English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1306. .....is an attack by Ruskin on the Philistines.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Modern Painters.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: John Ruskin's critique of Philistine values is central to "Modern Painters."

Common Mistakes: Confusing "Modern Painters" with other works like "Stones of Venice" or "The Seven Lamps of Architecture," which focus on different aspects of Ruskin's critique.

Explanations: "Modern Painters" is Ruskin's major work where he directly attacks Philistine values, emphasizing the importance of art and beauty. The other works, while important, do not specifically target the Philistines in the same manner.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Modern Painters" is Ruskin's critique of Philistine values.
Option B: Incorrect. "Stones of Venice" focuses on architecture and Venetian history.
Option C: Incorrect. "The Seven Lamps of Architecture" discusses principles of architecture.
Option D: Incorrect. "Praeterita" is Ruskin's autobiography.

Mnemonic: "Modern Painters vs. Philistines" - remember the direct critique.

1307. When was John Keats born?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) 31 October 1795.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level English Literature, SAT Subject Test in Literature.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recall of the birthdate of John Keats, a key figure in English Romantic poetry.

Common Mistakes: Confusion with the birthdates of other Romantic poets like Shelley or Wordsworth.

Explanations: John Keats was born on 31 October 1795. This is a well-established fact in literary history.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 25 December 1767 is Samuel Johnson's birthdate.
Option B: 30 April 1789 is Percy Bysshe Shelley's birthdate.
Option C: 31 October 1795 is John Keats's correct birthdate.
Option D: 22 November 1756 is William Wordsworth's birthdate.

Mnemonic: "October's end, 31st, Keats was born, his poems transcend."

1308. The British Empire is often described as "ambivalent" in its expansion. Which of the following best explains this in terms of Victorian Imperialism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The British were not always interested in the territories that they took over, but occasionally felt compelled to conquer one territory to protect another.

Exam Relevance: AQA GCSE History, Cambridge IGCSE History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The term "ambivalent" in British imperial expansion refers to a mix of motivations, including strategic protection of existing interests rather than purely territorial gain.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming that British expansion was solely driven by a desire for land acquisition without considering strategic or protective reasons.

Explanations: The British Empire's expansion was not always driven by a primary interest in the territories themselves. Instead, they sometimes conquered areas to protect existing colonies or trade routes, reflecting a strategic and sometimes reluctant approach to imperialism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as it ignores the economic and strategic motivations tied to trade and protection.
Option B: Incorrect, as it oversimplifies the expansion as relentless and unselective.
Option C: Correct, as it highlights the strategic, protective nature of some conquests.
Option D: Incorrect, as religious persecution was not a primary motivator.

Mnemonic: "Conquer to Protect"

1309. An Essay concerning Human Understanding was written by.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Locke.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the author of "An Essay concerning Human Understanding."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Locke with other Enlightenment thinkers.

Explanations: John Locke authored "An Essay concerning Human Understanding," which explores empiricism and the nature of human knowledge. The other options are incorrect as they refer to different authors: Dr. Johnson, Rousseau, and Swift.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Dr. Johnson is known for his dictionary and literary criticism, not this essay.
Option B: Rousseau wrote "The Social Contract" and "Emile," focusing on education and society.
Option C: Swift is famous for "Gulliver's Travels" and satirical works.
Option D: Locke wrote the essay, making this the correct answer.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1310. From which store Griffin stole clothes, food, and fake nose?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Omniums.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of specific details from a literary text.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the store names if they are similar.

Explanations: In the story, Griffin steals clothes, food, and a fake nose from the Omniums store. This is a key detail that identifies the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Omniums is the store from which Griffin steals.
Option B: Incorrect, Ottaca is not mentioned in the context of the theft.
Option C: Incorrect, Overa is not related to the theft.
Option D: Incorrect, Onimuses is not the correct store name.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1311. What is the title of the prose pamphlet Edmund Spenser wrote in the year 1596?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A View of the Present State of Ireland.

Exam Relevance: GRE Subject Test in Literature, AP English Literature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Edmund Spenser's "A View of the Present State of Ireland" is a significant prose pamphlet from 1596, reflecting his views on Irish governance and society.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse it with other works by Spenser, such as "The Faerie Queene," or conflate it with other pamphlets from the same period.

Explanations: Edmund Spenser wrote "A View of the Present State of Ireland" in 1596 as a prose pamphlet. This work critiques the English administration in Ireland and advocates for reforms. The other options are incorrect because they refer to different works or authors.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Visions of the worlds vanitie" is a poem by Henry Vaughan, not Spenser.
Option B: "The Ruines of Time" is a poem by Sir John Davies, not Spenser.
Option C: "The Visions of Petrarch" is a work by Petrarch, not Spenser.
Option D: Correct. "A View of the Present State of Ireland" is Spenser's 1596 prose pamphlet.

Mnemonic: Spenser's Ireland View in '96.

1312. Read the following sentence Friendship helps people get through hard timesÂ This sentence above is an example of.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Theme.

Exam Relevance: SAT Literature Subject Test, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A theme is a central idea or message in a literary work that explores universal concepts.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the difference between theme and main idea.

Explanations: The sentence expresses a universal concept about friendship, making it a theme.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Plot refers to the sequence of events, not the central idea.
Option B: Character refers to individuals in the story, not the message.
Option C: Main idea is broader and typically for non-fiction.
Option D: Theme is the central idea or message.

Mnemonic: Themes are the heart of the story, they beat with the message.

1313. What does Naga decide to do to reunite with Rani forever?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Decides to change its size and become her tresses.

Exam Relevance: CBSE, ICSE

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The story illustrates themes of love and transformation, where Naga's decision to become Rani's tresses symbolizes eternal unity.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the symbolic nature of Naga's transformation could lead to incorrect choices.

Explanations: Naga transforms into Rani's hair to ensure their eternal union, reflecting a deep, symbolic love.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; killing Rani would not achieve reunion.
Option B: Incorrect; Appanna's death is unrelated.
Option C: Correct; transformation into tresses ensures eternal presence.
Option D: Incorrect; the correct action is explicitly stated.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1314. How many lines does a Shakespearean sonnet have

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) 14.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: A Shakespearean sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and structure.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the number of lines with other poetic forms, such as a sonnet being 14 lines versus a different poem structure.

Explanations: Shakespearean sonnets are structured with 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet. This fixed structure is a defining feature of the form.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 8 lines do not match the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet.
Option B: 10 lines are incorrect; the sonnet has 14 lines.
Option C: 13 lines are also incorrect; the sonnet has 14 lines.
Option D: 14 lines are correct, as this is the defining feature of a Shakespearean sonnet.

Mnemonic: Fourteen lines, just like a sonnet's rhyme.

1315. Which of the following ideas relates to J.L. Austin's performativity theory?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Language is used to indicate action as well as thought.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: J.L. Austin's performativity theory posits that language can perform actions, not just describe them. This means words can be deeds, such as in commands, promises, or declarations.

Common Mistakes: Confusing performativity with other theories like Judith Butler's gender performativity or Mikhail Bakhtin's dialogism.

Explanations: Austin's theory highlights that language is performative, meaning it can accomplish actions. For example, saying "I do" during a wedding performs the action of marriage. This aligns with Option B, which states that language indicates both action and thought.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Austin's theory does not state that performance is the ultimate objective of all human beings.
Option B: Correct. Austin's theory emphasizes that language can perform actions, not just describe them.
Option C: Incorrect. This relates to Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, not Austin's.
Option D: Incorrect. This concept is more aligned with Mikhail Bakhtin's dialogism, not Austin's performativity theory.

Mnemonic: Austin's Acts: Words as Deeds

1316. Which one of these is not a play by Thomas Shadwell ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Spamalot.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Restoration comedies and playwrights.

Common Mistakes: Mistakenly associating "Spamalot" with Restoration drama.

Explanations: Thomas Shadwell wrote "The Virtuoso" and "The Humorist." "Spamalot" is a modern musical unrelated to him.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Virtuoso" is a Shadwell play.
Option B: "The Humorist" is also by Shadwell.
Option C: "Spamalot" is a musical, not a Shadwell play.
Option D: Incorrect, as C is not a Shadwell play.

Mnemonic: Remember: Spamalot is a "Holy Grail" musical, not Restoration.

1317. Which of the following periodicals was written by Dr. Johnson?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) The Rambler

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Samuel Johnson's literary contributions, specifically his periodical writing.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Samuel Johnson with other writers of the period, such as Richard Steele or Joseph Addison, who were associated with "The Tatler" and "The Guardian."

Explanations: Samuel Johnson wrote "The Rambler," a periodical that featured essays on various topics. The other periodicals listed were authored by different writers: "The Tatler" by Richard Steele, "The Englishman" by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, and "The Guardian" by Steele and Joseph Addison.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Tatler" was written by Richard Steele, not Samuel Johnson.
Option B: "The Englishman" was a periodical written by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, not Johnson.
Option C: "The Rambler" was indeed written by Samuel Johnson.
Option D: "The Guardian" was co-authored by Richard Steele and Joseph Addison, not Johnson.

Mnemonic: Rambling with Johnson: "The Rambler" was Johnson's periodical.

1318. Who kills Lord Siward's son?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Macbeth

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character actions and plot progression in Shakespeare's "Macbeth."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Macbeth's actions with those of other characters, such as Duncan or Lennox.

Explanations: In "Macbeth," Macbeth kills Lord Siward's son during the final battle at Dunsinane. This act demonstrates Macbeth's continuing violent and murderous behavior as the play progresses.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Duncan is the king Macbeth kills earlier in the play, not Lord Siward's son.
Option B: Lennox is a nobleman who does not kill Lord Siward's son.
Option C: Macbeth kills Lord Siward's son during the final battle.
Option D: Ross is a nobleman who does not participate in this act.

Mnemonic: Macbeth kills Siward's son in the final showdown.

1319. Whose testimony proved Iago to be the real culprit for Desdemona's death?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Emilia.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In Shakespeare's *Othello*, Emilia's testimony exposes Iago's deceit, leading to his downfall.

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse Cassio or Bianca as the ones who testified, but it was Emilia who revealed Iago's treachery.

Explanations: Emilia discovers Iago's manipulation and testifies against him, proving his guilt in Desdemona's death.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Cassio was manipulated by Iago but did not testify against him.
Option B: Incorrect, as Emilia did provide the testimony.
Option C: Bianca was Cassio's lover and did not testify.
Option D: Emilia discovered Iago's treachery and revealed it, leading to his downfall.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1320. Robert Browning, the master of dramatic monologues, was particularly interested in people, and was able to project himself into their minds and to lay bare their feelings and motives.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Abnormal.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Robert Browning's dramatic monologues often explore the abnormal aspects of human psychology, revealing unconventional thoughts and emotions.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding Browning's focus on psychological complexity as merely realistic or healthy.

Explanations: Browning's work delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of characters, often revealing abnormal or unconventional perspectives. This focus on psychological depth suggests an interest in the abnormal aspects of human nature.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because Browning's work explores complex, often unconventional mental states rather than typical experiences.
Option B: Correct because Browning's characters often exhibit psychological complexities that go beyond normality.
Option C: Incorrect because it is too narrow and medical, not capturing the broader psychological exploration.
Option D: Incorrect because Browning's characters often exhibit complexities that go beyond mere healthiness.

Mnemonic: Browning's Mind: Abnormal Insight

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 88”

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 88”

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