English Literature MCQ – Change your future

601. ..... offers a detailed documentary of day-to-day life in Anna of the Five Towns.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Arnold Bennett

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of English authors and their works, specifically focusing on regional and social documentation.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Arnold Bennett with other authors known for social commentary, such as H.G. Wells or George Orwell.

Explanations: Arnold Bennett's "Anna of the Five Towns" is a detailed exploration of daily life in the industrial towns of England, providing a vivid social and economic portrait of the time. This work is characteristic of Bennett's focus on regional settings and everyday experiences.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Arnold Bennett's work focuses on the Five Towns and their daily life.
Option B: Incorrect. H.G. Wells is known for science fiction and broader social themes, not regional documentation.
Option C: Incorrect. Joseph Conrad's works focus on psychological depth and colonial themes, not regional English settings.
Option D: Incorrect. Henry James is known for psychological narratives and international themes, not regional English life.

Mnemonic: "Anna's Towns by Bennett, not Wells or Conrad."

602. There are only two acts in 'The Post Office', which follows structure.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Hour-glass.

Exam Relevance: Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: 'The Post Office' by T.S. Eliot follows an hour-glass structure with two acts that mirror each other.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the play's structure as purely tragic or comedic rather than a blend.

Explanations: The play's structure is hour-glass, with two acts mirroring each other, creating symmetry and balance.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the play's structure mirrors an hour-glass.
Option B: Incorrect, the play is not strictly tragic.
Option C: Incorrect, it is not a comedy.
Option D: Incorrect, the hour-glass structure is accurate.

Mnemonic: Hour-glass shape, two acts mirroring, Eliot's play, structure aligning.

603. Domestic tragedy includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A villain.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Domestic tragedy focuses on the private lives of ordinary individuals, often involving family conflicts and personal failures without the presence of a villain.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding domestic tragedy as requiring a villain, similar to other tragic genres.

Explanations: Domestic tragedy typically involves the death of a character, the downfall of a household, and the interactions between a husband and wife. It does not necessarily include a villain, as the tragic events often stem from internal flaws or external circumstances.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The death of a character is a common element in domestic tragedy.
Option B: The downfall of a household is central to domestic tragedy.
Option C: The interactions between a husband and wife are often explored in domestic tragedy.
Option D: Domestic tragedy does not necessarily include a villain.

Mnemonic: Domestic Tragedy: No Villains, Just Family Struggles.

604. What is the function of the Linati schema?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) It outlines the fundamental structure of Ulysses.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Linati schema is a structural framework used by James Joyce to organize *Ulysses*, aligning its episodes with Homer's *Odyssey*.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the schema's application to other Joyce works like *The Dubliners* or *Finnegans Wake*.

Explanations: The Linati schema provides a structural framework for *Ulysses*, mapping each episode to correspond with the stages of Homer's *Odyssey*. This structure helps in understanding the novel's thematic and narrative depth.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the schema does not address child to adult transition in *The Dubliners*.
Option B: Incorrect; the schema does not outline the order of stories in *The Dubliners*.
Option C: Correct; the schema outlines the structure of *Ulysses*.
Option D: Incorrect; the schema does not relate to time movement in *Finnegans Wake*.

Mnemonic: Lining Up *Ulysses*

605. American female novelist pearl S. Buck got Nobel prize in 1938 for the book

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The Good Earth.

Exam Relevance: SAT Subject Test in Literature, GRE Subject Test in Literature in English

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Nobel Prize-winning literature and the works of Pearl S. Buck.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Pearl S. Buck's works with other authors or not remembering the specific novel awarded the Nobel Prize.

Explanations: Pearl S. Buck's novel "The Good Earth" was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. It is a significant work that explores themes of family, tradition, and social change in early 20th-century China.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The Good Earth" is Pearl S. Buck's Nobel Prize-winning novel.
Option B: Incorrect. "House Divided" is not a work by Pearl S. Buck.
Option C: Incorrect. "The Patriot" is not associated with Pearl S. Buck.
Option D: Incorrect. "De Cameron" is not a work by Pearl S. Buck.

Mnemonic: Think of "The Good Earth" as Pearl S. Buck's "good" contribution to literature.

606. 'The Diary of Anne Frank' was originally written in which language

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Dutch.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Anne Frank was a Dutch Jewish girl who wrote her diary in Dutch during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse the language with German due to the historical context of the Holocaust.

Explanations: Anne Frank wrote her diary in Dutch, her native language, while hiding in Amsterdam during World War II.

Option Analysis:

Option A: German is incorrect because Anne Frank was Dutch and wrote in her native language.
Option B: Dutch is correct as it was her first language and the language of her diary.
Option C: Russian is incorrect because it is unrelated to Anne Frank's background or the diary's origin.
Option D: English is incorrect because the diary was not originally written in English.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

607. Who is the author of the poem 'The Parliament of Fowls'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Geoffrey Chaucer.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The poem 'The Parliament of Fowls' is a well-known work by Geoffrey Chaucer, a key figure in English literature.

Common Mistakes: Milton, Dickens, and Shelley are often confused with Chaucer due to their prominence in different literary periods.

Explanations: Geoffrey Chaucer authored 'The Parliament of Fowls,' a poem known for its allegorical themes and medieval context.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Geoffrey Chaucer is the author of the poem.
Option B: Incorrect, John Milton wrote 'Paradise Lost,' not this poem.
Option C: Incorrect, Charles Dickens was a novelist, not the author of this poem.
Option D: Incorrect, Percy Bysshe Shelley was a Romantic poet, unrelated to this work.

Mnemonic: Chaucer's name can be linked to 'chaos,' reflecting the complex themes in his works.

608. A woman as "the angel of the house" is best described by which of the following?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A pure woman who was the moral and spiritual center of the house, who never went out in the urban setting or mixed in the public, whose mission was to fight against the immoral influence the femme fatale and market capitalism.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept of "the angel of the house" in Victorian literature represents the idealized role of women as moral and spiritual leaders within the domestic sphere, contrasting with the perceived corruption of urban life and market capitalism.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the angel of the house with other female archetypes, such as the femme fatale, or misinterpreting her role as purely symbolic rather than a social ideal.

Explanations: The angel of the house is depicted as a pure, moral woman whose duty is to maintain the spiritual and moral integrity of the home, countering the negative influences of urbanization and capitalism. This role is central to Victorian ideals of womanhood and domesticity.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. A midwife or nurse is a professional role, not the idealized domestic role of the angel of the house.
Option B: Incorrect. The angel is not a femme fatale; the femme fatale is seen as dangerous, while the angel is a positive, moral figure.
Option C: Incorrect. While the angel is associated with purity, the specifics of wearing white and never leaving the house are not central to the concept.
Option D: Correct. Accurately describes the angel's role as a moral center fighting against urban and capitalist immoral influences.

Mnemonic: Angel vs. Femme Fatale: Opposite Roles

609. Love of political freedom, always the noblest of Byron's passions, inspired him to write:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The prisoner of Chillon.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" by Lord Byron is inspired by his passion for political freedom.

Common Mistakes: Some might confuse it with other Byron works like "Manfred" or "The Island," which have different themes.

Explanations: "The Prisoner of Chillon" reflects Byron's support for freedom through the story of François de Bonnivard, a political prisoner. The poem highlights themes of liberty and resistance against oppression.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Manfred" focuses on guilt and isolation, not political freedom.
Option B: "The Island" deals with love and betrayal, not freedom.
Option C: Correct, as it addresses political freedom.
Option D: "The Prophecy of Dante" is about Dante's vision of the afterlife.

Mnemonic: Chillon's prisoner fought for freedom, just like Byron.

610. In Friedrich von Schiller's "The Death of Wallenstein, " Wallenstein is certain that his project is the fulfillment of:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Destiny.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The play explores themes of fate and free will, with Wallenstein believing his actions are predestined.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the play's focus on fate over other themes like strategy or chance.

Explanations: Wallenstein's belief in destiny is central to his character and drives the tragic narrative of the play. His actions are motivated by the conviction that his project is fulfilling a preordained path, which aligns with the theme of destiny.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Wallenstein does not view his project as a result of chance; he believes it is predestined.
Option B: Wallenstein's project is seen as the fulfillment of destiny, a central theme in the play.
Option C: While strategy is involved, it is not the primary focus; the emphasis is on destiny.
Option D: Wisdom is not the guiding force behind Wallenstein's actions; it is destiny.

Mnemonic: "Wallenstein's Will: Destiny's Path"

611. Macbeth hires assassins to murder Banquo's son, name.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Fleance

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of characters and plot in Shakespeare's *Macbeth*.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Banquo's son and other nobles in the play.

Explanations: In *Macbeth*, Fleance is Banquo's son. Macbeth orders his assassination to prevent Fleance from fulfilling the prophecy of becoming king. Fleance escapes, which is a significant plot point.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Angus is a nobleman, not Banquo's son.
Option B: Ross is another nobleman, unrelated to Banquo.
Option C: Fleance is Banquo's son, targeted by Macbeth.
Option D: Lennox is a lord, not related to Banquo.

612. According to John Milton, political offices were to be filled by .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Popular election

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Milton supported the idea that political offices should be filled by popular election, reflecting his republican and democratic principles.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Milton's views with those who advocate for divine right or aristocratic rule.

Explanations: Milton's political philosophy, as expressed in works like "The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates," emphasizes the sovereignty of the people and the rejection of hereditary monarchy. He believed that government should be based on the consent of the governed, which aligns with the concept of popular election.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Milton opposed the divine right of kings, so the king should not fill political offices.
Option B: The House of Lords represented aristocratic power, which Milton criticized.
Option C: Milton advocated for popular election as a means of achieving a just and representative government.
Option D: Milton rejected the idea that God appoints political leaders, emphasizing human agency instead.

Mnemonic: Milton's Mind: Men Elect, Not Monarchs or Miracles

613. In "Hamlet, " who says that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Marcellus.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The quote reflects the theme of corruption in Denmark, spoken by Marcellus.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with Hamlet's soliloquy or Claudius's actions.

Explanations: Marcellus speaks the line in Act I, Scene IV, indicating the kingdom's moral decay.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Claudius is the corrupt king, not the one who notices it.
Option B: Horatio is Hamlet's friend but does not say this line.
Option C: Hamlet focuses on personal revenge, not this observation.
Option D: Marcellus voices the corruption in the state.

Mnemonic: Marcellus Notices Rottenness

614. Which of the following is Jane Eyre's pupil at Thornfield Hall?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Adele.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Jane Eyre works as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where her pupil is Adele Varens.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Adele with other characters like Bessie or Leah, who are servants, not pupils.

Explanations: In Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre," Jane takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Her primary responsibility is to teach Adele Varens, the ward of Mr. Rochester. Adele is a central character in the early part of the novel, and her presence is significant as Jane develops her relationship with Mr. Rochester.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sarah is not a character in "Jane Eyre." This is a distractor.
Option B: Bessie is a servant at Thornfield Hall, not Jane's pupil.
Option C: Adele is the correct pupil of Jane Eyre at Thornfield Hall.
Option D: Leah is another servant at Thornfield Hall, not a pupil.

Mnemonic: Adele is the apple of Jane's eye at Thornfield.

615. When was John Milton born?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 9 December 1608.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recall of the birthdate of John Milton, a significant figure in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Milton's birthdate with other historical figures or dates.

Explanations: John Milton was born on 9 December 1608. This is a well-established fact in literary history.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 22 April 1600 is incorrect; this date is associated with another individual.
Option B: 19 August 1604 is incorrect; it does not correspond to Milton's birthdate.
Option C: 6 June 1606 is incorrect; it is not Milton's birthdate.
Option D: 9 December 1608 is correct; it is the documented birthdate of John Milton.

Mnemonic: Remember Milton's birthdate with the phrase: "Milton's birth in '08, on the 9th of December, he came."

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 41”

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 41”

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