English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1366. Fill in the blank. The plot of "Venus and Adonis" is based on passages from .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Ovidâ€™s Metamorphoses.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The plot of "Venus and Adonis" is derived from classical mythology, specifically Ovid's Metamorphoses.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the source of classical myths in Shakespeare's works.

Explanations: Shakespeare's "Venus and Adonis" is a retelling of the myth found in Ovid's Metamorphoses, where Venus attempts to seduce Adonis. The other options do not align with the myth's origin.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Bible does not contain the myth of Venus and Adonis.
Option B: Christopher Marlowe's plays are unrelated to this myth.
Option C: Ovid's Metamorphoses is the correct source of the myth.
Option D: It is not based on an early Shakespeare play.

Mnemonic: Ovid's O for Origin

1367. What is pathetic drama?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) A play that focuses upon domestic rather than heroic subjects.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Pathetic drama focuses on domestic subjects and everyday life, emphasizing emotional and personal struggles.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the focus of pathetic drama as being about failure or selfishness rather than domestic themes.

Explanations: Pathetic drama deals with the emotional and domestic lives of ordinary characters, contrasting with heroic or grand themes.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; focus is not on failure but on domestic life.
Option B: Correct; emphasizes domestic over heroic subjects.
Option C: Incorrect; not about selfishness but relatable experiences.
Option D: Incorrect; involves kings and queens, not domestic themes.

Mnemonic: Domestic Drama, Not Heroic

1368. John Lyly's work significantly shaped the writing of which famous writer?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) William Shakespeare.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of literary influences, specifically the impact of John Lyly's writing style on William Shakespeare.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the influence of Lyly with other writers from different literary movements or periods.

Explanations: John Lyly's prose style, known as euphuism, characterized by elaborate language and complex sentence structures, significantly influenced William Shakespeare's early works. Shakespeare adopted and adapted Lyly's stylistic elements, particularly in plays like "Love's Labour's Lost."

Option Analysis:

Option A: William Blake was a Romantic poet, not influenced by Lyly's Elizabethan style.
Option B: William Wordsworth focused on nature and emotion, unrelated to Lyly's prose.
Option C: Samuel Taylor Coleridge, also a Romantic poet, did not draw from Lyly's work.
Option D: William Shakespeare was directly influenced by Lyly's writing style.

Mnemonic: Lyly's Language Led to Shakespeare's Style.

1369. In "Hamlet, " what is Hamletâ€™s uncleâ€™s name?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Claudius.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to recall key characters and their relationships in Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Claudius with other characters like Polonius or Fortinbras.

Explanations: In "Hamlet," Claudius is the brother of the deceased King Hamlet and the uncle of Prince Hamlet. He ascends to the throne after murdering his brother, making him Hamlet's uncle.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Polonius is the father of Ophelia and Laertes, not Hamlet's uncle.
Option B: Claudius is the correct name of Hamlet's uncle.
Option C: Horatio is Hamlet's friend, not his uncle.
Option D: Fortinbras is the prince of Norway, not Hamlet's uncle.

Mnemonic: Remember: "Claudius is the uncle, not Polonius or Fortinbras."

1370. A story set in a real place in the past (like the Great Depression or World War II) with made up, but believable characters.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Historical Fiction

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Historical Fiction combines real historical settings with fictional characters and events.

Common Mistakes: Confusing it with Realistic Fiction, which focuses on contemporary settings.

Explanations: Historical Fiction is set in the past with real places and events, but features fictional characters. This allows authors to explore historical periods through imagined experiences.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Realistic Fiction is set in modern times, not historical periods.
Option B: Fantasy involves imaginary worlds or supernatural elements, which are not present here.
Option C: Biography is about real people's lives, not fictional characters.
Option D: Historical Fiction accurately describes stories set in real historical contexts with made-up characters.

Mnemonic: Historical Fiction: History + Fiction = Real Settings + Made-Up Stories

1371. Shakespeare has written

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) All of these

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Shakespeare's works include comedies, tragedies, and historical plays.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the variety of Shakespeare's genres.

Explanations: Shakespeare wrote in multiple genres. Comedies include "A Midsummer Night's Dream," tragedies include "Hamlet," and historical plays include "Richard III."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Shakespeare wrote comedies, but he also wrote other genres.
Option B: Shakespeare wrote tragedies, but he also wrote other genres.
Option C: Shakespeare wrote historical plays, but he also wrote other genres.
Option D: Shakespeare wrote in all these genres.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1372. This expression first appeared in a dystopia by George Orwell entitled.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) 1984.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, AP English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of George Orwell's works and their themes.

Common Mistakes: Confusing "1984" with "Animal Farm" or mistaking the author for J.R.R. Tolkien.

Explanations: "1984" is a dystopian novel by George Orwell, known for its exploration of totalitarianism and surveillance. The expression in question is famously from this novel.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Animal Farm" is another Orwell novel but deals with animal characters and a different theme.
Option B: "1984" is the correct answer as it is a dystopian novel by George Orwell.
Option C: "The Hobbit" is by J.R.R. Tolkien, unrelated to Orwell's works.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1373. What is a Miracle Play?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A supernatural religious drama.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Miracle plays are a form of medieval drama that depict religious events and often include supernatural elements.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the religious and supernatural focus of miracle plays, confusing them with purely tragic or comedic plays.

Explanations: Miracle plays, also known as mystery plays, are religious dramas that often include supernatural elements to convey Christian teachings. They are not primarily tragedies, comedies, or fictional stories but focus on religious narratives.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Miracle plays are not tragedies; they focus on religious themes, not serious or unhappy events.
Option B: While some elements may be humorous, miracle plays are not classified as comedies.
Option C: Miracle plays are based on religious narratives, not purely fictional stories.
Option D: Correct, as miracle plays are supernatural religious dramas.

Mnemonic: Miracle plays are religious and often include the supernatural, so think "Miracle" for "Miraculous Religious Plays."

1374. Hercules is an example of a .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Myth.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Myths are traditional stories that explain the world and its phenomena, often involving gods and heroes.

Common Mistakes: Confusing myth with legend, fable, or epic.

Explanations: Hercules is a figure from Greek mythology, which fits the definition of a myth. Myths often involve supernatural elements and are used to explain natural phenomena or cultural practices.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Hercules is a figure from Greek mythology, which is a myth.
Option B: Incorrect. A legend is a story about a real person, often with exaggerated elements, but Hercules is a mythological figure.
Option C: Incorrect. A fable is a short story that teaches a moral lesson, often using animals as characters, which does not apply to Hercules.
Option D: Incorrect. An epic is a long narrative poem about heroic deeds, but Hercules is specifically a myth.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1375. What is a kunstleroman?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) An artist's novel of awakening.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A kunstleroman is a novel that focuses on an artist's development and awakening, often detailing their growth and artistic journey.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the term as specific to gender or crime-solving rather than artistic development.

Explanations: The term "kunstleroman" comes from German, meaning "artist's novel." It typically follows an artist's journey of self-discovery and artistic growth, highlighting their struggles and awakenings in their craft.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; the term is not limited to women's intellectual development.
Option B: Correct; it accurately describes the focus on an artist's awakening.
Option C: Incorrect; the artist does not always abandon their art.
Option D: Incorrect; solving a crime is unrelated to the definition.

Mnemonic: Kunstleroman: Artist's Awakening Journey

1376. "Beowulf" is about.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) A warrior fighting monsters.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: "Beowulf" is an Old English epic poem about a warrior who battles monsters.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the main character's role or the types of creatures he faces.

Explanations: The poem focuses on Beowulf's battles with monsters like Grendel and his mother, highlighting his role as a warrior.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because Beowulf is not a king, and the poem is not primarily about fighting dragons.
Option B: Correct because Beowulf is a warrior who fights monsters.
Option C: Incorrect because there are no mermaids in "Beowulf."

Mnemonic: Beowulf battles beasts, not kings or mermaids.

1377. There were contradictory images of womanhood in the Victorian period, particularly as it concerns female sexuality. What were the two poles between which women were often trapped?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Domestic wife and femme fatale.

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE, Cambridge Literature exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Victorian literature often depicted women in contrasting roles, particularly regarding female sexuality.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the cultural context of Victorian gender roles.

Explanations: The Victorian period in English literature often depicted women in contrasting roles, particularly regarding female sexuality. The two main poles were the domestic wife, idealized for her modesty and nurturing qualities, and the femme fatale, portrayed as dangerous and sexually alluring. This duality reflects the societal tensions and expectations of the time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Refers to economic status, not the sexual dichotomy.
Option B: Discusses intellectual traits, less relevant to the sexual archetypes.
Option C: Correct, as it captures the main sexual roles.
Option D: Deals with emotional extremes, not the main sexual archetypes.

Mnemonic: Domestic and Deadly

1378. Dickens'..... aimed at the outrageous costs and delays of the law.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Bleak House

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Charles Dickens' "Bleak House" critiques the inefficiency and corruption of the British legal system through the prolonged case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the themes of Dickens' other novels or confusing the critique of the legal system with other societal issues.

Explanations: "Bleak House" directly addresses the outrageous costs and delays of the law through its depiction of the interminable court case, highlighting Dickens' critique of the legal system's inefficiency.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. "Bleak House" critiques the legal system through the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Option B: Incorrect. "A Tale of Two Cities" focuses on the French Revolution, not legal issues.
Option C: Incorrect. "David Copperfield" is about personal growth and social issues, not the legal system.
Option D: Incorrect. "Nicholas Nickleby" deals with the education system and social reform.

Mnemonic: Bleak House = Bleak Legal System

1379. Dickens gives a tragic picture of the French Revolution in his novel:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A Tale of Two Cities

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of Charles Dickens' novels and their themes, specifically identifying which novel depicts the French Revolution.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the themes of Dickens' novels, especially since several deal with social issues but not the French Revolution.

Explanations: "A Tale of Two Cities" is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, illustrating its tragic consequences through characters like Madame Defarge and Sydney Carton. The novel explores themes of revolution, sacrifice, and duality, making it the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Little Dorrit" focuses on debt and social class, not the French Revolution.
Option B: "Hard Times" critiques industrialization and education, unrelated to the Revolution.
Option C: "Bleak House" examines the legal system and social issues, not the Revolution.
Option D: "A Tale of Two Cities" is set during the French Revolution, making it the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Cities for Chaos: Remember "A Tale of Two Cities" for the chaos of the French Revolution.

1380. ..... gave existentialist philosophy in her novels.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Iris Murdoch.

Exam Relevance: None.

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of authors associated with existentialist philosophy in their literary works.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Iris Murdoch with other authors known for different literary movements or themes.

Explanations: Iris Murdoch's novels often explore existentialist themes, focusing on the human condition, freedom, and the search for meaning. Her works reflect existentialist ideas, making her the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Muriel Spark is known for her wit and social commentary, not existentialist philosophy.
Option B: Margaret Drabble is associated with contemporary social issues, not existentialism.
Option C: Iris Murdoch is recognized for incorporating existentialist themes into her novels.
Option D: Doris Lessing is known for feminist and political themes, not existentialism.

Mnemonic: Iris Murdoch: Mindful of Existentialism.

⬅ Previous SetSet 92Next Set ➡

10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 92”

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 92”

Leave a Reply