English Literature MCQ – Change your future

721. Who is called the 'poet of love'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) John Donne

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Donne is recognized as the 'poet of love' due to his exploration of themes related to love and relationships in his poetry.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Donne with other poets like Shakespeare or Keats, who also wrote about love but are not specifically labeled as the 'poet of love.'

Explanations: John Donne's poetry often delves into the complexities of love, using metaphysical conceits and emotional depth. His works like "The Sun Rising" and "The Flea" exemplify his focus on love, earning him the title of the 'poet of love.'

Option Analysis:

Option A: Andrew Marvell is known for political and metaphysical poetry, not specifically for love.
Option B: John Donne is the correct answer as he is known as the 'poet of love.'
Option C: John Keats is known for romantic and sensuous poetry but not specifically as the 'poet of love.'
Option D: William Shakespeare wrote about love but is not exclusively known as the 'poet of love.'

Mnemonic: Donne's Desire, Love's Poet, Donne's the One.

722. A universal theme is

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A message about life that can be understood in many cultures.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A universal theme is an idea or concept that is relevant across different cultures, time periods, and situations. It is a message about life that can be understood and appreciated by people from various backgrounds.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between a universal theme and other literary concepts like messages from nature, traditional stories, or literary devices like exaggeration.

Explanations: A universal theme is a message about life that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. It is a concept that can be understood and appreciated by people from various backgrounds. For example, themes like love, loss, friendship, and identity are considered universal because they resonate with people universally.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. A universal theme is a message about life that can be understood in many cultures.
Option B: Incorrect. A message from nature is not necessarily a universal theme.
Option C: Incorrect. A story told by many generations refers to traditional stories, not necessarily universal themes.
Option D: Incorrect. An exaggeration is a literary device, not a theme.

Mnemonic: Universal Themes are Universally Understandable Messages.

723. Ï»¿The foundation story of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" derives from what text?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The Book of "Genesis".

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The foundation story of "Paradise Lost" is based on the creation and fall of man as described in the Book of Genesis.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the source with other biblical books or literary works.

Explanations: "Paradise Lost" retells the biblical account of creation, Adam and Eve, and their expulsion from Eden, all of which are detailed in Genesis.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the poem is based on Genesis.
Option B: Incorrect, as Revelations focuses on the end times.
Option C: Incorrect, as it is a Greek epic unrelated to Milton's work.
Option D: Incorrect, as it is a medieval collection of stories.

Mnemonic: Milton's Paradise Lost starts in Genesis.

724. Which play among the following plays is not blank verse?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Pygmalion.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, A-Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Blank verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter, commonly used in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between blank verse and prose, or unawareness of Shaw's writing style.

Explanations: Blank verse is a poetic form without rhyme, using iambic pentameter. Shakespeare and Marlowe used it extensively. Shaw's plays, like Pygmalion, are written in prose.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Hamlet is a Shakespearean play written in blank verse.
Option B: The Jew of Malta by Marlowe is also in blank verse.
Option C: Pygmalion by Shaw is written in prose, not blank verse.
Option D: Incorrect, as Pygmalion is not in blank verse.

Mnemonic: Shakespeare and Marlowe use blank verse, Shaw uses prose.

725. To whom is the concept of the uncanny attributed?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Sigmund Freud.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The uncanny is a psychological concept introduced by Sigmund Freud, describing feelings of something being simultaneously familiar and strange, often evoking unease.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the term with other literary or psychological concepts, such as the sublime or Gothic elements.

Explanations: The uncanny was introduced by Freud in his essay "The Uncanny" (1919), where he explores the psychological roots of the eerie feeling associated with the concept.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Freud introduced the concept in his essay.
Option B: Incorrect. Edmund Lewis is not associated with the uncanny.
Option C: Incorrect. Edmund Burke focused on the sublime and beautiful.
Option D: Incorrect. Mary Shelley is known for Gothic literature, not the term "uncanny."

Mnemonic: Freud's Uncanny Feeling

726. Which of the following best characterize noble women in the Middle Ages?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) All of the Above.

Exam Relevance: AP European History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Noble women in the Middle Ages had multifaceted roles, including managing households, handling problems during their husbands' absences, and embodying religious piety.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is overlooking the combination of roles, focusing only on one aspect like household management.

Explanations: Noble women were responsible for running households, which included managing servants, overseeing finances, and ensuring the estate's functionality. They were also expected to step in and resolve issues when their husbands were away, demonstrating leadership and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they were role models in religious practices, often leading prayers and setting examples of piety for their families and communities.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Noble women were indeed expected to fix problems in their husbands' absence, making this correct.
Option B: Running the household was a primary duty, so this is also correct.
Option C: They were expected to be religious role models, which is accurate.
Option D: All of the above are correct, making D the best answer.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

727. Griffin's luggage came to Iping in a.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Cart

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall specific details from the novel "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing the mode of transport with more modern options like a car, which was not prevalent at the time of the story.

Explanations: In the novel, Griffin's luggage is transported to Iping by a cart, which was a typical mode of transport in rural areas during the late 19th century.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A car was not commonly used in rural areas during the late 19th century.
Option B: A cart is the correct mode of transport used in the novel.
Option C: A camel cart is not mentioned in the context of the story.
Option D: A bullock cart is also not specified as the mode of transport used for Griffin's luggage.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

728. Which of the following themes is not explored in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Conversion to Christianity.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem explores themes such as the knightly ideal, sexual purity, and feudal loyalty but does not address conversion to Christianity.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming the poem has a religious conversion theme due to its Christian setting.

Explanations: "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" focuses on chivalric values, personal integrity, and loyalty rather than religious conversion. The narrative centers on Gawain's trials and his adherence to knightly codes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The knightly ideal is central, as Gawain's journey tests his chivalric virtues.
Option B: Conversion to Christianity is not explored; the poem does not address religious conversion.
Option C: Sexual purity is a theme, as Gawain resists the lady's advances.
Option D: Feudal loyalty is evident in Gawain's commitment to his lord and his honor.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

729. Crime was ardently followed by punishment. Elizabethans had devised various ways to fine, humiliate, torture, and kill offenders. Which crime was punishable by death?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Stealing a horse.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In Elizabethan England, certain thefts, particularly of valuable items like horses, were considered capital crimes.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that minor offenses like skipping church or public drunkenness were punishable by death.

Explanations: Stealing a horse was a serious crime in Elizabethan times because horses were crucial for transportation and agriculture. The punishment for this crime was death, often by hanging.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Skipping church was not a capital offense. It might have been frowned upon but not punishable by death.
Option B: Screaming at a husband in public was not a capital crime. It might have led to social disapproval or minor penalties.
Option C: Stealing a horse was a serious crime due to the horse's value, leading to the death penalty.
Option D: Public drunkenness was not a capital offense. It was a social issue but not a crime punishable by death.

Mnemonic: Stealing a horse in the past could cost you your last.

730. Which of the following terms does not reflect the theme of Browning's " Dover Beach" ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Learning.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold explores themes of pessimism, human misery, and melancholy, reflecting on the loss of faith and existential uncertainty.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the themes of the poem or confusing it with other works that focus on learning.

Explanations: The poem does not address learning or education. Instead, it focuses on emotional and existential themes such as pessimism, human misery, and melancholy.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Pessimism is a central theme in the poem, reflecting the loss of faith and uncertainty of life.
Option B: Human Misery is a key theme, as the poem reflects on the suffering and struggles of existence.
Option C: Melancholy is evident throughout the poem, conveying a sense of sadness and gloom.
Option D: Learning is not a theme of the poem, as it does not address education or knowledge.

Mnemonic: Dover Beach: Pessimism, Misery, Melancholy—No Learning Here.

731. During the period of which king did Chaucer fight in the English Army for the Hundred Years' War between France and England?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Edward III.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Geoffrey Chaucer's military service during the Hundred Years' War under King Edward III is a key historical fact in his biography.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise from the timeline of English kings and the duration of the Hundred Years' War.

Explanations: Chaucer fought in the Hundred Years' War, which occurred during Edward III's reign. This is a well-established historical fact about Chaucer's life.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Edward II ruled before the Hundred Years' War began, so Chaucer could not have served under him.
Option B: William I was a Norman king who ruled long before Chaucer's time.
Option C: William II also preceded Chaucer's era and the Hundred Years' War.
Option D: Edward III was the king during the Hundred Years' War, and Chaucer served in the English army under his reign.

Mnemonic: "Edward III led Chaucer to fight."

732. Which of the following figures is considered to be the father of the linguistic theory known as structuralism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Ferdinand de Saussure.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Structuralism in linguistics focuses on the underlying structures of language and how elements relate to each other. Ferdinand de Saussure is the founder of this theory.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Ferdinand de Saussure with other influential figures in different fields like psychology or economics.

Explanations: Ferdinand de Saussure introduced the concept of the linguistic sign, consisting of the signifier (sound) and the signified (meaning), which are arbitrary and conventional. His work laid the foundation for structuralist theory in linguistics.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Cleanth Brooks was a literary critic, not a linguist, and is associated with New Criticism, not structuralism.
Option B: Ferdinand de Saussure is the correct answer as he is the founder of structuralism in linguistics.
Option C: Karl Marx was a philosopher and economist, known for his theories on historical materialism, unrelated to linguistic structuralism.
Option D: Sigmund Freud was a psychologist known for psychoanalysis, which is distinct from Saussure's linguistic theories.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

733. Abslom, Absalom is a novel written by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Faulkner.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of the author of "Absalom, Absalom!" which is a key work in American literature.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Faulkner with other modernist authors like Hemingway or Fitzgerald, who are also prominent in the canon.

Explanations: "Absalom, Absalom!" is a novel by William Faulkner, known for its intricate narrative structure and exploration of Southern identity. Faulkner's work is distinct from the other authors listed, who are associated with different themes and styles.

Option Analysis:

Option A: John Steinbeck is known for works like "The Grapes of Wrath," which focus on social issues rather than Faulkner's exploration of Southern identity.
Option B: William Faulkner wrote "Absalom, Absalom!" and is known for his complex narratives and themes of family and the South.
Option C: Ernest Hemingway is known for his concise prose and themes of courage, which are different from Faulkner's style.
Option D: F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for "The Great Gatsby," which deals with the American Dream, not Faulkner's themes.

Mnemonic: Faulkner's 'Absalom' is a Southern tale, not Steinbeck's social or Hemingway's brave, nor Fitzgerald's Gatsby's fail.

734. In which work do you read: "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold. "?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) The Second Coming.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The line "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold" is from William Butler Yeats' poem "The Second Coming."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other works by Yeats or misattribute it to a different author.

Explanations: The line is a central metaphor in "The Second Coming," symbolizing the collapse of societal order and the arrival of chaos.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer does not contain the line.
Option B: The Dark Angel by John Fowles is unrelated.
Option C: The Wild Swans of Coole is another Yeats poem but does not include the line.
Option D: The Second Coming by Yeats contains the line.

Mnemonic: "Things fall apart" - think of chaos and Yeats' vision of disorder.

735. What happened to the young man once the king discovered his daughter's love affair?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) He was immediately cast into prison and a day was appointed for his trial.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Understanding the consequences of actions in a literary context, particularly involving royalty and scandal.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the typical literary outcomes of love affairs involving royalty.

Explanations: In many literary works, especially those involving royalty, being caught in a love affair with a king's daughter often leads to severe consequences such as imprisonment and trial. This aligns with the expected narrative outcomes in such scenarios.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as it reflects the typical severe consequences in literary contexts.
Option B: Incorrect, as inviting him to dinner does not fit the expected reaction.
Option C: Incorrect, as running away is not a logical consequence.
Option D: Incorrect, as forced marriage to an attendant is not a typical outcome.

Mnemonic: Love affairs with royalty often lead to牢獄 (prison) and trials.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 49”

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 49”

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