English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1126. How does Queen Gertrude die?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Poisoned by drinking from Hamlet's cup.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The death of Queen Gertrude in "Hamlet" is a pivotal moment that highlights the consequences of Claudius's deceit and the tragic chain of events.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Gertrude's death with other characters' fates, such as Ophelia's drowning or Laertes's stabbing.

Explanations: In Act V, Scene II, Claudius plans to poison Hamlet during the fencing match. He instructs Gertrude to drink from a poisoned cup intended for Hamlet, but she drinks it accidentally, leading to her death. This demonstrates Claudius's manipulation and the tragic irony of the situation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gertrude is not stabbed by Laertes; Laertes stabs Hamlet instead.
Option B: Gertrude does not drown; Ophelia drowns in an earlier scene.
Option C: Gertrude does not die from a heart attack; she dies from poisoning.
Option D: Gertrude dies by drinking from Hamlet's poisoned cup, which Claudius intended for Hamlet.

Mnemonic: Gertrude's fatal sip from Hamlet's cup.

1127. Between 1890 and 1919, which of the following was a preoccupation of Western European literature?

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

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Western European literature between 1890 and 1919 explored themes of sexual mores, the irrational, and bourgeois sensibility.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the breadth of themes in this period could lead to selecting only one option.

Explanations: The period saw works addressing sexual themes, Freudian ideas influencing literature, and critiques of middle-class life.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sexual mores were a focus in works like "Lady Chatterley's Lover."
Option B: The irrational was explored through Freudian psychology and Expressionism.
Option C: Bourgeois sensibility was critiqued in novels examining middle-class life.
Option D: All themes were present, making this the correct answer.

Mnemonic: SIB: Sexual, Irrational, Bourgeois

1128. John Milton's "Paradise Regained" is written in a(n) .....style.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Plain.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Milton's "Paradise Regained" is characterized by its plain and straightforward style, avoiding ornate or elaborate language.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Milton's style with more elaborate or complex forms of writing.

Explanations: Milton's use of plain language in "Paradise Regained" emphasizes clarity and simplicity, aligning with his stylistic choices in other works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Milton's style is plain and straightforward.
Option B: Incorrect. "Luminescent" suggests a radiant or glowing style, which is not applicable.
Option C: Incorrect. "Latinate" refers to Latin-derived language, which is not a feature here.
Option D: Incorrect. "Sophistic" implies complexity, which contradicts Milton's approach.

Mnemonic: Plain Milton, clear and bright, no fancy words in sight.

1129. The plot of Nicholas Rowe's "Jane Shore: A Tragedy" was:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Based on actual events.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The play "Jane Shore: A Tragedy" by Nicholas Rowe is based on the historical figure of Jane Shore, a mistress of King Edward IV of England.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the historical setting with fictional elements, leading to incorrect assumptions about the play's basis.

Explanations: The play follows Jane Shore's rise and fall, which were actual events in history, making it based on real occurrences.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the play is based on historical events involving Jane Shore.
Option B: Incorrect, as the play is not entirely fictional.
Option C: Incorrect, as the play does relate to the actual Jane Shore.
Option D: Incorrect, as the play does not reflect the promiscuity of Charles II.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1130. Ethos is important to establish in which of the following types of arguments?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Political arguments.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Ethos refers to the credibility or trustworthiness of the speaker, which is essential in persuasive arguments, especially in political contexts.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the role of ethos in different argument types, such as confusing it with pathos (emotional appeal) or logos (logical appeal).

Explanations: Ethos is crucial in political arguments because it helps establish the speaker's credibility, which is vital for persuasion. In contrast, emotional arguments rely on pathos, deductive and inductive arguments focus on logical structure rather than credibility.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Emotional arguments focus on pathos, not ethos.
Option B: Political arguments require establishing credibility through ethos.
Option C: Deductive arguments are about logical structure, not credibility.
Option D: Inductive arguments also focus on logic rather than credibility.

Mnemonic: Ethos for Politics: "E" for Ethos, "P" for Politics.

1131. What name is given to the English literary period that emulated the Rome of Virgil, Horace, and Ovid?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Augustan.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge English Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Augustan period in English literature is characterized by its emulation of classical Roman literature, particularly the works of Virgil, Horace, and Ovid.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the Augustan period with other literary movements like Romanticism or Metaphysical poetry.

Explanations: The Augustan period, also known as the Neoclassical period, was influenced by the literature of ancient Rome, especially the works of Virgil, Horace, and Ovid. This period emphasized order, reason, and the emulation of classical models, which distinguishes it from other literary movements.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Augustan period is named after the Roman emperor Augustus and is associated with the emulation of classical Roman literature.
Option B: Incorrect. The Metaphysical poets, such as John Donne, were known for their use of conceits and philosophical themes, which is unrelated to the Augustan period.
Option C: Incorrect. The Romantic period emphasized emotion, nature, and the sublime, which contrasts with the Augustan focus on classical models and reason.
Option D: Incorrect. Neo-Romanticism is not a standard term and does not describe the period in question.

Mnemonic: Augustan = Rome's Golden Age

1132. Which Native American author was a Protestant Methodist minister?

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

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Native American authors and their professions.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing William Apess with other Native American authors who were not ministers.

Explanations: William Apess was a Native American author and a Protestant Methodist minister. His works often addressed the struggles of Native Americans and their interactions with colonial society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Elias Boudinot was a Cherokee statesman and editor, not a minister.
Option B: William Apess was a Native American author and a Protestant Methodist minister.
Option C: Black Hawk was a Sauk warrior and leader, not a minister.
Option D: Charles Eastman was a Sioux physician and author, not a minister.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1133. The Romantic criticism is also referred to as criticism.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Impressionistic.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Romantic criticism focuses on the expression of emotions, imagination, and individualism, aligning with impressionistic criticism's emphasis on subjective experience.

Common Mistakes: Confusing Romantic criticism with historical or realist approaches, which focus on context or realism rather than emotion and imagination.

Explanations: Romantic criticism values the artist's unique perspective and emotional expression, which is characteristic of impressionistic criticism. Other options like naturalistic or real criticism focus on scientific or realistic portrayals, which do not match Romantic ideals.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Naturalistic criticism focuses on scientific and realistic portrayals, not emotional expression.
Option B: Historical criticism analyzes works within their historical contexts, not emotional expression.
Option C: Impressionistic criticism emphasizes subjective experience and emotion, aligning with Romantic ideals.
Option D: Real criticism focuses on depicting life as it is, without Romantic elements.

Mnemonic: Romantics Impress Emotions

1134. Restoration Comedy was also called the Comedy of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Manners.

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE English Literature, Edexcel A Level English Literature, Cambridge International AS and A Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Restoration Comedy, also known as the Comedy of Manners, focuses on the social interactions and behaviors of the upper classes during the Restoration period.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing it with other comedy genres like the Comedy of Humours or Sentimental Comedy.

Explanations: Restoration Comedy is characterized by its satirical portrayal of the manners, customs, and social norms of the upper classes. It emphasizes wit, social satire, and the conventions of society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Humours" refers to a different genre focusing on individual traits, not social interactions.
Option B: "Conceits" are associated with metaphysical poetry, not comedy.
Option C: "Sentiments" relates to Sentimental Comedy, which focuses on emotional themes.
Option D: "Manners" correctly identifies the focus on social behaviors and customs.

Mnemonic: "Restoration Comedy mirrors the MANNERS of the elite."

1135. Poet Alexander Pope's famous work.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The Rape of Lock.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of a major work by Alexander Pope.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise between works by different authors of the same period.

Explanations: Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" is a mock-heroic poem satirizing 18th-century society. It uses elevated language to describe trivial events, exemplifying Pope's wit and critical perspective on social norms.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The Rape of the Lock" is Pope's famous mock-heroic poem.
Option B: Incorrect. "The Deserted Village" is by Oliver Goldsmith.
Option C: Incorrect. "The Spectator" is a periodical by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele.
Option D: Incorrect. "Man was made to mourn" is by James Thomson.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1136. In the play, "Henry V, " what country does Henry wish to conquer?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) France.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The play "Henry V" by William Shakespeare centers on King Henry V's leadership and his military campaigns, particularly his claim to the French throne.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the play's historical context with other Shakespearean works or conflating it with modern geopolitical issues.

Explanations: In "Henry V," King Henry asserts his claim to the French throne, leading to the Battle of Agincourt. This historical conflict is a key element of the play's narrative.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Henry is already the king of England, so conquering it is unnecessary.
Option B: Spain is not a focus of Henry's ambitions in the play.
Option C: France is the country Henry aims to conquer, central to the play's plot.
Option D: Denmark is unrelated to Henry's goals in the play.

Mnemonic: "V for Victory over France" or "Henry V aims for France."

1137. Lady Macbeth was a very woman.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Ambitious.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Lady Macbeth's ambition is a central trait in Shakespeare's "Macbeth."

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding her manipulative nature as warmth or friendliness.

Explanations: Lady Macbeth's ambition is evident in her encouragement of her husband to commit regicide, as seen in her famous lines about being filled with cruelty.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Lady Macbeth is not warm; she is cold and calculating.
Option B: Lady Macbeth is not friendly; her interactions are manipulative.
Option C: Lady Macbeth is ambitious, driving the tragic events of the play.
Option D: Lady Macbeth is not lethargic; she is proactive and determined.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1138. The 'Comedy of humours' is a phrase generally used in connection with.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Ben Jonson.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The "Comedy of humours" refers to a genre of comedy that satirizes human behavior through the concept of humours, popularized by Ben Jonson.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing it with Shakespeare's comedies, which are more romantic and less focused on satirical humours.

Explanations: Ben Jonson's plays, such as "Every Man in His Humour," exemplify the "Comedy of humours" by using the humours theory to satirize human behavior. This style is distinct from Shakespeare's romantic comedies and Steele's sentimental comedies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Shakespeare is known for romantic comedies, not the "Comedy of humours."
Option B: Richard Steele is associated with sentimental comedies, not the humours genre.
Option C: Ben Jonson is correctly associated with the "Comedy of humours."
Option D: Incorrect, as Ben Jonson is the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Ben Jonson's humours, not Shakespeare's, are the key.

1139. When was William Wordsworth born?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) 7 April 1770.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the birth date of William Wordsworth, a key figure in English Romantic poetry.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing William Wordsworth's birth date with that of another Romantic poet, such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge or Lord Byron.

Explanations: William Wordsworth was born on April 7, 1770. This is a well-established fact in literary history, making it essential knowledge for students of English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. This is the accurate birth date of William Wordsworth.
Option B: Incorrect. This date does not correspond to Wordsworth's birth and may be confused with another poet's birth date.
Option C: Incorrect. This date is not associated with Wordsworth and may be a distractor.
Option D: Incorrect. This date is also not related to Wordsworth's birth.

Mnemonic: April's 7th, Wordsworth's birth, a key date to remember for sure.

1140. 'Andrea Del Sarto' is a poem written by:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Browning.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The poem 'Andrea Del Sarto' is a well-known work by Robert Browning.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other poets like Tennyson or Keats.

Explanations: Robert Browning wrote 'Andrea Del Sarto.' The other poets listed did not author this poem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Tennyson did not write 'Andrea Del Sarto.'
Option B: Correct, Browning wrote the poem.
Option C: Keats did not write this poem.
Option D: T.S. Eliot did not write this poem.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

⬅ Previous SetSet 76Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 76”

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 76”

Leave a Reply