English Literature MCQ – Change your future

856. The central idea of 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' is that.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) We can find solace in nature.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem highlights the emotional comfort nature provides, particularly through the memory of daffodils.

Common Mistakes: Misinterpreting the poem as merely describing nature's beauty without its emotional impact.

Explanations: The poem illustrates how the speaker finds comfort in the memory of daffodils, emphasizing nature's role in providing solace.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The poem does not focus on imagination but on emotional comfort.
Option B: Nature is portrayed positively, not as harmful.
Option C: While nature is beautiful, the poem's focus is on solace.
Option D: Correctly identifies the theme of finding solace in nature.

Mnemonic: Daffodils Delight, Solace in Sight

857. Who wrote 'Preface to Shakespeare'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Dr. Samuel Johnson.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of literary criticism and the authors associated with significant prefaces or introductions to Shakespeare's works.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Dr. Samuel Johnson with other 18th-century writers like Henry Fielding or Daniel Defoe, who are known for their novels rather than literary criticism.

Explanations: Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote the 'Preface to Shakespeare' as part of his 1765 edition of Shakespeare's plays. This preface is a foundational text in English literary criticism, where Johnson evaluates Shakespeare's work, praising his natural genius while also pointing out his flaws. Johnson's critical approach was influential in establishing Shakespeare's reputation as a supreme literary figure.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Dr. Samuel Johnson authored the 'Preface to Shakespeare,' a seminal work in literary criticism.
Option B: Incorrect. Henry Fielding was a novelist, not a literary critic of Shakespeare.
Option C: Incorrect. Daniel Defoe was a journalist and novelist, unrelated to Shakespearean criticism.
Option D: Incorrect. Thomas Hobbes was a philosopher, not involved in literary criticism of Shakespeare.

Mnemonic: Johnson's Preface, Shakespeare's praise.

858. At the beginning of the play, Mirabell is defeated by Fainall in a card game at the.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Chocolate house

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature, Edexcel A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The play "The Way of the World" by William Congreve is set in a chocolate house, a popular social venue in Restoration London.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the historical context of the play's setting could lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: In "The Way of the World," the chocolate house serves as a central location for social interactions and card games. Mirabell's defeat by Fainall occurs in this setting, reflecting the play's exploration of Restoration society's vices and intrigues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A casino is not a typical setting in Restoration London, making this incorrect.
Option B: The chocolate house is the correct setting, as it aligns with the play's historical context.
Option C: A club is too vague and not specific to the play's setting.
Option D: A bar is too generic and not relevant to the play's context.

Mnemonic: Mirabell's Misfortune at the Chocolate House

859. In Don Juan Byron used:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Ottava Rima.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Ottava Rima is an eight-line stanza form with a specific rhyme scheme, commonly used in narrative poetry.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Ottava Rima with other poetic forms like Blank Verse or Terza Rima.

Explanations: Don Juan is written in Ottava Rima, a form with eight-line stanzas and an ABABABCC rhyme scheme, which is characteristic of Byron's narrative style.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Blank verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter, not used in Don Juan.
Option B: Ottava Rima is the correct form, with eight-line stanzas and specific rhyme scheme.
Option C: Refrain is a repeated line, not a feature of Don Juan's structure.
Option D: Terza rima is a three-line stanza form, used in works like Dante's Inferno, not Don Juan.

Mnemonic: Ottava Rima: Byron's Don Juan flows in eight-line stanzas.

860. What do you mean by Prose?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A writing without rhyme.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT, GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Prose is a form of written or spoken language that does not follow a formal metrical structure, unlike poetry. It is characterized by its straightforward and natural flow.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing prose with poetry, as both are forms of literature but have distinct characteristics.

Explanations: Prose is defined by its lack of rhyme and structured rhythm, making it distinct from poetry. It is meant to be read in a natural, conversational manner.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Prose does not use rhyme.
Option B: Incorrect. Writing with rhyme is characteristic of poetry, not prose.
Option C: Incorrect. Verse refers to poetry, which is different from prose.
Option D: Incorrect. While prose can have rhythm, it does not follow a formal or structured rhythm like poetry.

Mnemonic: Prose is plain, no rhyme or pain.

861. Which of the following poems describe or celebrate an apocalyptic regeneration of humanity and the world effected by the creative capacity of the human mind?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) All but C.

Exam Relevance: AQA A-Level English Literature, OCR A-Level English Literature, Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Romantic poetry and themes of apocalypse and regeneration, particularly in Blake's works.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Coleridge's introspective themes with Blake's visionary apocalyptic imagery.

Explanations: Blake's "Prophetic Books" envision a transformative apocalypse through the human mind's creativity. Coleridge's poem focuses on personal dejection, not apocalypse. Wollstonecraft's work is a non-poetic treatise on women's rights.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Coleridge's poem deals with personal dejection and creativity, not apocalyptic themes.
Option B: Blake's works depict visionary apocalypse and regeneration through the imagination.
Option C: Wollstonecraft's work is a non-poetic treatise on women's rights.
Option D: Correct, as only C does not fit the theme.

862. How many volumes were there in his story collection titled Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque when it was published in 1840?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) 2.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, English Literature GCSE

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the publication details of Edgar Allan Poe's "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing the number of volumes with other editions or collections by Poe.

Explanations: Edgar Allan Poe's "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque" was published in 1840 and consisted of two volumes. This is a well-documented fact about the collection, which includes some of Poe's most famous short stories.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. There were not three volumes in the 1840 publication.
Option B: Correct. The collection was published in two volumes in 1840.
Option C: Incorrect. Four volumes is an overstatement of the number of volumes published in 1840.
Option D: Incorrect. Six volumes is far more than the actual number published in 1840.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

863. A neoclassical poet would be most likely to compose a poem celebrating which of the following ideals?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Emotional restraint.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Neoclassical poetry emphasizes rationality, order, and emotional restraint, reflecting ideals of duty and moderation.

Common Mistakes: Confusing neoclassical ideals with Romanticism, which values passion and nature.

Explanations: Neoclassical poets like Alexander Pope focused on controlled expression and classical forms, valuing reason and restraint over emotional excess.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Passionate love is a Romantic ideal, not neoclassical.
Option B: Emotional restraint aligns with neoclassical values of order and rationality.
Option C: Revolution is associated with Romanticism and political upheaval, not neoclassical themes.
Option D: Communion with nature is a Romantic concept, emphasizing emotion and the natural world.

Mnemonic: NEO = NO Emotion Overly

864. What quality does the Gothic novel of the 18th and early 19th centuries share with the majority of English novels of the same time period?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A focus on the individual.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Gothic novels and English novels of the 18th and early 19th centuries both emphasize individual experiences and psychological depth.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the focus on individualism versus other themes like horror or realism.

Explanations: Gothic novels explore the individual's struggle with identity, morality, and societal expectations. This aligns with the broader trend in English novels of the time to prioritize character development and personal narratives.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gothic novels are not primarily realistic; they often include supernatural elements.
Option B: Epistolary format is not a defining feature of Gothic novels.
Option C: Both Gothic and English novels focus on individual experiences and psychological depth.
Option D: Gothic novels often use foreign or imaginary settings to enhance atmosphere.

Mnemonic: "Gothic novels focus on the 'G' for 'Guts' of the individual."

865. Little Time is a character in Hardy's

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Jude the Obscure.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Thomas Hardy's works and specific characters within them.

Common Mistakes: Misremembering Hardy's novels or confusing characters across his works.

Explanations: Little Time is a character in "Jude the Obscure," a novel by Thomas Hardy. The novel explores themes of education, class, and societal constraints, with Jude Fawley as the central character. Little Time is Jude's youngest child, born from his relationship with Sue Bridehead, and represents the tragic consequences of Jude's circumstances.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Return of the Native" is a Hardy novel but does not feature Little Time.
Option B: Correct. Little Time is in "Jude the Obscure."
Option C: "The Mayor of Casterbridge" centers on Michael Henchard and does not include Little Time.
Option D: Incorrect because Little Time is in "Jude the Obscure."

Mnemonic: Jude and Journey: Remember "Jude the Obscure" as the novel where Little Time appears by associating "Jude" with "Journey."

866. In the play, "Henry V, " who is the close friend and mentor of young Henry?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Falstaff.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Falstaff is a prominent figure in Shakespeare's Henry IV plays, where he acts as a mentor and close friend to Prince Henry.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between Falstaff and other Shakespearean characters like Horatio or Nim, who are not mentors to Henry V.

Explanations: Falstaff is a central character in Henry IV, where he mentors Prince Henry. His role is crucial in Henry's development, making him the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Montjoy is a French herald, not a mentor to Henry.
Option B: Horatio is from Hamlet, unrelated to Henry V.
Option C: Falstaff is the mentor and close friend to Henry in the play.
Option D: Nim is a minor character, not a mentor to Henry.

Mnemonic: Falstaff: The Fat Friend of Henry.

867. Bathos refers - v

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Ridiculous in writing or speech.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Bathos is a literary term describing a sudden shift from a serious tone to something trivial or absurd.

Common Mistakes: Confusing bathos with pathos, which relates to emotional appeal rather than tone inconsistency.

Explanations: Bathos occurs when a writer unexpectedly introduces something trivial or ridiculous after a serious or elevated tone, creating an unintended humorous or absurd effect.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Bathos involves a shift to something ridiculous in tone.
Option B: Incorrect. Bathos is not about the content being pathetic but the tone shift.
Option C: Incorrect. Focuses on events rather than tone inconsistency.
Option D: Incorrect. Bathos is unrelated to the antiquity of style.

Mnemonic: Bathos brings a burst of the bizarre.

868. 'The Jew of Malta' is written by?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Christopher Marlowe.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of the author of 'The Jew of Malta'.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Christopher Marlowe with William Shakespeare, as both are significant figures in English literature.

Explanations: 'The Jew of Malta' is a play by Christopher Marlowe, known for its exploration of themes like greed and revenge. It is not associated with William Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, or William Congreve.

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Shakespeare did not write 'The Jew of Malta'.
Option B: Christopher Marlowe is the correct author of 'The Jew of Malta'.
Option C: Ben Johnson is not associated with this play.
Option D: William Congreve is unrelated to this work.

Mnemonic: Marlowe's Malta, not Shakespeare's stage.

869. And were born in the same year 1564.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Marlowe and Shakespeare.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the birth years of notable English playwrights.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing the birth years of Marlowe and Jonson or Shakespeare and Shaw.

Explanations: Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare were both born in 1564, making them contemporaries. This shared birth year is a key fact in the study of English literature, highlighting their roles during the Elizabethan era.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Marlowe and Shakespeare were born in 1564.
Option B: Incorrect. Ben Jonson was born in 1572.
Option C: Incorrect. George Bernard Shaw and John Galsworthy were born in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Option D: Incorrect. Shakespeare was born in 1564, but George Bernard Shaw was born in 1856.

Mnemonic: "Marlowe and Shakespeare, both born in '64, shaped the golden age of the stage."

870. When something is described in terms of another, stating that one thing in fact IS another, it is most likely

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) A metaphor.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly states that one thing is another, emphasizing similarity without using "like" or "as."

Common Mistakes: Confusing metaphor with simile, which uses "like" or "as," is a common mistake.

Explanations: A metaphor directly equates two unlike things, such as "Time is a thief." This comparison highlights a shared quality without using "like" or "as."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. A metaphor directly states that one thing is another. Example: "Her eyes were fire."
Option B: Incorrect. A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare. Example: "Her eyes were like fire."
Option C: Incorrect. An analogy explains a relationship, not a direct comparison. Example: "Life is like a journey."
Option D: Incorrect. Imagery uses descriptive language to create mental images, not direct comparisons. Example: "The sun blazed brightly."

Mnemonic: Metaphor: "Is" Not "Like"

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 58”

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 58”

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