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English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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1891English LiteratureMedium

Between what time period did William Shakespeare begin a successful career in London as an actor?

Abetween1579 and 1583

Bbetween1580 and 1591

Cbetween1585 and 1592

Dbetween1579 and 1587

Correct answer

C. between1585 and 1592

Explanation

The correct answer is between1585 and 1592.

1892English LiteratureMedium

In Sons and Lovers, Paul Morel’s mother’s name is?

AEmily

BGertrude

CJane

DSusan

Correct answer

B. Gertrude

Explanation

The correct answer is Gertrude.

1893English LiteratureMedium

Complete the following sentence. Matthew Arnold’s poem “Dover Beach” is illustrative of modernist poetry, because it________?

Ahas an undertow of nihilism.

Bis chauvinistic about British “exceptionalism.”

Cemploys free verse.

Dwas composed between WW I and WW II.

Correct answer

A. has an undertow of nihilism.

Explanation

The correct answer is has an undertow of nihilism..

1894English LiteratureMedium

The churchyard of St. Paul’s Cathedral was well-known for its________?

Aruinous condition.

Bgraffiti.

Cperforming bears.

Dbookshops.

Correct answer

D. bookshops.

Explanation

The correct answer is bookshops..

1895English LiteratureMedium

Which Romantic poet died relatively unknown but would become famous posthumously, in the 19th century?

AWilliam Wordsworth

BWilliam Blake

CLord Byron

DSamuel Taylor Coleridge

Correct answer

B. William Blake

Explanation

The correct answer is William Blake.

1896English LiteratureMedium

In “Ode to the West Wind,” why does Shelley ask the wind to “make me thy lyre”?

ATo help him reach the afterlife

BTo help drive his ideas across the universe

CTo help him hear nature’s music

DTo help him start a new revolutionary war

Correct answer

B. To help drive his ideas across the universe

Explanation

The correct answer is To help drive his ideas across the universe.

1897English LiteratureMedium

In De Vulgari Eloquentia, Dante writes primarily in which language?

AItalian

BTuscan

CLatin

DEnglish

Correct answer

C. Latin

Explanation

The correct answer is Latin.

1898English LiteratureMedium

Who was a friend of John Milton?

AAndrew Marvell

BAlexander Pope

CJohn Dryden

DJohn Donne

Correct answer

A. Andrew Marvell

Explanation

The correct answer is Andrew Marvell.

1899English LiteratureMedium

The voiced sound /z/ denoting the plural morpheme in the word ‘dogs’ is an instance of ________assimilation?

ARegressive

Bnone of the abovE

Creciprocal

DProgressive

Correct answer

D. Progressive

Explanation

The correct answer is Progressive.

1900English LiteratureMedium

The book “Zest for life” is written by________?

AKhalid Hosseini

BEmile Zola

CAlexander pope

DLeo Tolstoy

Correct answer

B. Emile Zola

Explanation

The novel Zest for Life (originally titled La Joie de vivre, 1884) was written by the French novelist, journalist, and playwright Émile Zola. It is the twelfth novel in his Rougon-Macquart series and is recognized for its thematic exploration of joy despite suffering. It was translated into English by Jean Stewart.

The book “Zest for life” is written by________?

AKhalid Hosseini

BEmile Zola

CAlexander pope

DLeo Tolstoy

Correct answer

B. Emile Zola

Explanation