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English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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1811English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following statements regarding Oscar Wilde is false?

AHe was notorious for his use of paradox.

BHis career ended when he was jailed for criminal “gross indecency.”

CHe believed that art should be something more than the reproduction and appreciation of the natural world.

DWilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”

Correct answer

D. Wilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”

Explanation

The correct answer is Wilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”.

1812English LiteratureMedium

Who is Eliza’s mother?

AMrs.Shelby

BMrs.Legree

CCassy

DAunt Chole

Correct answer

C. Cassy

Explanation

The correct answer is Cassy.

1813English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following statements best represents the main theme of Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”?

AThe world can be fully understood if people listen closely to what others are saying.

BPeople are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence.

CGood things, including salvation, come to those who are patient.

DRedemption comes from surrendering to a higher power.

Correct answer

B. People are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence.

Explanation

The correct answer is People are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence..

1814English LiteratureMedium

In which year the play of Christopher Marlow The Jew of Malta first performed?

A1601

B1587

C1592

D1597

Correct answer

C. 1592

Explanation

The correct answer is 1592.

1815English LiteratureMedium

The foundation story of what poem is the Genesis account of the Creation of the world and of Adam and Eve, culminating in the drama of their temptation and fall?

A“The Prelude”

B“The Faerie Queen”

C“Canterbury Tales”

D“Paradise Lost”

Correct answer

D. “Paradise Lost”

Explanation

The correct answer is “Paradise Lost”.

1816English LiteratureMedium

What does Ben Jonson mean by a ‘Humorous Character’?

AA character who is always cheerful and gay

BA character who is by nature melancholy

CAn eccentric person

DA character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body

Correct answer

D. A character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body

Explanation

The correct answer is A character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body.

1817English LiteratureMedium

Unmoved – she notes the Chariots – pausing – At her low Gate – Unmoved – an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat – I’ve known her – from an ample nation – Then – close the Valves of her attention – Like Stone – What does ample mean?

AFearful and gracious

BLarge or abundant

CMenacing

DBeautiful

Correct answer

B. Large or abundant

Explanation

The correct answer is Large or abundant.

1818English LiteratureMedium

As a result of the outbreak of World War I and anti-German sentiment which important British public figure had to adopt the family name of Windsor?

AKing James II

BThe Suffragette Emmeline Pankhust

CKing Edward VII

DKing George V

Correct answer

D. King George V

Explanation

The correct answer is King George V.

1819English LiteratureMedium

What is a funny poem of five lines called ________?

APalindrome

BSextet

CLimerick

DQuartet

Correct answer

C. Limerick

Explanation

The correct answer is Limerick.

1820English LiteratureMedium

one of Chaucer’s daughter was________?

Anone of the above

Ba nun

Can astronomer

Da musician

Correct answer

B. a nun

Explanation

The correct answer is a nun.

Which of the following statements regarding Oscar Wilde is false?

AHe was notorious for his use of paradox.

BHis career ended when he was jailed for criminal “gross indecency.”

CHe believed that art should be something more than the reproduction and appreciation of the natural world.

DWilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”

Correct answer

D. Wilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”

Explanation

The correct answer is Wilde was the author of such poems as “Bénédiction,” “L’Albatros,” and “élévation.”.

Which of the following statements best represents the main theme of Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”?

AThe world can be fully understood if people listen closely to what others are saying.

BPeople are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence.

CGood things, including salvation, come to those who are patient.

DRedemption comes from surrendering to a higher power.

Correct answer

B. People are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence.

Explanation

The correct answer is People are fundamentally unable to realize any sort of inherent meaning in existence..

What does Ben Jonson mean by a ‘Humorous Character’?

AA character who is always cheerful and gay

BA character who is by nature melancholy

CAn eccentric person

DA character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body

Correct answer

D. A character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body

Explanation

The correct answer is A character whose temper is determined by the predominance of one out of the four fluids in the human body.