English Literature MCQ – Change your future

766. What served as the inspiration for P.B Shelley's poems to the working classes A Song: "Men of England" and England in 1819?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Peterloo Massacre.

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Peterloo Massacre was a significant historical event that influenced Shelley's poetry, particularly his concern for the working class.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Peterloo Massacre with other historical events like the Battle of Waterloo or the storming of the Bastille.

Explanations: The Peterloo Massacre occurred in 1819 when peaceful demonstrators were attacked by cavalry, leading to many casualties. This event deeply affected Shelley, inspiring his poems that advocate for workers' rights and social justice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The organization of a choral group is unrelated to Shelley's inspiration for these poems.
Option B: The Battle of Waterloo was a military event in 1815, not directly linked to Shelley's focus on working-class struggles.
Option C: The Peterloo Massacre directly inspired Shelley's empathy and advocacy for the working class in his poetry.
Option D: The storming of the Bastille was part of the French Revolution, occurring in 1789, and is unrelated to Shelley's 1819 context.

Mnemonic: Peterloo Pain, Shelley's Gain.

767. What is Robert Frost famous Journal?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Atlantic Monthly.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Robert Frost is known for his poetry, but this question focuses on identifying a journal he was associated with.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Frost's poems with his journals or publications.

Explanations: "The Atlantic Monthly" is a journal where Frost published his works. The other options are either poems by Frost or other poets, not journals.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Summers day" is a Shakespearean poem, not Frost's journal.
Option B: "The Road Not Taken" is a Frost poem, not a journal.
Option C: "The Atlantic Monthly" is the correct journal Frost was associated with.
Option D: "The Mountain Interval" is a Frost poetry collection, not a journal.

Mnemonic: Frost's Journal: Atlantic Monthly

768. Why does Horace Walpole make use of elaborate machines in "The Castle of Otranto"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) To assist with the flight and pursuit of villains and their prey.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The use of elaborate machines in "The Castle of Otranto" is a gothic literary device to enhance dramatic tension and suspense.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the purpose of gothic elements as purely for rational analysis or character development.

Explanations: Elaborate machines in "The Castle of Otranto" are used to create dramatic and suspenseful scenes, aiding in the flight and pursuit of characters, which are central to the gothic narrative.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the machines are meant to evoke emotion, not encourage rational evaluation.
Option B: Incorrect; the focus is on action and plot, not character development.
Option C: Correct; machines facilitate dramatic chase scenes, enhancing suspense.
Option D: Incorrect; the machines are narrative devices, not a commentary on machinery's role in society.

Mnemonic: Machines Move Mayhem

769. What is the name of the storyteller of 'One Thousand and One Nights'

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Scheherazade.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the central character in 'One Thousand and One Nights'.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Scheherazade with other characters like Morgiana or Sultana.

Explanations: Scheherazade is the main storyteller in the collection, known for her ability to captivate the sultan with her tales.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Scheherazade is the storyteller who saves herself by telling stories.
Option B: Incorrect. Sultana is a title, not a character.
Option C: Incorrect. Nura is not associated with the collection.
Option D: Incorrect. Morgiana is a character from the collection but not the storyteller.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

770. Christopher Ricks would most likely DISAGREE with which of the following claims about literary theory?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Literary theory is the only proper way to conceptualize literary texts.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Christopher Ricks critiques the dominance of literary theory, emphasizing direct engagement with texts over theoretical frameworks.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Ricks' stance as a complete rejection of literary theory rather than a critique of its exclusivity.

Explanations: Ricks argues against the idea that literary theory is the sole method for understanding texts, advocating for a more direct approach.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Ricks acknowledges the limitations of literary theory.
Option B: Correct, as Ricks criticizes the use of esoteric knowledge in theory.
Option C: Correct, as Ricks notes that theory is primarily used by academics.
Option D: Incorrect, as Ricks disagrees with the exclusivity of literary theory.

Mnemonic: Ricks Rejects the Only Theory Trap

771. Sri Leslie Stephen was Virginia Woolf's

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Father.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Virginia Woolf's family background.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Sri Leslie Stephen with another relative or literary figure.

Explanations: Sri Leslie Stephen was the father of Virginia Woolf, a prominent modernist writer. This familial relationship is a key fact in understanding Woolf's literary lineage and background.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sri Leslie Stephen was not Virginia Woolf's brother.
Option B: Sri Leslie Stephen was Virginia Woolf's father.
Option C: Sri Leslie Stephen was not Virginia Woolf's uncle.
Option D: Sri Leslie Stephen was not Virginia Woolf's cousin.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

772. 'Ode to Autumn' was written by .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Keats

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The poem "Ode to Autumn" is a well-known work by John Keats, a prominent Romantic poet.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Keats with other Romantic poets like Shelley or Byron.

Explanations: "Ode to Autumn" is a celebrated poem by John Keats, written in 1819. It is part of his series of odes and is known for its vivid imagery and contemplative tone. The poem reflects on the season of autumn, using natural imagery to explore themes of change, abundance, and the passage of time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Percy Bysshe Shelley is known for works like "Ozymandias" and "Prometheus Unbound," not "Ode to Autumn."
Option B: John Keats is the correct author of "Ode to Autumn."
Option C: Lord Byron is known for "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," not this poem.
Option D: William Blake is known for "Songs of Innocence" and "The Tyger," not "Ode to Autumn."

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

773. Identify the rhetorical figure used in the following line of Tennyson " Faith un-faithful kept him falsely true "

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Oxymoron.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: An oxymoron is a rhetorical figure that combines contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the definitions of other rhetorical devices like metaphor or simile could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: The line combines "un-faithful" and "true," which are contradictory, creating an oxymoron. This figure emphasizes the paradoxical nature of faith in the context.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Un-faithful" and "true" are contradictory terms, forming an oxymoron.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no comparison to another object, which is essential for a metaphor.
Option C: Incorrect. A simile requires "like" or "as," which are absent here.
Option D: Incorrect. Synecdoche involves a part representing the whole, which is not the case here.

Mnemonic: Oxymoron: Opposites attract in words, like "deafening silence."

774. In the prologue of 'Lycidas', Milton invokes and conveys the purpose of his poem.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Muse

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The invocation of the Muse is a traditional literary device used to invoke inspiration and set the tone for a poem.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Muse with other Greek gods who are not associated with poetic inspiration.

Explanations: In 'Lycidas', Milton invokes the Muse to seek guidance and inspiration for his elegy, aligning with classical poetic traditions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Zeus is the king of the gods, not associated with poetic inspiration.
Option B: The Muse is the correct figure invoked for poetic inspiration.
Option C: Apolo is not a Greek god; Apollo is, but he is associated with music and prophecy, not poetry.
Option D: Dionysus is the god of wine and theater, not directly related to poetic inspiration.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

775. What the term Comedy refers?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A play ends happily.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Comedy is a literary genre characterized by a happy ending, often involving humor and the resolution of conflicts.

Common Mistakes: Confusing comedy with tragedy, which typically ends unhappily.

Explanations: Comedy in English literature is defined by its happy resolution, distinguishing it from tragedy. This makes option D correct.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; a play ending unhappily is a tragedy.
Option B: Incorrect; murder is a tragic element, not comedic.
Option C: Incorrect; a tragedy ends in misfortune, not comedy.
Option D: Correct; comedy resolves happily.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

776. What is terza rima?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A poetic form with an interlocking three-line rhyme scheme.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Terza rima is a poetic form with a specific interlocking three-line rhyme scheme, often associated with Dante Alighieri.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the structure or confusing it with other poetic forms like blank verse or five-line stanzas.

Explanations: Terza rima uses an interlocking rhyme scheme in three-line stanzas, creating a chain effect. This structure is distinct from other forms and is historically significant in English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Dante did not reject terza rima but popularized it.
Option B: Incorrect; blank verse lacks rhyme, unlike terza rima.
Option C: Correct; describes the interlocking three-line rhyme scheme.
Option D: Incorrect; terza rima uses three-line, not five-line, stanzas.

Mnemonic: Terza Rima: Three Lines, Interlocking Rhymes

777. In what way is Dracula NOT an "Other" figure?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) He is Christian.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept of "Otherness" refers to characters who are perceived as different from the norm, often due to race, culture, or religion.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that all aspects of Dracula's character contribute to his "Otherness," without considering his Christian identity.

Explanations: Dracula is portrayed as Christian, which aligns him with the religious norms of the time, making him less of an "Other" in this aspect.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Dracula is from Transylvania, a foreign land, contributing to his "Otherness."
Option B: He is racially different, as depicted with distinct physical features.
Option C: He is Christian, aligning with the religious norms, thus not an "Other" in this aspect.
Option D: He is connected to a different time, as an ancient vampire, adding to his "Otherness."

Mnemonic: Dracula is Christian, so he's not the 'Other' in that way.

778. King Lear is based on the legend of:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Leir of Britain.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The play King Lear is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a figure from British folklore.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the origin with France or misremember the spelling of Leir.

Explanations: King Lear is derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, as documented in historical texts like Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae." The other options incorrectly attribute the legend to France or use the wrong name.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as Lear is not associated with Britain in this context.
Option B: Incorrect, as the legend is British, not French.
Option C: Incorrect, as the name Lear is not linked to France.
Option D: Correct, as the legend originates from Leir of Britain.

Mnemonic: Remember: Leir of Britain, not France, is the source of King Lear.

779. Who translated Utopia in English language:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Ralph Robinson

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of literary translations in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the author with the translator or mistaking other literary figures for the translator.

Explanations: Ralph Robinson translated Thomas More's "Utopia" into English in 1551, making it accessible to English readers for the first time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Thomas More wrote "Utopia" in Latin, not English.
Option B: Thomas Lodge did not translate "Utopia."
Option C: Ralph Robinson was the first to translate "Utopia" into English.
Option D: William Tyndale translated the Bible, not "Utopia."

Mnemonic: Ralph Robinson's 'Utopia' translation is Ralph's English work.

780. What is the translation of the term "dolce stil novo"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Sweet new style.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The term "dolce stil novo" refers to a medieval Italian literary movement emphasizing a fresh, personal poetic style.

Common Mistakes: Misinterpreting "stil novo" as "silence" or "still" instead of "new style."

Explanations: "Dolce" means "sweet," and "stil novo" translates to "new style." Together, they describe a literary movement focused on innovative poetic expression.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; "silence" misrepresents "stil novo."
Option B: Partially correct but incomplete; misses the "new style" aspect.
Option C: Incorrect; "still" is a wrong translation.
Option D: Correct; accurately translates both parts of the phrase.

Mnemonic: Dolce is sweet, stil novo is new style.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 52”

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 52”

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