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English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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1741English LiteratureMedium

Who introduced in linguistics the concept similar to Saussure’s Langue and Parole?

ALeonard bloom FileD.

BEdward Sapir

CNoam Chomsky

DCharles Sanders Pierce

Correct answer

C. Noam Chomsky

Explanation

The correct answer is Noam Chomsky.

1742English LiteratureMedium

Although Charles Johnson’s Oxherding Tales is based on his Buddhist beliefs, he meant the novel to be a reworking of an American genre, the slave narrative. In what way is the novel, despite its philosophical underpinnings, an exemplar of the slave narrative?

AIts emphasis on Christian ideals.

BIts didactic (teaching) tone of voice.

CIts character’s movement from slavery to freedom.

DThe novel’s sensationalist scenes of violence.

Correct answer

C. Its character’s movement from slavery to freedom.

Explanation

The correct answer is Its character’s movement from slavery to freedom..

1743English LiteratureMedium

What is Faerie Queene?

AAn epic

BA sonnet

CAn allegory

DA ballad

Correct answer

C. An allegory

Explanation

The correct answer is An allegory.

1744English LiteratureMedium

Which poet would be most likely to write about his time in revolutionary France?

ASamuel Taylor Coleridge

BWilliam Wordsworth

CWilliam Blake

DJohn Keats

Correct answer

B. William Wordsworth

Explanation

The correct answer is William Wordsworth.

1745English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following best describes epic theater as defined by Berthold Brecht?

AEpic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer.

BEpic theater privileges feeling over reason.

CEpic theater maintains the illusion of realism.

DEpic theater is plot-driven theater.

Correct answer

A. Epic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer.

Explanation

The correct answer is Epic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer..

1746English LiteratureMedium

In The Purgatorio, the opening of the text resembles which type of poem?

AElegy

BSonnet

CAubade

DOde

Correct answer

C. Aubade

Explanation

The correct answer is Aubade.

1747English LiteratureMedium

In which of the following ways was Dante involved in the Italian politics of his time?

AHe literally fought at the Battle of Campaldino.

BAll of the above

CHe conducted diplomatic missions.

DHe held several positions in the local government.

Correct answer

B. All of the above

Explanation

The correct answer is All of the above.

1748English LiteratureMedium

The period of English literature from 1660to the end of the century is called________?

AJacobean Period

BRestoration Period

CRenaissance

DRomantic Age

Correct answer

B. Restoration Period

Explanation

The correct answer is Restoration Period.

1749English LiteratureMedium

What is the main function of postcolonial criticism?

ATo explain why there are few examples of successful non-Western literature

BTo show the ways in which mostWestern literature is superior

CTo represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized

DTo draw attention to the positive effects of colonization on literature

Correct answer

C. To represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized

Explanation

The correct answer is To represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized.

1750English LiteratureMedium

What statement below best sums up the literary significance of William Bradford?

ANon-Separating puritan

BSeparating puritan

Cboth A and C

DCreated spiritual Diary

Correct answer

C. both A and C

Explanation

The correct answer is both A and C.

Although Charles Johnson’s Oxherding Tales is based on his Buddhist beliefs, he meant the novel to be a reworking of an American genre, the slave narrative. In what way is the novel, despite its philosophical underpinnings, an exemplar of the slave narrative?

AIts emphasis on Christian ideals.

BIts didactic (teaching) tone of voice.

CIts character’s movement from slavery to freedom.

DThe novel’s sensationalist scenes of violence.

Correct answer

C. Its character’s movement from slavery to freedom.

Explanation

The correct answer is Its character’s movement from slavery to freedom..

Which of the following best describes epic theater as defined by Berthold Brecht?

AEpic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer.

BEpic theater privileges feeling over reason.

CEpic theater maintains the illusion of realism.

DEpic theater is plot-driven theater.

Correct answer

A. Epic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer.

Explanation

The correct answer is Epic theater turns the passive spectator into an active observer..

What is the main function of postcolonial criticism?

ATo explain why there are few examples of successful non-Western literature

BTo show the ways in which mostWestern literature is superior

CTo represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized

DTo draw attention to the positive effects of colonization on literature

Correct answer

C. To represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized

Explanation

The correct answer is To represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized.