English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1171. What prompts Amal to fantasize about receiving a letter from the king?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) The village headman says so.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of character motivation and textual evidence.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the source of Amal's fantasy, thinking it's due to the post office or his uncle.

Explanations: The village headman mentions the king might write to Amal, which directly leads to his fantasy. The post office's construction and his uncle are unrelated to this specific prompt.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as the headman's statement directly prompts Amal's fantasy.
Option B: Incorrect, the post office's construction isn't linked to the king's letter.
Option C: Incorrect, there's no mention of Amal's uncle telling him.
Option D: Incorrect, since option A is correct.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1172. How does literary theory resemble the practice of philosophy as it was developed by Plato and Aristotle?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Literary theory asks fundamental questions about literary interpretation, and at the same time builds specific systems of literary interpretation.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Literary theory, like the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, involves both questioning and constructing systematic frameworks.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the practical application of literary theory in real-world contexts.

Explanations: Literary theory examines fundamental questions about interpretation while developing specific systems, similar to how Plato and Aristotle built philosophical frameworks through inquiry.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because literary theory addresses real-world issues through literature.
Option B: Correct as it captures the dual nature of questioning and system-building in literary theory.
Option C: Incorrect because literary theory is not solely speculative; it often involves historical analysis.
Option D: Incorrect because literary theory can engage with politics and economics.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1173. Choose the BEST answer to fill in the blank. John Milton is best described as a strong .....who emphasized the freedom of the individual.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Protestant.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition, Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Milton was a strong advocate for individual freedom, aligning with Protestant principles.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Milton's religious affiliations or conflating Protestantism with other denominations.

Explanations: John Milton, a key figure in English literature, championed individual freedom, particularly in religious and political contexts. His beliefs and works reflect Protestant principles, emphasizing personal faith and individual conscience.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; Milton's later beliefs leaned towards Protestantism, not Anglicanism.
Option B: Incorrect; Methodism emerged later, after Milton's time.
Option C: Correct; Milton's advocacy for freedom aligns with Protestantism.
Option D: Incorrect; Milton was a Christian, not a Buddhist.

Mnemonic: Milton's Might: Protestant Principles.

1174. A satyr play was often crudely.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Comic.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Satyr plays were a form of ancient Greek drama known for their crude humor and comedic elements.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the primary purpose of satyr plays as tragic rather than comedic.

Explanations: Satyr plays were explicitly designed to be humorous and satirical, often mocking individuals, social customs, or political figures. Their association with the satyrs of Greek mythology, known for their lascivious and humorous nature, further emphasizes their comedic intent.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Satyr plays were known for their crude humor and comedic elements.
Option B: Incorrect. While some tragic elements might be present, the primary purpose was comedy.
Option C: Incorrect. It dismisses the comedic nature of the plays, which is central to their definition.
Option D: Incorrect. It conflates the primary comedic nature with tragedy, which is not accurate.

Mnemonic: Satyr plays are funny, not so tragic.

1175. What is the "Post-Modern" practice of "Deconstructionism"?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) An assault on the notion that there is any knowable truth.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Deconstructionism is a post-modern literary theory that challenges the idea of fixed, objective meanings in texts.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding deconstructionism as a critique of Victorian values or Romanticism.

Explanations: Deconstructionism, a key post-modern practice, asserts that texts do not have singular, fixed meanings. Instead, it emphasizes the instability of meaning and the impossibility of knowing absolute truth. This aligns with option A, which describes an assault on the notion of knowable truth.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Deconstructionism challenges the idea of fixed, knowable truths in texts.
Option B: Incorrect. This refers to critiques of Victorian sexual norms, unrelated to deconstructionism.
Option C: Incorrect. Romantic notions of the sublime relate to aesthetic and emotional experiences, not deconstructionist theory.
Option D: Incorrect. Combines unrelated concepts, none of which define deconstructionism.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1176. John Donne's "The Anniversaries" is a:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) An elegy in two parts

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: "The Anniversaries" by John Donne consists of two elegies that reflect on the death of his wife.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the structure or genre of Donne's work.

Explanations: "The Anniversaries" is a collection of two elegies, each reflecting on the death of Donne's wife. An elegy is a serious poem often mourning a death, which aligns with the content of these works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "The Anniversaries" are two elegies.
Option B: Incorrect. An epic is a long narrative poem, which does not fit.
Option C: Incorrect. A ballad is a narrative poem with a rhythmic, musical quality, not applicable here.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is provided in Option A.

Mnemonic: E for Elegy, A for Anniversary

1177. Who wrote 'Ulysses'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Alfred Tennyson.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of poets and their works in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Alfred Tennyson with other Victorian poets like S.T. Coleridge or R.L. Stevenson.

Explanations: 'Ulysses' is a well-known poem by Alfred Tennyson, reflecting on the legendary hero's restlessness and desire for adventure. It is a dramatic monologue that captures Ulysses' dissatisfaction with his current life and his yearning for further exploration.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Thomas Moore is known for works like 'Lalla Rookh', not 'Ulysses'.
Option B: Alfred Tennyson wrote 'Ulysses', a famous dramatic monologue.
Option C: R.L. Stevenson wrote 'Treasure Island' and other adventure novels, not 'Ulysses'.
Option D: S.T. Coleridge is known for 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', not 'Ulysses'.

Mnemonic: T for Tennyson, Ulysses' restlessness.

1178. The voyages of discovery made by the Beagle and other scientific survey-related journeys influenced fiction-particularly early science fiction. Which of the following BEST explains why?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Seeing foreign lands and strange people and animals, and witnessing new geological formations or strange biological processes, renewed the age-old quest for new worlds and the "fantastic."

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The voyages of the Beagle and similar expeditions exposed explorers to unfamiliar environments, cultures, and natural phenomena, inspiring early science fiction by reigniting the imagination about unexplored worlds and fantastical elements.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the influence of these voyages as being about distraction or colonialism rather than imaginative inspiration.

Explanations: The voyages of the Beagle and other scientific expeditions exposed explorers to foreign lands, strange people and animals, and new geological and biological phenomena. These experiences inspired early science fiction by renewing the age-old quest for new worlds and the "fantastic," as they provided material for imaginative and speculative storytelling.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The lack of classical education is unrelated to the influence of voyages on science fiction.
Option B: Incorrect. The voyages were not used as distractions but as sources of inspiration for imaginative literature.
Option C: Correct. The exposure to new environments and phenomena inspired early science fiction by reigniting the quest for new worlds and the fantastic.
Option D: Incorrect. The focus on colonial expansion is a political aspect, not a literary influence.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1179. Who is the writer of 'Robinson Crusoe'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Daniel Defoe

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the authorship of a famous literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Daniel Defoe with other 18th-century authors.

Explanations: Daniel Defoe wrote 'Robinson Crusoe', published in 1719. It is considered one of the first English novels and is a key text in the development of realistic fiction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Samuel Johnson was a lexicographer and essayist, not the author of 'Robinson Crusoe'.
Option B: Edward Gibbon was a historian known for 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'.
Option C: Samuel Richardson was a novelist known for 'Pamela' and 'Clarissa'.
Option D: Daniel Defoe is the correct author of 'Robinson Crusoe'.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1180. Who coined the term 'The stream of Consciousness novel'?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) William James.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The term "stream of consciousness" was coined by William James in his psychological studies.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between William James and Henry James, who are unrelated in this context.

Explanations: William James introduced the term in his psychological work, which later influenced literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as William James coined the term.
Option B: Incorrect, Henry James was a novelist, not the originator.
Option C: Incorrect, Henry Fielding is an 18th-century novelist.
Option D: Incorrect, Tom Jones is a character in Fielding's novel.

Mnemonic: "William James streams thoughts, not Henry."

1181. Seven Ages of Man appears in " As you like it". Which character's speech it is?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Jaques

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The speech on the seven ages of man is a famous monologue from Shakespeare's "As You Like It."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the speaker with other characters like Orlando or Oliver, who have different roles in the play.

Explanations: Jaques delivers the monologue in Act II, Scene VII, reflecting on the stages of human life. This is a key moment in the play and is often studied in detail.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Amiens is a minor character and does not deliver this speech.
Option B: Orlando is a romantic lead, not associated with this monologue.
Option C: Oliver is Orlando's brother, focused on themes of jealousy, not this speech.
Option D: Jaques delivers the monologue on the seven ages of man.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1182. In "The Gothic Sublime" how does Mishra characterize the Gothic novel?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) As a set of literary devices developed in the 18th century but applicable to present day.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, Cambridge English Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Gothic novel is characterized by its use of specific literary devices that originated in the 18th century but remain relevant in contemporary literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the Gothic novel with the Romantic novel or misunderstanding its themes as solely tied to the 18th century.

Explanations: Mishra views the Gothic novel as a collection of enduring literary devices, such as the supernatural and the exploration of human psychology, that transcend their historical context. These elements are still used in modern literature to evoke the sublime and explore complex themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because the Gothic novel is not synonymous with the Romantic novel.
Option B: Correct as it accurately describes the Gothic novel's enduring literary devices.
Option C: Incorrect because the Gothic novel is not the antithesis of postmodernism.
Option D: Incorrect because the Gothic novel does not resolve madness but often explores it.

Mnemonic: Gothic: Devices for Any Time

1183. Which of the following are well-known Post-Modern theoreticians?

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

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Post-Modern theoreticians, requiring identification of key figures in the field.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Post-Modern theorists with philosophers from other movements, such as Thomas Hobbes.

Explanations: Linda Hutcheon and Jean Baudrillard are well-known Post-Modern theorists. Thomas Hobbes is a classical philosopher and not associated with Post-Modernism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Linda Hutcheon is a prominent Post-Modern theorist.
Option B: Jean Baudrillard is another well-known Post-Modern theorist.
Option C: Thomas Hobbes is a classical philosopher, not a Post-Modern theorist.
Option D: Both A and B are correct, making this the right choice.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1184. Petruchio behaved in a during his wedding.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Wild and shocking manner.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, AQA English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the characterization of Petruchio in "The Taming of the Shrew," focusing on his unconventional behavior during the wedding.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming Petruchio behaves respectfully, as his actions are often misunderstood in the context of the play's themes.

Explanations: Petruchio's arrival at the wedding is unconventional and disruptive, arriving late and disheveled with a group of rowdy companions. This behavior shocks the guests and contrasts with the expected decorum, showcasing his wild and shocking manner.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Petruchio's behavior is not decent; it is disruptive and unconventional.
Option B: Petruchio's behavior is not pleasant; it is shocking and unconventional.
Option C: Petruchio's behavior is wild and shocking, as he arrives late and disheveled with rowdy companions.
Option D: Petruchio's behavior is not genial; it is disruptive and unconventional.

Mnemonic: Wild Petruchio Weds

1185. The full name of W.B. Yeats is -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) William Butler Yeats

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall the full name of a well-known English poet.

Common Mistakes: Common mistakes include confusing the middle name or misremembering the surname.

Explanations: William Butler Yeats is a renowned Irish poet, playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. His full name is essential for identification and study in English literature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Winstern Barret Yeats" is incorrect; the correct middle name is Butler, not Barret.
Option B: "William Bill Yeats" is incorrect; "Bill" is not his middle name.
Option C: "William Butler Yeats" is correct; it matches the poet's full name.
Option D: "William Bernard Yeats" is incorrect; the middle name is Butler, not Bernard.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 79”

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 79”

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