English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1216. What must the mariner do to release the albatross from around his neck?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Bless the creatures.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," the mariner must atone for killing the albatross by blessing the creatures of the sea.

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse the act of atonement with other religious actions like praising Christ, which occurs later in the poem.

Explanations: The mariner's curse is lifted when he blesses the water snakes, showing his repentance and respect for all creatures. This act of blessing is the specific requirement to release the albatross's spirit.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Blessing the creatures is the act that releases the albatross.
Option B: Incorrect. Praise of Christ occurs later but does not release the albatross.
Option C: Incorrect. Apologizing to the crew is not the required action.
Option D: Incorrect. Abandoning the ship is not part of the atonement.

Mnemonic: Bless to release, creatures to appease.

1217. Which quotation is by Shakespeare?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A and c.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Shakespearean quotations and the ability to distinguish them from other authors' works.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Shakespeare's quotations with those from other poets like Alexander Pope.

Explanations: Shakespeare wrote "Cowards die many times before their deaths" in Julius Caesar and "Brevity is the soul of wit" in Hamlet. These are well-known lines attributed to him.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, from Julius Caesar.
Option B: Incorrect, by Alexander Pope.
Option C: Correct, from Hamlet.
Option D: Correct, identifies both A and C as Shakespeare's.

Mnemonic: "Shakespeare's soul of wit and deaths."

1218. When Mary Shelley writes about ghosts, what is her concern?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) A belief in ghosts is a belief in imagination.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Mary Shelley's portrayal of ghosts reflects her belief that supernatural elements are products of imagination and psychological states rather than literal entities.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Shelley's use of ghosts as literal rather than symbolic.

Explanations: Shelley uses ghosts to explore themes of imagination and human psychology. In "Frankenstein," the Creature's haunting presence symbolizes the consequences of unchecked ambition and imagination. This approach suggests that belief in ghosts is akin to believing in the power of imagination to create and influence reality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Shelley does not dismiss belief in ghosts as foolish superstition; she uses it to explore deeper themes.
Option B: Shelley does not advocate for a world without supernatural phenomena; her works often include them.
Option C: Correct. Shelley's ghosts represent imagination and psychological states.
Option D: Shelley's use of personification is not regressive but a tool for thematic exploration.

Mnemonic: Ghosts = Imagination

1219. What finally convinces Brutus to join the conspirators ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Forged letters planted by Cassius.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of how Cassius manipulates Brutus through forged letters to join the conspiracy against Caesar.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is thinking Brutus is convinced by omens or his intuition, but it's the forged letters that play the decisive role.

Explanations: Cassius forges letters from citizens urging Brutus to act against Caesar. These letters exploit Brutus's fear of Caesar's power and his sense of duty, convincing him to join the conspirators.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Forged letters from Cassius convince Brutus to join the conspiracy.
Option B: Incorrect. Visits from citizens are part of Cassius's plan but not the decisive factor.
Option C: Incorrect. Brutus's intuition is not the main reason for his decision.
Option D: Incorrect. Omens influence other characters but not Brutus's decision.

Mnemonic: Cassius Crafts Convincing Correspondence

1220. "We die As hours do, and dry Away Like to the summer's rain;" is stated by-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Wordsworth.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature Exam, Cambridge Literature Exams.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the authorship of a specific poetic line.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be confusing Wordsworth with other Romantic poets like Keats or Shelley.

Explanations: The line is from William Wordsworth's poem "The World Is Too Much with Us," which discusses themes of nature and humanity's alienation from it. This poem is a well-known work by Wordsworth, making the attribution clear.

Option Analysis:

Option A: John Keats is known for his odes and romantic imagery, not this specific poem.
Option B: William Wordsworth authored the poem containing the given line.
Option C: Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote works like "Prometheus Unbound," which is unrelated to the given line.
Option D: John Milton is known for "Paradise Lost," which is entirely different in style and content.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1221. Which of the following is the best example of a mystery play?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The Second Shepherds' Play.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Mystery plays are dramatic works that depict biblical stories or events from the lives of saints. They were popular in medieval England and often performed in cycles.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing mystery plays with other types of medieval literature, such as fabliaux or religious poems.

Explanations: The Second Shepherds' Play is a mystery play because it dramatizes the biblical story of the Nativity, focusing on the shepherds who visit the infant Jesus. It uses dialogue and dramatic action to convey the story, which is characteristic of mystery plays.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Wife of Bath's Tale" is a narrative from "The Canterbury Tales" and not a play. It is a prose tale, not a mystery play.
Option B: The Second Shepherds' Play is a mystery play as it dramatizes a biblical event.
Option C: "The Knight's Tale" is another narrative from "The Canterbury Tales" and not a play. It is a romance story, not a mystery play.
Option D: "The Dream of the Rood" is a religious poem, not a play. It recounts a visionary dream involving the cross of Christ.

Mnemonic: Mystery plays tell biblical tales, like the shepherds' play in B.

1222. Earnest Hamingway has written

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Old Man and the Sea.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of Ernest Hemingway's famous work.

Common Mistakes: Confusion with other authors' works, such as Jane Austen or James Hilton, may lead to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Ernest Hemingway authored "The Old Man and the Sea," a significant work in English literature. The other options are works by different authors.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as "The Old Man and the Sea" is Hemingway's work.
Option B: Incorrect, as "Mr. Chips" is from James Hilton's novel.
Option C: Incorrect, as "Pride and Prejudice" is by Jane Austen.
Option D: Incorrect, since Option A is correct.

Mnemonic: Hemingway's hero, Santiago, battles the sea in "The Old Man and the Sea."

1223. Elizabeth Fey refers to which poet as "a sort of poet-king Arthur"?

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

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of poets' reputations and their influence in literary movements.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the poets' roles or movements.

Explanations: William Wordsworth was a leading figure in the Romantic movement, often seen as a mentor to other poets. His influence and leadership earned him the nickname "a sort of poet-king Arthur." Other poets like Blake, Byron, and Shelley were significant but not referred to in this specific way.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Wordsworth's leadership in the Romantic movement fits the description.
Option B: Incorrect. Blake was a visionary poet, not known for this specific nickname.
Option C: Incorrect. Byron was a prominent figure but not referred to as "poet-king Arthur."
Option D: Incorrect. Shelley was a radical poet, not associated with this nickname.

Mnemonic: Wordsworth as King Arthur leads the Romantic quest.

1224. This person was captured by Native Americans but saved by Pocahontas

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) John Smith

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of historical figures and their associations with specific events.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing John Smith with other historical figures who share the last name Smith.

Explanations: John Smith was a prominent figure in the early Jamestown settlement. He was captured by the Powhatan tribe but was spared execution by Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan. This event is well-documented in historical records and is a key part of the Jamestown narrative.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Joseph Smith, Jr. was a religious leader and founder of the Latter Day Saints movement, unrelated to the Jamestown event.
Option B: Jerry Smith is not a historically significant figure associated with this event.
Option C: Hiram Smith is not a known historical figure in this context.
Option D: John Smith is the correct answer as he was the Jamestown settler saved by Pocahontas.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1225. Emperor Jones is authored by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Eugene ONeill.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the identification of the author of a specific literary work.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Eugene O'Neill with other playwrights like Tennessee Williams or Arthur Miller.

Explanations: "Emperor Jones" is a play written by Eugene O'Neill, a prominent American playwright known for his contributions to modern drama. The other options are associated with different authors and works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Tennessee Williams is known for works like "A Streetcar Named Desire," not "Emperor Jones."
Option B: Arthur Miller authored "Death of a Salesman," not "Emperor Jones."
Option C: Eugene O'Neill is the correct author of "Emperor Jones."
Option D: John Galsworthy wrote "The Forsyte Saga," unrelated to "Emperor Jones."

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1226. 'Accusingly' means.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) 'suggesting that the other person had done wrong'.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term 'accusingly' refers to an accusatory manner, implying blame.

Common Mistakes: Confusing 'accusingly' with similar-sounding words like 'critically' or 'criminally'.

Explanations: 'Accusingly' describes an action or speech that implies blame or fault. It is used when someone is suggesting that another person has done something wrong.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 'Criminally' refers to something related to crime, not accusation. Incorrect.
Option B: Correctly describes the accusatory nature of the word. Correct.
Option C: 'Critically' implies judgment or analysis, not accusation. Incorrect.
Option D: Incorrect because the correct answer is provided in option B.

Mnemonic: "Accusingly points the finger, suggesting someone's at error."

1227. What is purgatory?

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

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Religious Studies exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Purgatory is a place of cleansing and purification, serving as a transition between earth, heaven, and hell. It is also the setting for the middle portion of Dante's *The Divine Comedy*.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the theological and literary significance of purgatory.

Explanations: Purgatory is a concept in Christian theology where souls undergo purification before entering heaven. It is also depicted in Dante's *The Divine Comedy* as the middle realm between hell and heaven.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Purgatory is a place for cleansing and purification.
Option B: Correct. It is the place of transition between earth, heaven, and hell.
Option C: Correct. It is the setting for the middle portion of Dante's *The Divine Comedy*.
Option D: Correct. All of the above descriptions are accurate.

Mnemonic: Purgatory Purifies, Prepares, and Passes Souls to Heaven.

1228. Which is not a poetry form?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Tale

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to distinguish between poetic forms and narrative forms.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing a tale with a ballad or epic, as all involve storytelling.

Explanations: A tale is a narrative form, typically in prose, and not a specific poetic form. Epics, ballads, and sonnets are all recognized poetic forms.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Epic is a long narrative poem, making it a poetic form.
Option B: Tale is a prose narrative, not a poetic form.
Option C: Ballad is a traditional poetic form, often narrative.
Option D: Sonnet is a structured poetic form with 14 lines.

Mnemonic: "Epic, Ballad, Sonnet are Poems; Tale is a Prose Story."

1229. What is a Character?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Any person in a literary work.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: A character is any individual portrayed in a literary work, such as a novel, play, or poem.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as referring only to main characters or specific roles like poets or jesters.

Explanations: In English literature, a character is defined as any person, whether major or minor, who appears in a literary work. This includes all individuals, regardless of their role or prominence in the narrative.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. A character is not specifically a poet of writing.
Option B: Incorrect. A joker is a specific type of character, not the general term.
Option C: Correct. A character is any person in a literary work.
Option D: Incorrect. This limits the definition to a famous man in a play, which is too narrow.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1230. Pope's satirical powers are seen at their best in.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Dunciad.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Pope's satirical works and their significance.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing "The Dunciad" with other satirical works or not recognizing its prominence in showcasing Pope's satirical skills.

Explanations: Alexander Pope's "The Dunciad" is a satirical poem that mocks the literary pretensions and lack of talent among certain writers of his time. It is considered one of his greatest satirical works, effectively using wit and irony to critique the Dunces, or mediocre writers. The other options are either not satires or not as prominent in showcasing Pope's satirical skills.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "MacFlecknoe" is a satirical poem, but it is less known and not as prominent as "The Dunciad" in showcasing Pope's satirical powers.
Option B: "Windsor Forest" is a descriptive poem and not a satire, so it does not highlight Pope's satirical skills.
Option C: "An Essay on Man" is a philosophical poem and not a satire, thus not relevant to the question.
Option D: "The Dunciad" is Pope's most famous satirical work, effectively demonstrating his ability to critique and mock literary pretensions through wit and irony.

Mnemonic: Dunciad: D for Dunces, the target of Pope's satire.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 82”

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 82”

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