English Literature MCQ – Change your future

706. How many books were originally planned to form the work The Faerie Queene?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) 12.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Edmund Spenser's epic poem "The Faerie Queene" was originally planned to consist of 12 books, each representing a different knightly virtue.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the number of completed books (6) with the original plan (12).

Explanations: Edmund Spenser intended "The Faerie Queene" to consist of 12 books, each focusing on a different knight and virtue. Only 6 were completed and published.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 18 is incorrect; Spenser planned 12 books, not 18.
Option B: 23 is incorrect; there is no historical basis for 23 books.
Option C: 12 is correct; Spenser intended 12 books, each representing a virtue.
Option D: 8 is incorrect; only 6 books were completed, not 8.

Mnemonic: "Spenser's plan was grand, 12 books in his hand."

707. The Faerie Queene was written during the reign of which monarch?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Elizabeth Tudor.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The Faerie Queene was written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the time periods of different Tudor monarchs.

Explanations: Edmund Spenser wrote The Faerie Queene during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was the monarch from 1558 to 1603. The poem reflects the cultural and political values of her era.

Option Analysis:

Option A: James I ruled after Elizabeth I, so he was not the monarch during the writing of The Faerie Queene.
Option B: Mary Tudor ruled before Elizabeth I, so she was not the monarch during the writing of The Faerie Queene.
Option C: Elizabeth Tudor, or Queen Elizabeth I, was the monarch during the writing of The Faerie Queene.
Option D: Henry VII ruled much earlier, before the Tudor dynasty's later monarchs, so he was not the monarch during the writing of The Faerie Queene.

Mnemonic: Elizabeth's Era, The Faerie Queene's Flair

708. " Intellectual Beauty" is written by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) P.B.Shelley.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of the author of the poem "Intellectual Beauty."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Percy Bysshe Shelley with other Romantic poets or philosophers.

Explanations: "Intellectual Beauty" is a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, a key figure in Romantic literature. The poem reflects Shelley's exploration of beauty and imagination.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Bertrand Russell was a philosopher, not the author of this poem.
Option B: Aldous Huxley was a novelist, unrelated to this poem.
Option C: P.B. Shelley wrote "Intellectual Beauty," making this the correct answer.
Option D: Incorrect, as Shelley is the author.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

709. When the novella opens, how long has it been since Santiago last caught a fish?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) 84 days.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall specific details from the opening of "The Old Man and the Sea."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the number of days with other numerical details in the text.

Explanations: In the opening of "The Old Man and the Sea," Santiago has not caught a fish for 84 days. This detail is explicitly stated and is crucial for understanding his determination and the central conflict of the story.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 40 days is incorrect because it does not match the timeframe given in the text.
Option B: 84 days is correct as it is explicitly mentioned in the novella.
Option C: 87 days is incorrect because it is not the number stated in the text.
Option D: 120 days is incorrect because it significantly exceeds the timeframe described.

Mnemonic: Remember "84 days of Santiago's wait" to recall this key detail.

710. How often were the lower classes the stars of a Restoration drama?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Rarely (less than five).

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, AQA A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Restoration drama primarily focused on the lives and concerns of the upper classes, with the lower classes rarely being central characters.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that Restoration plays were more egalitarian in their portrayal of social classes.

Explanations: Restoration drama, particularly comedies, centered on the upper classes, reflecting their interests and values. The lower classes, if present, were typically minor characters or comic relief, not stars of the plays.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as the majority of plays did not focus on the lower classes.
Option B: Correct, as the lower classes were rarely central characters.
Option C: Incorrect, as the lower classes did appear, albeit in minor roles.
Option D: Incorrect, as the lower classes were underrepresented compared to the upper classes.

Mnemonic: "Restoration plays often featured the elite, not the street."

711. Complete the following sentence. Neoclassicism most paralleled Enlightenment thought in its:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Emphasis on order, logic, and universal truths.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Neoclassicism in English literature is characterized by its adherence to the principles of order, logic, and universal truths, which align with the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and rationality.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Neoclassicism with Romanticism, which emphasizes emotion and nature over reason and order.

Explanations: Neoclassicism, like the Enlightenment, valued clarity, structure, and rationality. This is reflected in the works of neoclassical authors who focused on logical arguments and universal themes, mirroring the Enlightenment's pursuit of knowledge and reason.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Neoclassicism did not reject Renaissance optimism; instead, it sought to revive classical ideals, which were different from Renaissance humanism.
Option B: Incorrect. Neoclassicism embraced traditional models, particularly those from ancient Greece and Rome, rather than rejecting them.
Option C: Correct. Neoclassicism emphasized order, logic, and universal truths, aligning with Enlightenment thought.
Option D: Incorrect. While Neoclassicism critiqued societal structures, it did not specifically focus on the corrupt nature of the aristocracy as a central theme.

Mnemonic: "Neo-Logic: Order, Reason, and Truth"

712. Shelly was a firm believer in all of the following except:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Human conduct based on conviction.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Shelly's philosophy emphasizes reason, freedom, and individual responsibility, rejecting conduct based solely on conviction.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Shelly's rejection of conviction-based conduct as a rejection of societal responsibility.

Explanations: Shelly believed in personal freedom, individual responsibility, and the power of love. He opposed conduct based on blind conviction, advocating instead for reason and individual judgment.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Shelly supported personal freedom as a core belief.
Option B: He emphasized the individual's responsibility to society.
Option C: The power of love was a transformative force in his philosophy.
Option D: Shelly rejected human conduct based solely on conviction.

713. What is the original meaning of the word "Gothic"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Of or relating to the Germanic tribes that invaded and established kingdoms in Europe in the first millennium.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "Gothic" originates from the Germanic tribes, particularly the Goths, who played a significant role in the history of Europe during the first millennium.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the original meaning with later associations, such as architecture or medieval themes.

Explanations: The word "Gothic" is derived from the Goths, a Germanic people who migrated into Europe during the first millennium. This term was later applied to various cultural and architectural styles, but its original meaning is rooted in these historical tribes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. While Gothic architecture is associated with the medieval period, the term's origin is earlier and not exclusively tied to the medieval era.
Option B: Incorrect. The association with rudeness or lack of culture is a later, pejorative connotation and not the original meaning.
Option C: Correct. The term "Gothic" originally refers to the Germanic tribes, such as the Goths, who migrated into Europe during the first millennium.
Option D: Incorrect. While Gothic architecture is a valid application of the term, it does not represent the original meaning.

Mnemonic: Gothic: Germanic Origins, Then Architecture and Medieval.

714. What does the term "passing" mean?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The ability of an African American to live as a White person.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "passing" refers to the ability of a person of African descent to be accepted as White, often due to physical appearance.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as related to academic success or community approval.

Explanations: In English literature, "passing" specifically refers to the act of an African American individual being accepted as White, often due to lighter skin or other features. This concept is explored in works like Nella Larsen's "Passing," where the protagonist passes as White to access social and economic advantages. The term is rooted in the historical context of racial segregation and the social implications of race in America.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Passing" refers to the ability of an African American to live as a White person.
Option B: Incorrect. "Passing" does not refer to academic success.
Option C: Incorrect. "Passing" is not about leaving one's past behind.
Option D: Incorrect. "Passing" is not about gaining community approval.

Mnemonic: "Passing is Passing as White."

715. Detractors argue that such an approach can be too "judgmental." Some believe literature should be judged primarily (if not solely) on its artistic merits. What approach possess this disadvantage?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Moral/Philosophical.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of literary approaches and their potential biases.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the focus of each literary approach could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: The Moral/Philosophical approach evaluates literature based on its moral or philosophical content, which can be seen as judgmental. Other approaches focus on different aspects without emphasizing moral judgment.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Psychological focuses on characters' mental states, not moral judgment.
Option B: Formalism/New Criticism emphasizes structural and linguistic elements.
Option C: Moral/Philosophical evaluates works based on ethical or ideological content.
Option D: Historical/Biographical considers context and author's life, not moral evaluation.

Mnemonic: Moral Critics Judge

716. With which of these writers is the "spontaneous overflow of emotion" associated?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) William Wordsworth.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the association of the phrase "spontaneous overflow of emotion" with William Wordsworth, a key figure in Romantic poetry.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing this phrase with other Romantic poets or authors from different literary movements.

Explanations: William Wordsworth, in his Preface to Lyrical Ballads, defines poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." This phrase encapsulates his belief in the authenticity of emotion and the natural expression of feelings in poetry, distinguishing his work from the neoclassical emphasis on reason and form.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ann Radcliffe is associated with gothic fiction, not Romantic poetry or the concept of emotional spontaneity.
Option B: William Wordsworth is correct because he explicitly defined poetry using this phrase in his Preface to Lyrical Ballads.
Option C: John Keats is known for his sensuous imagery and the concept of "negative capability," not this specific phrase.
Option D: Alfred Lord Tennyson is a Victorian poet known for his dramatic monologues and classical themes, not this Romantic concept.

Mnemonic: "Wordsworth's Emotion Overflows Spontaneously"

717. Why does Turton throw the Bridge Party?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) To please Adela.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of character motivations and social dynamics in the novel.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming the party is a routine event or related to pleasing higher authorities rather than personal motives.

Explanations: Turton organizes the Bridge Party to court Adela and make a favorable impression on her. This is a strategic move to secure her affections and possibly a marriage alliance.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Turton's primary motive is to please Adela.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no evidence that pleasing NawabBahadur is the reason.
Option C: Incorrect. The party is not a yearly tradition.
Option D: Incorrect. No superior orders the party.

Mnemonic: Turton's Party Pleases Adela.

718. David Walker's "Appeal in Four Articles" argues that:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Blacks have the duty to resist slavery.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: David Walker's "Appeal in Four Articles" advocates for the resistance of slavery by enslaved individuals, emphasizing their moral and divine duty to seek freedom.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Walker's arguments with other abolitionist ideas, such as advocating for the return to Africa or interracial marriage.

Explanations: Walker's work is a key abolitionist text that calls for active resistance against slavery. He argues that blacks have a divine duty to fight for their freedom and equality, making option C the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Walker does not address interracial marriage in his "Appeal." His focus is on resistance to slavery.
Option B: Walker criticizes the Christian church for its complicity in slavery, so he does not absolve Christians of blame.
Option C: Correct. Walker advocates for blacks to resist slavery as a moral and divine duty.
Option D: Walker does not advocate for the return to Africa; he emphasizes freedom and equality in America.

Mnemonic: Walker's Appeal: Resist Slavery, Not Interracial Marriage or Return to Africa.

719. Which of the following Romantic poets would have been most likely to write a poem celebrating the innocence of childhood?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) William Blake

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: William Blake is known for his celebration of childhood innocence in his poetry.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Blake's focus on innocence with Wordsworth's focus on nature and emotion.

Explanations: William Blake's poetry often centers on themes of childhood innocence, as seen in works like "Songs of Innocence." This makes him the most likely to write a poem celebrating the innocence of childhood. Other poets like Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and William Wordsworth have different thematic focuses.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Lord Byron is known for themes of rebellion and individualism, not childhood innocence.
Option B: Samuel Taylor Coleridge is known for philosophical and supernatural themes, not specifically childhood innocence.
Option C: William Blake is known for celebrating childhood innocence in his poetry.
Option D: William Wordsworth is known for nature and emotion, but not specifically childhood innocence.

Mnemonic: Blake's Innocence, Others' Themes

720. The play, "Richard III, " takes place in what country?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) England.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "Richard III" is a historical play by William Shakespeare set in England.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other Shakespearean plays set in different countries.

Explanations: "Richard III" is set in England, focusing on the reign of King Richard III and the Wars of the Roses.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Greece is incorrect as the play is not set there.
Option B: France is incorrect; while France is mentioned, the setting is England.
Option C: Norway is incorrect; it is unrelated to the play's setting.
Option D: England is correct as it is the primary setting.

Mnemonic: "Richard III" - "III" for England's history.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 48”

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 48”

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