English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1051. What were "conduct books"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Books that established standards of behavior for women.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Conduct books were literature that prescribed behavioral standards, particularly for women, reflecting societal norms.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the primary audience as men rather than women.

Explanations: Conduct books focused on establishing behavioral standards for women, outlining their expected roles and manners in society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as it accurately describes the purpose of conduct books.
Option B: Incorrect, as the primary focus was on women's behavior, not men's treatment of wives.
Option C: Misleading, as the books established standards, not conformed to them.
Option D: Incorrect, as they were not historical records but prescriptive guides.

Mnemonic: "Conduct books guide conduct, especially for women's routine."

1052. According to Marvell the mistress will loose her virginity in coffin due to.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Worms.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell uses the metaphor of worms to symbolize decay and the inevitability of death.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the symbolic role of worms in the poem.

Explanations: In "To His Coy Mistress," Marvell warns that if the mistress delays her love, she will lose her virginity not through age or death, but through the decay caused by worms in the coffin. This emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of decay.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Death is a theme but does not directly cause the loss of virginity.
Option B: Worms symbolize decay and decomposition, directly causing the loss.
Option C: Age is not the focus; the poem emphasizes death and decay.
Option D: Incorrect because the answer is explicitly stated in the poem.

Mnemonic: "Worms in the coffin, not age or death alone."

1053. Which was Byron's first volume?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Hours of Idleness.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Lord Byron's early literary works, specifically his first published volume.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Byron's first volume with his later works or misremembering the title.

Explanations: Lord Byron's first published volume was "Hours of Idleness," released in 1797. This collection marked the beginning of his literary career and showcased his early poetic style.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Lara, A Tale" is a later work by Byron, not his first volume.
Option B: "Famous in my time" is not a recognized work by Byron.
Option C: "Hours of Idleness" is correct, as it was Byron's first published volume.
Option D: "So light in the night" is not a known work by Byron.

Mnemonic: Byron's first book was "Hours of Idleness"—a name that hints at his early poetic musings and the quiet moments that inspired his work.

1054. The mother urges her children to make her years of sorrow into:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A torch for tomorrow.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The phrase "a torch for tomorrow" uses a metaphor to convey that past sorrows can illuminate and guide future actions.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the metaphorical meaning of "torch" as a literal object rather than a symbol of hope and guidance.

Explanations: The metaphor of a torch represents hope and guidance. The mother's years of sorrow should inspire her children to move forward, using her experiences as a source of strength and direction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A book implies a literal guide, not a metaphorical one.
Option B: A treasure suggests something to be kept, not a continuous source of hope.
Option C: A beacon is too generic and doesn't tie sorrow to future guidance.
Option D: A torch symbolizes hope and guidance, fitting the metaphor.

Mnemonic: "Torch for tomorrow, light the way."

1055. Which powerful figure does Faustus ridicule with his new-found powers?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) The Pope.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The play "Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe depicts Faustus's defiance against religious authority, particularly through his mockery of the Pope.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the figures Faustus mocks, such as thinking he mocks the Holy Roman Emperor instead of the Pope.

Explanations: Faustus uses his powers to create a devil in the Pope's form and make him dance, showing his defiance against religious authority.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Faustus mocks the Pope by creating a devil in his form.
Option B: Incorrect. The play does not depict Faustus mocking the Holy Roman Emperor.
Option C: Incorrect. The King of England is not mocked in the play.
Option D: Incorrect. The King of France is not a target of Faustus's mockery.

Mnemonic: Faustus mocks the Pope, not the others, with his devilish powers.

1056. The span of years covered by the Age of Milton is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) 1625-1660.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Age of Milton refers to the literary period dominated by John Milton's works, particularly his major poems like "Paradise Lost."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the timeframe of Milton's major works or conflating it with earlier or later literary periods.

Explanations: John Milton's significant contributions, including "Paradise Lost," were published during the mid-17th century. The period 1625-1660 captures his active writing years and the historical context of the English Civil War and Restoration.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as it aligns with Milton's active writing period and key historical events.
Option B: Incorrect, as it refers to an earlier period before Milton's major works.
Option C: Incorrect, as it is too broad and includes years before Milton's significant contributions.
Option D: Incorrect, as the correct answer is provided in Option A.

Mnemonic: Milton's Masterpiece Mid-1600s

1057. "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" are broken into sections called:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Cantos

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Cantos are subdivisions within long narrative poems, similar to chapters in a novel.

Common Mistakes: Confusing cantos with stanzas or lines, which are smaller divisions within a poem.

Explanations: "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" and "Don Juan" are structured into cantos, which are major sections of the poem. This terminology is specific to long narrative poems and distinguishes them from other literary forms.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Cantos are the appropriate term for the sections of these poems.
Option B: Incorrect. Stanzas are smaller groupings of lines within a poem.
Option C: Incorrect. Lines are individual units of verse, not sections of the poem.
Option D: Incorrect. Chapters are used in novels, not in poetry.

Mnemonic: Cantos are like chapters in a long poem.

1058. What does Edward Said argue about the concept of the Orient?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) It was produced by Western scholarship.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition Exam, IB English Literature Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Edward Said's "Orientalism" argues that the concept of the Orient was constructed by Western scholars to justify colonialism and reinforce Western superiority.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking the Orient was a neutral or accurate depiction rather than a constructed idea.

Explanations: Said's work demonstrates that the Orient was not an objective reality but a product of Western scholarship and imagination. This construction served to justify colonialism by creating a binary of East and West, where the West was seen as superior and the Orient as exotic, mysterious, and inferior.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Said directly links the concept of the Orient to Western colonization, showing it was used to justify and maintain colonial power.
Option B: Incorrect. The Orient does not illustrate political equality; it reflects a power imbalance where the West positioned itself as superior.
Option C: Correct. The Orient was a construct created by Western scholars to serve colonial interests.
Option D: Incorrect. Said's focus is not on literary pride but on how the West constructed the Orient to justify colonialism.

Mnemonic: Said's Orient: West's Creation, Not Reality.

1059. 'Mansfield Park' is a novel by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Jane Austen.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to identify the author of a specific novel in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Jane Austen with other female authors of the same period.

Explanations: Jane Austen is the author of 'Mansfield Park'. The other options are incorrect because: - A) Katherine Mansfield is a different author known for her short stories. - B) Emily Bronte wrote 'Wuthering Heights'. - C) George Eliot wrote 'Middlemarch' and other novels.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Katherine Mansfield is a 20th-century New Zealand writer, not the author of 'Mansfield Park'.
Option B: Emily Bronte wrote 'Wuthering Heights', not 'Mansfield Park'.
Option C: George Eliot wrote 'Middlemarch', not 'Mansfield Park'.
Option D: Jane Austen wrote 'Mansfield Park'.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1060. Which poet could be described as part of \ The Movement\ of the 1950s?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Both A and C.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Movement was a group of British poets in the 1950s known for their traditional forms and clear language.

Common Mistakes: Mistakenly associating Dylan Thomas with The Movement instead of his earlier work.

Explanations: The Movement poets, including Thom Gunn and Philip Larkin, focused on traditional forms and accessible language, distinguishing them from earlier poets like Dylan Thomas.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Thom Gunn was a key member of The Movement.
Option B: Dylan Thomas was part of an earlier literary movement, not The Movement.
Option C: Philip Larkin was a central figure in The Movement.
Option D: Both Thom Gunn and Philip Larkin were part of The Movement.

Mnemonic: "The Movement includes Gunn and Larkin, not Thomas."

1061. In which work of Edmund Spenser the Ape and the Fox serve to satirize the customs of the court?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Edmund Spenser's "Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale" uses the Ape and the Fox to satirize courtly customs.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the satirical elements or confusing it with other works by Spenser.

Explanations: In "Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale," Spenser employs the Ape and the Fox to critique the corruption and vanity prevalent in the court. This satirical approach is central to the work's purpose.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Teares of the Muses" is a collection of elegies and does not involve the Ape and the Fox.
Option B: "Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale" is the correct work where the Ape and the Fox satirize court customs.
Option C: "Muiopotmos, or the Fate of the Butterflie" is an elegy and does not contain the satirical elements of the Ape and the Fox.
Option D: "Ruines of Rome: by Bellay" is a translation and does not involve the Ape and the Fox.

Mnemonic: Ape and Fox in Mother Hubberds Tale.

1062. The most important tenet of the Black Arts Movements is:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) African American images should inspire African Americans.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Black Arts Movement prioritized art that empowered and uplifted the African American community.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the movement's focus on community empowerment rather than exclusion or subversion.

Explanations: The Black Arts Movement sought to create art that reflected and inspired African American experiences, fostering pride and unity within the community.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The movement did not exclude women; it aimed to include and empower all African Americans.
Option B: Correct. The movement emphasized art that inspired African Americans, promoting cultural pride and identity.
Option C: Incorrect. While the movement critiqued dominant narratives, its primary focus was on uplifting African American culture, not subverting European or White American art.
Option D: Incorrect. The movement rejected the replication of White language, advocating instead for authentic African American expression.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1063. Who would be called the English Homer and father of English poetry?

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

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Geoffrey Chaucer is recognized as the father of English poetry and the "English Homer" due to his foundational contributions to English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Geoffrey Chaucer with other medieval writers like Sir Thomas Malory or John Gower, who are also significant but not as foundational in establishing English as a literary language.

Explanations: Geoffrey Chaucer is known as the "English Homer" and the father of English poetry because he was the first major poet to write in Middle English, helping to establish English as a literary language. His works, such as "The Canterbury Tales," are foundational to English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sir Thomas Malory is known for "Le Morte d'Arthur," not for being the father of English poetry.
Option B: Geoffrey Chaucer is correct because he is the foundational figure in English poetry.
Option C: Caedmon was an early Anglo-Saxon poet but not as influential in the development of English poetry as Chaucer.
Option D: John Gower wrote in both French and English but is not as prominent as Chaucer in the history of English literature.

Mnemonic: "Chaucer is the father of English poetry, just as Homer is the father of Greek poetry."

1064. In what way(s) did the events of the Easter Rising affect the work of writers?

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

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Easter Rising influenced Irish writers to critique British colonial practices, depict violence and sacrifice, and create an Irish national identity.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking only one aspect was influenced, not all three.

Explanations: The Easter Rising of 1916 significantly impacted Irish literature by inspiring writers to critique British colonial practices, depict themes of violence and sacrifice, and foster the creation of an Irish national identity. These effects are evident in the works of prominent Irish writers of the time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Easter Rising led to criticism of British colonial practices in Irish literature.
Option B: Correct. The event influenced depictions of violence and sacrifice in literature.
Option C: Correct. The Rising inspired the creation of an Irish national identity in literary works.
Option D: Correct. All the above points are accurate.

Mnemonic: Easter Rising: Critique, Violence, Identity—All Three!

1065. Which member of the corn clan could not overlook the wrondoings of the rest of the clan?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The priest's son

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of character roles and their moral responsibilities in a narrative.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that age or family status directly correlates with moral judgment without considering the character's role.

Explanations: The priest's son, as a religious figure, is expected to uphold moral standards, making it impossible for him to overlook wrongdoings. Other options do not align with the moral authority required to address such issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The youngest member is less likely to challenge the clan's actions due to inexperience.
Option B: The oldest member may prioritize tradition over moral judgment.
Option C: The priest's son, as a religious figure, must uphold integrity and cannot ignore wrongdoings.
Option D: The chief's son may prioritize loyalty to the chief over moral judgment.

Mnemonic: Priests preach purity, so they can't ignore sin.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 71”

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 71”

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