MCQs

English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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2971English LiteratureMedium

Aristotle’s critical work is entitled________?

AArt Poetique

BDe Arte Poetica

CPoetics

DArs Poetica

Correct answer

C. Poetics

Explanation

The correct answer is Poetics.

2972English LiteratureMedium

Why were coffee-houses important in the Restoration?

AThey offered people a private place in which they could plan political revolts.

BBoth A and B

CThey created a space for the exchange of pamphlets.

DThey enabled discussion about important literary texts.

Correct answer

B. Both A and B

Explanation

The correct answer is Both A and B.

2973English LiteratureMedium

Alice Walker’s story, “Everyday Use,” includes which “Womanist” concern?

AThe negative consequences of feminism on the African American family.

BThe importance of men to the African American family.

CThe importance of African religious influence in America.

DThe importance of African American craftsmanship.

Correct answer

A. The negative consequences of feminism on the African American family.

Explanation

The correct answer is The negative consequences of feminism on the African American family..

2974English LiteratureMedium

Fill in the blank. In Shakespeare’s plays, prose is often used in________?

AIambic pentameter

BSerious letters

CCouplets

DRhyming verse

Correct answer

B. Serious letters

Explanation

The correct answer is Serious letters.

2975English LiteratureMedium

During the Revolutionary time period, what great document was written?

AThe Heiner Papers

BThe Declaration of Independence.

CConfessional poetry.

DThe first romance novel.

Correct answer

B. The Declaration of Independence.

Explanation

The correct answer is The Declaration of Independence..

2976English LiteratureMedium

The /t/ in little is an instance of ________?

ANasal plosion

BIncomplete plosion.

CLateral plosion

DAlveolar plosion

Correct answer

C. Lateral plosion

Explanation

The correct answer is Lateral plosion.

2977English LiteratureMedium

Who is King of Scotland at the start of the play, “Macbeth”?

ADuncan

BDonalbain

CMacbeth

DBanquo

Correct answer

A. Duncan

Explanation

The correct answer is Duncan.

2978English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following statements best describes the worldview represented by postmodern theater?

AThe world is a bright and interesting place.

BThe world is so complex that it does not require literature or theater.

CMainstream audiences are so shallow that it is not worth writing plays for them.

DUniversal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves.

Correct answer

D. Universal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves.

Explanation

The correct answer is Universal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves..

2979English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of “Naturalism” as an artistic and literary movement?

ANaturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective.

BNaturalism depicts the more “animalistic” tendencies of humans.

CNaturalism considers the author or artist to be like a scientist.

DNaturalism is a search for scientific certainty.

Correct answer

A. Naturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective.

Explanation

The correct answer is Naturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective..

2980English LiteratureMedium

By which physical affliction was Joyce affected?

Aloss of limb

Bblindness

Cdeafness

Dautism

Correct answer

B. blindness

Explanation

The correct answer is blindness.

Alice Walker’s story, “Everyday Use,” includes which “Womanist” concern?

AThe negative consequences of feminism on the African American family.

BThe importance of men to the African American family.

CThe importance of African religious influence in America.

DThe importance of African American craftsmanship.

Correct answer

A. The negative consequences of feminism on the African American family.

Explanation

The correct answer is The negative consequences of feminism on the African American family..

Which of the following statements best describes the worldview represented by postmodern theater?

AThe world is a bright and interesting place.

BThe world is so complex that it does not require literature or theater.

CMainstream audiences are so shallow that it is not worth writing plays for them.

DUniversal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves.

Correct answer

D. Universal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves.

Explanation

The correct answer is Universal truth doesn’t exist, and audience members must discover truth for themselves..

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of “Naturalism” as an artistic and literary movement?

ANaturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective.

BNaturalism depicts the more “animalistic” tendencies of humans.

CNaturalism considers the author or artist to be like a scientist.

DNaturalism is a search for scientific certainty.

Correct answer

A. Naturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective.

Explanation

The correct answer is Naturalism depicts humans as reasonable and objective..