English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1411. Who wrote Stevenson's strange case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde? When?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Robert Louis(1886).

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the author and publication year of a famous literary work.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the author with other writers from the same period.

Explanations: "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886. This novel is a classic example of Victorian literature exploring themes of duality and the struggle between good and evil.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the novel in 1886.
Option B: Incorrect. E.J. Treiawny is not associated with this work.
Option C: Incorrect. Goethe was a German writer, not the author of this novel.
Option D: Incorrect. Thomas Aldrich is not the author of this work.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1412. A true story about another person's life written by another person

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Biography

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT, GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A biography is a factual account of another person's life written by someone else.

Common Mistakes: Confusing biography with autobiography, which is written by the subject themselves.

Explanations: A biography is a non-fictional account of a person's life, written by another person. It is based on research and factual information, making it distinct from other genres like historical fiction or autobiography.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Autobiography is written by the subject themselves, not another person.
Option B: Biography is the correct term for a true story about another person's life written by someone else.
Option C: Historical fiction is a genre of fiction set in the past, not a factual account of someone's life.
Option D: Atlas is a collection of maps, unrelated to biographies.

Mnemonic: Biography: "Bio" means life, and it's about someone else's life.

1413. Ï»¿Which writer(s) is/are associated with mysticism?

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

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Mysticism in English literature involves themes of divine love, contemplation, and spiritual insight.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific contributions of each writer to mysticism.

Explanations: Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, and Julian of Norwich are all associated with mysticism. Rolle's "The Fire of Love" and Hilton's "Scale of Perfection" are key mystical works, while Julian's "Revelations of Divine Love" is one of the earliest surviving mystical texts by an Englishwoman.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Richard Rolle is associated with mysticism through works like "The Fire of Love."
Option B: Walter Hilton is associated with mysticism through works like "Scale of Perfection."
Option C: Julian of Norwich is associated with mysticism through "Revelations of Divine Love."
Option D: All of the Above are correct as they are all associated with mysticism.

Mnemonic: R, W, J for Mystical Trinity

1414. Where was Arms and the Man first performed in 1894?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) London.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The play "Arms and the Man" by George Bernard Shaw was first performed in London in 1894.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be confusing the play with other works by Shaw or thinking it was performed in another major city like Paris or New York.

Explanations: "Arms and the Man" was first performed in London in 1894. This play is a satirical critique of romanticized notions of war and heroism.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The play was first performed in London.
Option B: Incorrect. Paris was not the location of the first performance.
Option C: Incorrect. New York was not the location of the first performance.
Option D: Incorrect. The play was indeed performed in London, so this option is wrong.

Mnemonic: London Lights the Stage for Shaw's Play.

1415. Which of the following best defines sentimentalism?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) An emphasis on the power of sympathy to allow individuals to feel others' pain and joy.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Sentimentalism focuses on the emotional connection between individuals, particularly through sympathy.

Common Mistakes: Confusing sentimentalism with Romanticism or Enlightenment thought.

Explanations: Sentimentalism emphasizes the role of emotions, especially sympathy, in fostering moral understanding and connecting people. It contrasts with Enlightenment rationalism by prioritizing feeling over reason.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; sentimentalism does not reject innate human goodness but often highlights it through emotional bonds.
Option B: Correct; it accurately describes the focus on sympathy in sentimentalism.
Option C: Incorrect; this describes the sublime in Romanticism, not sentimentalism.
Option D: Incorrect; it misrepresents sentimentalism as a parody rather than a genuine emphasis on emotion.

Mnemonic: Sympathy Synergy

1416. Who is the maid in the Petkoff's house?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Louka.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of characters from Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise if students mix up characters from different plays.

Explanations: In Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest," Louka is the maid employed by the Petkoff family. This role is central to the plot as Louka interacts with the main characters and contributes to the comedic elements of the story.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Catherine is a character from Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights," not related to the Petkoff family.
Option B: Louka is the correct maid in the Petkoff household in "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Option C: Eliza is a character from George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion," not associated with the Petkoff family.
Option D: Incorrect, as Louka is the correct answer.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1417. G.B. Shaw gave the speech to.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) To reform the British by ridiculing them.

Exam Relevance: GRE, SAT Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The question tests understanding of G.B. Shaw's intent in his speeches and works, particularly his use of satire to critique British society.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is assuming the speech was about improving English for foreigners or exposing language follies, rather than societal critique.

Explanations: G.B. Shaw's speeches often employed satire to highlight and critique societal issues in Britain. His intent was to provoke thought and encourage reform by exposing the hypocrisies and follies within British society, not to improve language standards for foreigners or focus solely on language follies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Shaw's focus was on societal critique, not improving English for foreigners.
Option B: Correct. Shaw used satire to reform British society by ridiculing its flaws.
Option C: Incorrect. While Shaw exposed societal follies, this option misrepresents his primary intent as language-focused.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is explicitly provided in Option B.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1418. Who named the inn " The Invisible Man " ?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Mr.Marvel.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character aliases and plot details in H.G. Wells' "The Invisible Man."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Mr. Marvel with other characters like Mr. Hall, who runs the inn.

Explanations: In "The Invisible Man," Griffin adopts the name Mr. Marvel after finding a poster. This name is used to establish his identity at the inn.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mr. Hall runs the inn but does not name it.
Option B: Mr. Bunting is a local figure but unrelated to the inn's name.
Option C: Mrs. Hall is Mr. Hall's wife and not involved in naming the inn.
Option D: Mr. Marvel is the alias used by Griffin, the invisible man, who names the inn.

Mnemonic: Marvelous Mr. Marvel named the inn.

1419. In 'Adonais' the poet alludes to the city of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Rome.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The poem 'Adonais' by Percy Bysshe Shelley contains allusions to various historical and cultural references, including cities.

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the allusion with other cities mentioned in Shelley's works or in Romantic poetry in general.

Explanations: Shelley alludes to Rome in 'Adonais' to evoke its historical grandeur and its association with artistic and cultural achievements. This allusion aligns with the poem's themes of death, immortality, and the enduring power of art.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Rome is correctly referenced in 'Adonais' as a symbol of cultural and historical significance.
Option B: London is not mentioned in 'Adonais' and is unrelated to the poem's context.
Option C: Zurich is not referenced in the poem and has no connection to its themes or allusions.
Option D: Paris is not alluded to in 'Adonais' and does not fit the poem's historical or cultural references.

1420. How are Polonius and Laertes related?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Father/son.

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character relationships in Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse Polonius' relationship with other characters, such as Ophelia, who is his daughter, not Laertes.

Explanations: In "Hamlet," Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia. This relationship is clearly established through their interactions and dialogue in the play.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Polonius is Laertes' father.
Option B: Incorrect. Polonius is not Laertes' uncle.
Option C: Incorrect. Polonius and Laertes are not cousins.
Option D: Incorrect. Polonius and Laertes are not brothers.

Mnemonic: Father of Laertes, Polonius, Ophelia too—remember their family ties.

1421. What does Emerson call "the hobgoblin of little minds"? That is, what makes unintelligent people comfortable remaining unintelligent?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Consistency.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the understanding of Emerson's quote and its philosophical meaning.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the quote with other philosophical ideas or not recalling the exact term Emerson used.

Explanations: Emerson's quote "Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" criticizes the fear of inconsistency, which prevents growth and intellectual development. Consistency here refers to rigid adherence to one's views without questioning, which Emerson saw as a limitation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Emerson explicitly refers to consistency as the hobgoblin of little minds.
Option B: Incorrect. Society is not the focus of Emerson's criticism in this quote.
Option C: Incorrect. Cowardice is not mentioned by Emerson in this context.
Option D: Incorrect. Conspiracy is unrelated to Emerson's quote.

Mnemonic: "Consistency keeps minds small."

1422. Gertrude married after her husband's death.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Claudius.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of character relationships in Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing Gertrude's marriage with other characters in the play.

Explanations: In "Hamlet," Gertrude marries Claudius shortly after King Hamlet's death, making Claudius the new king. This marriage is central to the play's conflict.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Claudius is Gertrude's husband after King Hamlet's death.
Option B: Incorrect. Polonius is Gertrude's counselor, not her husband.
Option C: Incorrect. Laertes is Polonius's son, unrelated to Gertrude's marriage.
Option D: Incorrect. Prince Fortinbras is a Norwegian prince and not involved in Gertrude's marriage.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1423. Complete the following sentence. Keats's idea of "negative capability" refers to the idea that:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) The true poet must be comfortable with balancing conflicting ideas.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Negative capability is the ability to embrace uncertainty and doubt without resolving it, allowing poets to balance conflicting ideas.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding negative capability as a lack of understanding or creativity.

Explanations: Keats's negative capability involves the poet's capacity to remain in doubt and uncertainty, embracing conflicting ideas without seeking resolution. This fosters deeper exploration and richer poetic expression.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; negative capability is not about inability to understand poetry.
Option B: Correct; it captures the essence of balancing conflicting ideas.
Option C: Incorrect; it limits the poet to personal experience, contrary to the concept.
Option D: Incorrect; it suggests poetry arises from absence of experience, which is false.

Mnemonic: Negative Capability: Embrace the Mystery.

1424. Which of the following is true about public theaters in Elizabethan England?

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

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Public theaters in Elizabethan England were innovative in their use of admission charges, often oval in shape, and frequently located outside London.

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse public theaters with private ones, which had different characteristics.

Explanations: Public theaters relied on admission charges, a new practice. They were oval-shaped to enhance acoustics and visibility. Many were built outside London to avoid restrictions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Admission charges were an innovation.
Option B: Correct. Theaters were oval-shaped.
Option C: Correct. Located outside London.
Option D: Correct. All statements are true.

Mnemonic: Oval Theaters Outside, Charges Collected (OTOC)

1425. 'Lycidas' is written by -

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) John Milton.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature, A-Level English Literature, Undergraduate Literature Courses.

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of a literary work and its author.

Common Mistakes: Confusion may arise if students mix up poets from different time periods or literary movements.

Explanations: 'Lycidas' is a poem by John Milton, written as an elegy for his friend Edward King. It is a significant work in English literature, known for its classical references and themes of death and immortality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Alexander Pope is known for his satires and philosophical essays, not for writing 'Lycidas'.
Option B: Henry Fielding was a novelist and playwright, not associated with this poem.
Option C: Thomas Hardy was a 19th-20th century novelist and poet, unrelated to 'Lycidas'.
Option D: John Milton is the correct author of 'Lycidas'.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 95”

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 95”

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