English Literature MCQs with explanations

Question 1

According to Longinus, there are ________principle sources of sublime.

Accepted Answer

Five

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Both A and B

Question 3

The name “Ars Poetica” (Art of Poetry) was given to Horace’s Epistle to the Pisos by________?

Accepted Answer

Quintillion

Question 4

In “Macbeth,” where is Macduff when he learns of his family’s execution?

Accepted Answer

England

Question 5

The farmer drove his plough-share deep “Whose bones are these?” said he, “I find them where my browsing sheep Roam o’er the upland lea.” What does “lea” mean? Veldu eitt?

Accepted Answer

Meadow or pastureland

Question 6

With which important literary figure(s) was Joyce in contact in his lifetime?

Accepted Answer

All of the Above

Question 7

’Book 1’ of ’Paradise Lost’ presents Satan with his angels fallen into Hell. When recovered, Satan awakens all his legions and speaks to them. The first he addresses is described as ’one next to himself in power, and next in crime, long after known in Palestine’. What’s the name of this fallen angel?

Accepted Answer

Beelzebub

Question 8

Which author relied on complex characters and dialect to overturn American stereotypes about Southern African Americans?

Accepted Answer

Charles Chesnutt

Question 9

Which of the following statements would Percy Shelley, author of “A Defense of Poetry”, agree with?

Accepted Answer

Artists serve to construct the foundations of culture.

Question 10

In addition to Geoffrey Chaucer and William Langland, the “flowering”of Middle English literature is evident in the works of which of the following writers?

Accepted Answer

the Gawain poet

English Literature MCQs with Explanations