives.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A medieval lay is a narrative poem, not a dream vision. The Romance of the Rose is not a lay.
Option B: Hagiography focuses on the lives of saints, which is unrelated to the poem's themes of courtly love.
Option C: Mysticism involves spiritual experiences, which is not the primary focus of the poem.
Option D: The poem uses a dream vision structure, making this the correct genre.

Mnemonic: Dream Vision: Sleepy Symbolism

595. Tennyson talks about the equality of women in:

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

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "The Princess" by Tennyson discusses themes of gender equality and women's rights, reflecting the societal issues of the time.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "The Princess" with other works by Tennyson that do not address gender equality.

Explanations: "The Princess" is a narrative poem that explores the idea of women's education and their role in society, advocating for their equality. The other works listed do not focus on this theme.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as "The Princess" addresses gender equality.
Option B: Incorrect, "In Memoriam" is a elegy about grief and loss.
Option C: Incorrect, "Maud" deals with themes of love and madness.
Option D: Incorrect, "Lackslay Hall" is a narrative about a knight and does not address equality.

Mnemonic: "Princess for Equality" - Remember Tennyson's work on women's rights.

596. What is the first extended written specimen of Old English?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A code of laws promulgated by King Ethelbert.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature in English, Cambridge Pre-U Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of early Old English literature and the ability to identify the earliest extended written specimen.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Old English with Latin or Middle English texts.

Explanations: The code of laws by King Ethelbert is the earliest known extended Old English text, providing insight into early Anglo-Saxon society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Boethius's work is in Latin, not Old English.
Option B: Saint Jerome's translation is also in Latin.
Option C: Malory's work is Middle English, not Old English.
Option D: Ethelbert's laws are the earliest Old English text.

Mnemonic: Ethelbert's laws are the earliest, in Old English, not Latin or Middle.

597. Which of the following was NOT a key element or aspect of Romantic poetry?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The use of allegory.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Romantic poetry emphasizes imagination, nature, and symbolism, but not allegory.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the distinction between symbolism and allegory in Romantic works.

Explanations: Romantic poetry is defined by its focus on imagination, nature, and symbolism. These elements are central to the movement's themes and style. In contrast, allegory, which involves a narrative representing abstract ideas, is not a key feature of Romantic poetry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Celebration of imagination is a core aspect of Romantic poetry.
Option B: Engagement with nature is fundamental to Romantic works.
Option C: Use of symbolism is common in Romantic poetry to convey deeper meanings.
Option D: Use of allegory is not characteristic of Romantic poetry.

Mnemonic: "Romantics love Nature, Imagination, and Symbols—Allegories are not their style."

598. Who used the term 'The Metaphysical poet'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Samuel Johnson.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Samuel Johnson first used the term 'The Metaphysical poets' in his work "Lives of the Poets."

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse John Donne or Andrew Marvell as the originators of the term, but they were Metaphysical poets, not the ones who coined the term.

Explanations: Samuel Johnson introduced the term 'The Metaphysical poets' in his critical work, grouping poets known for their intellectual and unconventional style. This term has since become standard in literary criticism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Edmund is not associated with the term.
Option B: John Donne was a Metaphysical poet, not the one who named the group.
Option C: Samuel Johnson coined the term in his literary criticism.
Option D: Andrew Marvell was a Metaphysical poet, not the originator of the term.

Mnemonic: Johnson's Joke: He named the Metaphysical poets.

599. This mode of discourse attempts to convince someone

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Persuasion.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Persuasion is a mode of discourse aimed at convincing an audience through argumentation.

Common Mistakes: Confusing persuasion with other modes like promotion or promise.

Explanations: Persuasion involves convincing someone through logical arguments, evidence, and appeals to reason or emotion. It is a key concept in rhetoric and discourse analysis.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Persuasion is correct because it directly refers to convincing through argumentation.
Option B: Prejudice is incorrect as it refers to biased opinions, not convincing.
Option C: Promise is incorrect because it involves commitments, not persuasion.
Option D: Promotion is incorrect as it relates to marketing, not the act of convincing through discourse.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

600. What Renaissance text uses martyrology as a device to historicize the conflict between the true Church and the false Church in England?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Acts and Monuments

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The text uses martyrology to document the conflict between Protestant and Catholic Churches in England.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the purpose of Foxe's Book of Martyrs or confusing it with other Renaissance works.

Explanations: "Acts and Monuments" systematically records the sufferings of Protestant martyrs, presenting them as victims of Catholic persecution. This martyrology serves to historicize the struggle between the true Church (Protestant) and the false Church (Catholic), emphasizing the Protestant cause.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Euphues" is a romance novel, not focused on religious conflict or martyrology.
Option B: "Paradise Lost" is an epic poem about the fall of man, unrelated to the specific historical conflict in England.
Option C: "Paradise Regained" focuses on Christ's temptation, not historical Church conflict.
Option D: "Acts and Monuments" uses martyrology to document and historicize the Protestant-Catholic conflict in England.

Mnemonic: "Acts and Martyrs for Martyrology"

⬅ Previous SetSet 40Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 40”

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 40”

Leave a Reply