English Literature MCQ – Change your future

1471. The poem ends on a

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Philosophical note.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem's ending reflects on deeper themes and ideas, indicating a philosophical tone.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the poem's focus on themes rather than emotions or actions.

Explanations: The poem's ending contemplates deeper themes, such as existence or meaning, which is characteristic of a philosophical note. Other options like happy, courageous, or tragic do not align with the reflective nature of the ending.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The poem does not end on a happy or meaningful note.
Option B: The poem does not end on a courageous or hopeful note.
Option C: The poem does not end on a tragic or painful note.
Option D: The poem ends on a philosophical note, reflecting deeper themes.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1472. Was written by Swift.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) A Tale of a Tub

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the ability to identify literary works with their authors.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing the author of "A Tale of a Tub" with other authors from the same period, such as John Dryden or Daniel Defoe.

Explanations: "A Tale of a Tub" is a satirical work written by Jonathan Swift. It is an early example of his satirical style, published in 1704. The work critiques various aspects of society and the church, showcasing Swift's wit and critical perspective.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "The Way of the World" is a Restoration comedy by William Congreve, not Swift.
Option B: "Robinson Crusoe" is a novel by Daniel Defoe, a contemporary of Swift but a different author.
Option C: "All for Love" is a tragedy by John Dryden, a Restoration playwright.
Option D: "A Tale of a Tub" is correctly attributed to Jonathan Swift.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic provided.

1473. Which of the following novels display postwar nostalgia for past imperial glory?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Paul Scott's Staying On

Exam Relevance: AQA English Literature GCSE

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concept tested is the portrayal of postwar nostalgia for imperial glory in English literature.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the themes of colonial critique with postwar nostalgia.

Explanations: Paul Scott's Staying On is set in the post-independence period of India, focusing on British characters who struggle with the decline of imperial power, reflecting nostalgia for the past glory of the British Empire.

Option Analysis:

Option A: E. M. Forster's A Passage to India deals with British-Indian relations during the colonial period but does not focus on postwar nostalgia.
Option B: Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea critiques colonialism from a Caribbean perspective, not focusing on postwar British nostalgia.
Option C: Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness explores colonialism's impact but does not address postwar nostalgia for imperial glory.
Option D: Paul Scott's Staying On portrays postwar nostalgia through characters struggling with the loss of imperial status in India.

Mnemonic: Scott's Stay for Postwar Sorrow

1474. Who introduced the Italian sonnet to the British Isles during the reign of King Henry VIII?

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

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The introduction of the Italian sonnet to England during Henry VIII's reign involved both Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is attributing the introduction solely to one poet rather than recognizing the collaborative effort of both Wyatt and Surrey.

Explanations: Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, were the primary figures who introduced the Italian sonnet to England during Henry VIII's reign. They adapted the Petrarchan form, which had been popularized in Italy, into English poetry, thus laying the foundation for the development of the English sonnet tradition.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Thomas Wyatt was indeed one of the key figures in introducing the Italian sonnet to England. His translations and adaptations of Petrarchan sonnets were influential in establishing the form in English literature.
Option B: Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was the other key figure alongside Wyatt. He also translated and adapted Italian sonnets, contributing significantly to the development of the English sonnet form.
Option C: John Donne was a prominent metaphysical poet of the 17th century and not associated with the introduction of the Italian sonnet during Henry VIII's reign.
Option D: Both A and B are correct because both Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, were instrumental in introducing the Italian sonnet to England during the specified period.

Mnemonic: Wyatt and Surrey, both great, brought the Italian sonnet to England's gate.

1475. Henry David Thoreau believed that the Mexican War was immoral because it advanced the cause of slavery.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) True.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Henry David Thoreau opposed the Mexican-American War due to its connection with slavery expansion.

Common Mistakes: Believing Thoreau supported the war or was indifferent to its causes.

Explanations: Thoreau viewed the Mexican War as immoral because it aimed to expand U.S. territory, which he associated with the spread of slavery. His essay "Civil Disobedience" reflects his protest against the war.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as Thoreau opposed the war due to its link with slavery.
Option B: Incorrect, as it misrepresents Thoreau's stance on the war.

Mnemonic: Thoreau opposed the war for slavery's sake.

1476. 'Huckleberry Finn' is a novel written by-

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Mark Twain

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests the recognition of the author of a well-known literary work.

Common Mistakes: Confusion between Mark Twain and other American literary figures like Robert Frost or Walt Whitman.

Explanations: Mark Twain is the author of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," a seminal work in American literature. The novel is known for its critique of slavery and its use of vernacular language.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Robert Frost was a poet, not the author of "Huckleberry Finn."
Option B: Emily Dickinson was a poet, not associated with this novel.
Option C: Mark Twain wrote "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
Option D: Walt Whitman was a poet, not the author of this novel.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

1477. The narrator of Langston Hughes's "Weary Blues" is describing:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Blues being played in a Harlem bar.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The poem "Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes describes a scene in a Harlem bar where blues music is being played, capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing the setting with other forms of African American music or settings, such as spirituals or church gatherings.

Explanations: The poem's imagery of a piano player in a dimly lit bar and the emotional expression of the blues music clearly indicate the setting of a Harlem bar. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that celebrated African American music, art, and literature, with Harlem becoming a hub for such expressions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The poem does not describe Negro spirituals in cotton fields; it focuses on urban blues music.
Option B: The setting is not a church, and there is no mention of call-and-response in a congregation.
Option C: The poem does not describe toasting on a street corner but rather the intimate setting of a bar with blues music.
Option D: The poem vividly describes a scene in a Harlem bar with a piano player performing blues music, aligning with the cultural context of the Harlem Renaissance.

Mnemonic: "Harlem Piano Blues" - Remember the setting through the key elements of the poem.

1478. 'Waverley' was written by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Scott.

Exam Relevance: GCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: The question tests knowledge of the authorship of the novel 'Waverley'.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake could be confusing Sir Walter Scott with other novelists like Jane Austen or Charles Dickens.

Explanations: 'Waverley' is a novel written by Sir Walter Scott, a key figure in the development of the historical novel. The other options are incorrect because Jane Austen and Charles Dickens wrote different works.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Sir Walter Scott wrote 'Waverley'.
Option B: Incorrect. Jane Austen wrote 'Pride and Prejudice', not 'Waverley'.
Option C: Incorrect. Charles Dickens wrote 'Oliver Twist', not 'Waverley'.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is listed as Option A.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic.

1479. In The Purgatorio, how does Dante depict the punishment of the proud penitents?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) They are forced to carry heavy rocks on their backs.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The punishment of the proud in Dante's Purgatorio is designed to symbolize the weight of their sin, using physical labor as a form of penance.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the specific sins and their corresponding punishments in Purgatorio can lead to confusion with other sections of the Divine Comedy.

Explanations: In The Purgatorio, Dante assigns specific punishments to each sin to reflect their nature. The proud are made to carry heavy rocks, symbolizing the burden of their vanity and arrogance. This physical labor serves as a form of penance, helping them to recognize and atone for their sin.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This describes the punishment for the wrathful in the Inferno, not the proud in Purgatorio.
Option B: Correct. The rocks symbolize the weight of pride, a fitting punishment for the proud.
Option C: This is a punishment for the envious in the Inferno, not relevant to the proud in Purgatorio.
Option D: Walking through smoke is the punishment for the gluttonous in Purgatorio, not the proud.

Mnemonic: Pride Carries Weight

1480. Is a short speech given by one character keeping his head to one side, traditionally the other characters cannot hear it.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: A) Aside.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: An aside is a dramatic device where a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or intentions that other characters cannot hear.

Common Mistakes: Confusing aside with monologue or soliloquy, which are different dramatic devices.

Explanations: An aside is a short speech where a character turns to the audience, sharing thoughts or intentions that others on stage cannot hear. This device allows the audience insight into the character's mind while maintaining the illusion of the play's reality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. An aside is a direct address to the audience, unheard by other characters.
Option B: Incorrect. A monologue is a longer speech, not necessarily directed to the audience or unheard by others.
Option C: Incorrect. A dramatic foil is a character contrast, not a speech.
Option D: Incorrect. Soliloquy is a speech to oneself, not necessarily to the audience or unheard by others.

Mnemonic: Aside is a side whisper to the audience.

1481. Which seminal work is asserted as the Alpha and the Omega of Deconstruction?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: B) Jacques Derrida's Of Grammatology.

Exam Relevance: None

Difficulty: Very Easy

Concept notes: Deconstruction is a critical approach in literary theory that challenges traditional binary oppositions and emphasizes the instability of meaning. Jacques Derrida's *Of Grammatology* is foundational to this theory.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the origins of deconstruction or confusing it with other literary theories like structuralism or post-structuralism.

Explanations: *Of Grammatology* is considered the seminal work where Derrida introduces key concepts such as differance and the critique of logocentrism, which are central to deconstruction. It is often referred to as the starting point and cornerstone of deconstructive theory.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Christopher Norris's work is a secondary analysis and introduction to deconstruction, not the original text.
Option B: Jacques Derrida's *Of Grammatology* is the foundational text of deconstruction, making it the correct answer.
Option C: M.H. Abrams' work is a critique of deconstruction, not a seminal text.
Option D: J. Hillis Miller's work is an application of deconstructive theory, not its origin.

Mnemonic: "Deconstruction's ABC starts with Derrida's 'Of Grammatology.'"

1482. Who began the tradition of revenge play?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Thomas kyd.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge IGCSE English Literature

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The tradition of revenge plays in English literature began with Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy."

Common Mistakes: Some may confuse Samuel Daniel or George Peele as the originators of revenge plays.

Explanations: Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy" is recognized as the first revenge tragedy in English literature, establishing the genre's conventions. Other playwrights later followed this tradition.

Option Analysis:

Option A: George Peele is known for other plays but not for starting the revenge play tradition.
Option B: Samuel Daniel wrote revenge plays but after Kyd's influence.
Option C: Phineas Fletcher's works also followed Kyd's tradition.
Option D: Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy" is the foundational work of the revenge play genre.

Mnemonic: Kyd's Tragedy Started Revenge Plays (KT SRP)

1483. Jane Austen wrote during this period

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Regency.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Jane Austen wrote during the Regency period, which is associated with her literary works.

Common Mistakes: Confusing the Regency period with the Victorian era or Restoration period.

Explanations: Jane Austen lived and wrote during the Regency period (1811-1820), which is reflected in the settings and themes of her novels.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The Restoration period (late 17th century) is too early for Austen's writing.
Option B: The Victorian era began after Austen's death in 1837.
Option C: Middle English refers to a language period, not a historical era.
Option D: The Regency period aligns with Austen's active writing years.

Mnemonic: "Jane Austen's tales are Regency, not Restoration or Victorian."

1484. The ideological belief of the times changed from Humanism to Puritanism in .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: C) Late Renaissance.

Exam Relevance: AP English Literature, Cambridge Literature Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The transition from Humanism to Puritanism occurred during the Late Renaissance, marked by a shift from secular humanist values to religious piety.

Common Mistakes: Misunderstanding the timeline of ideological movements in the Renaissance period.

Explanations: Humanism flourished during the Early and High Renaissance, focusing on human potential and classical learning. By the Late Renaissance, there was a reaction against these ideals, leading to the rise of Puritanism, which emphasized religious discipline and morality.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Early Renaissance was dominated by Humanism, not Puritanism.
Option B: Renaissance Peak (High Renaissance) continued Humanist ideals.
Option C: Late Renaissance saw the shift to Puritanism.

Mnemonic: "Late Renaissance, Puritanism gains, Humanism fades."

1485. To whom Griffin tells the story of his invisibility?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: D) Dr. Kemp

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

Difficulty: Very Easy

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

Common Mistakes: Students might confuse the characters associated with Griffin's story.

Explanations: In "The Invisible Man," Griffin tells Dr. Kemp about his invisibility experiment. The other options are incorrect as they are not characters from this context.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mr. Marvel is not a character in Griffin's story.
Option B: Mr. Hall is unrelated to Griffin's invisibility.
Option C: Mr. Cuss is not associated with Griffin's tale.
Option D: Dr. Kemp is the correct character who hears Griffin's story.

Mnemonic: No mnemonic

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10 thoughts on “English Literature MCQ - Set 99”

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 99”

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