MCQs

English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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2011English LiteratureMedium

In which circle would Dante place someone who committed suicide?

AThe circle of wrath

BThe circle of heresy

CThe circle of treachery

DThe circle of violence

Correct answer

D. The circle of violence

Explanation

The correct answer is The circle of violence.

2012English LiteratureMedium

Which book of John Ruskin influenced Mahatma Gandhi?

ASesame and Lilies

BUnto This Last

CFors Clavigera

DThe Seven Lamps of Architecture

Correct answer

B. Unto This Last

Explanation

The correct answer is Unto This Last.

2013English LiteratureMedium

What does gynocriticism recommend as an approach to literature?

AConsidering women’s literature outside of its historical context

BExamining only female-authored literature more critically

CBecoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing

DAll of the above answers are correct.

Correct answer

C. Becoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing

Explanation

The correct answer is Becoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing.

2014English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following lines provides an example of a poetic apostrophe?

A“She is a woman of beauty and wonder.”

B“I wandered lonely as a cloud.”

C“Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”

D“Death, that which feels nothing.”

Correct answer

C. “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”

Explanation

The correct answer is “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”.

2015English LiteratureMedium

The group of four plays known as the “major tetralogy” is?

A1 Henry VI, 2 Henry VI, 3 Henry VI, Richard III

BRichard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V

CRichard III, King John, Henry VIII, 1 Henry VI

DKing John, Henry V, Richard II, Richard III

Correct answer

B. Richard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V

Explanation

The correct answer is Richard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V.

2016English LiteratureMedium

Professor Hammer argues that in Hart Crane’s poem “Legend,” Crane introduces himself to his readers. The poem opens with the lines: “As silent as a mirror is believed/ Realities plunge in silence by.../I am not ready for repentance;” according to Professor Hammer, Crane’s refusal to repent is an assertion of which of the following?

AHis political views

BHis will to sexual freedom

CBoth B and C

DHis will to imaginative freedom

Correct answer

C. Both B and C

Explanation

The correct answer is Both B and C.

2017English LiteratureMedium

What literary work best captures a sense of the political turmoil, particularly regarding the issue of religion, just after the Restoration?

APope’s Dunciad

BGay’s Beggar’s Opera

CButler’s Hudibras

DFielding’s Jonathan Wild

Correct answer

A. Pope’s Dunciad

Explanation

The correct answer is Pope’s Dunciad.

2018English LiteratureMedium

The play, “Richard III,” takes place in what country?

AEngland

BNorway

CFrance

DGreece

Correct answer

A. England

Explanation

The correct answer is England.

2019English LiteratureMedium

Longinus asserts that nothing contributes more to loftiness of tone in writing than ________?

AGenuine Emotion

BGrandeur Thought

CSplendour Style

DImpassioned Utterance

Correct answer

A. Genuine Emotion

Explanation

The correct answer is Genuine Emotion.

2020English LiteratureMedium

At the end of the play, “Twelfth Night,” who is discovered to have been secretly married?

AViola and Orsino

BViola and Sir Toby

CSir Toby and Maria

DMalvio and Maria

Correct answer

C. Sir Toby and Maria

Explanation

The correct answer is Sir Toby and Maria.

What does gynocriticism recommend as an approach to literature?

AConsidering women’s literature outside of its historical context

BExamining only female-authored literature more critically

CBecoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing

DAll of the above answers are correct.

Correct answer

C. Becoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing

Explanation

The correct answer is Becoming more familiar with the history of women and women’s writing.

Which of the following lines provides an example of a poetic apostrophe?

A“She is a woman of beauty and wonder.”

B“I wandered lonely as a cloud.”

C“Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”

D“Death, that which feels nothing.”

Correct answer

C. “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”

Explanation

The correct answer is “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”.

The group of four plays known as the “major tetralogy” is?

A1 Henry VI, 2 Henry VI, 3 Henry VI, Richard III

BRichard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V

CRichard III, King John, Henry VIII, 1 Henry VI

DKing John, Henry V, Richard II, Richard III

Correct answer

B. Richard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V

Explanation

The correct answer is Richard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V.