MCQs

English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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3131English LiteratureMedium

In ________ year Shakespeare bought the largest house in Stratford, called New place?

A1595

B1597

C1996

D15598

Correct answer

B. 1597

Explanation

The correct answer is 1597.

3132English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following statements best characterizes Langston Hughes’s poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”?

AHughes uses a universal speaker for an exploration of a profound racial divide between blacks and whites.

BSimilar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity.

CThe poem is an indictment of racial prejudice in Harlem.

DThe poem is an analytical exploration of racial differences in the United States.

Correct answer

B. Similar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity.

Explanation

The correct answer is Similar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity..

3133English LiteratureMedium

In “Mont Blanc,” Shelley likens the power of the mountain to the power of human imagination in order to ________?

ADemonstrate the intrinsic connection between imagination and death

BDemonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth

CDemonstrate how the human imagination is fragile

DDemonstrate the power of the French Revolution on the British Romantic consciousness

Correct answer

B. Demonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth

Explanation

The correct answer is Demonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth.

3134English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following natural forces “speaks” in the culminating passage of T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”?

AThunder

BThe west wind

CAn avalanche

DRapids

Correct answer

A. Thunder

Explanation

The correct answer is Thunder.

3135English LiteratureMedium

What was historically significant about Chretien de Troyes Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion?

AHe dropped the supernatural theme found in Arthurian legend.

BHe separated Arthurian legend from tales of courtly love.

CHe was the first to discuss the Knights of the Round Table.

DHe recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre.

Correct answer

D. He recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre.

Explanation

The correct answer is He recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre..

3136English LiteratureMedium

“not of an age, but for all time”-was told about Shakespeare by whom?

AKing Henry

BBen Johnson

CJohn Milton

DMarlowe

Correct answer

B. Ben Johnson

Explanation

The correct answer is Ben Johnson.

3137English LiteratureMedium

Which period of literature came first?

ARegency

BRomantic

CVictorian

DRestoration

Correct answer

D. Restoration

Explanation

The correct answer is Restoration.

3138English LiteratureMedium

According to Max Simon Nordau in his work “Degeneration,” which of the following best describes the term “Fin de Siècle”?

A“A confession and a complaint”

BA term that means nothing except for the signification given to it by the user

C“The impotent despair of a sick man, who feels himself dying by inches in the midst of an eternally living nature blooming insolently forever”

DAll of the above

Correct answer

D. All of the above

Explanation

The correct answer is All of the above.

3139English LiteratureMedium

Which definition below best defines Transcendentalism?

AReason

BDeism, skepticism

CPolitical thinking, philosophical, and social movement

DIndividualism

Correct answer

C. Political thinking, philosophical, and social movement

Explanation

The correct answer is Political thinking, philosophical, and social movement.

3140English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following descriptions of the “Avant-Garde Movement” is false?

AThe term avant-garde itself means “advanced guard,” and the military role of the advanced guard and the role of the avantgarde art movement are much of the same.

BThe avant-garde, a military term meaning “advanced guard,” was founded in France in the mid-19th century.

CThe realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde.

DBoth A and B

Correct answer

C. The realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde.

Explanation

The correct answer is The realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde..

Which of the following statements best characterizes Langston Hughes’s poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”?

AHughes uses a universal speaker for an exploration of a profound racial divide between blacks and whites.

BSimilar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity.

CThe poem is an indictment of racial prejudice in Harlem.

DThe poem is an analytical exploration of racial differences in the United States.

Correct answer

B. Similar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity.

Explanation

The correct answer is Similar to Hart Crane and Whitman, Hughes uses a personal and universal “I” to address issues of history, race, and identity..

In “Mont Blanc,” Shelley likens the power of the mountain to the power of human imagination in order to ________?

ADemonstrate the intrinsic connection between imagination and death

BDemonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth

CDemonstrate how the human imagination is fragile

DDemonstrate the power of the French Revolution on the British Romantic consciousness

Correct answer

B. Demonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth

Explanation

The correct answer is Demonstrate how the human mind comprehends and perceives truth.

What was historically significant about Chretien de Troyes Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion?

AHe dropped the supernatural theme found in Arthurian legend.

BHe separated Arthurian legend from tales of courtly love.

CHe was the first to discuss the Knights of the Round Table.

DHe recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre.

Correct answer

D. He recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre.

Explanation

The correct answer is He recast the history of Arthur into the romance genre..

According to Max Simon Nordau in his work “Degeneration,” which of the following best describes the term “Fin de Siècle”?

A“A confession and a complaint”

BA term that means nothing except for the signification given to it by the user

C“The impotent despair of a sick man, who feels himself dying by inches in the midst of an eternally living nature blooming insolently forever”

DAll of the above

Correct answer

D. All of the above

Explanation

The correct answer is All of the above.

Which of the following descriptions of the “Avant-Garde Movement” is false?

AThe term avant-garde itself means “advanced guard,” and the military role of the advanced guard and the role of the avantgarde art movement are much of the same.

BThe avant-garde, a military term meaning “advanced guard,” was founded in France in the mid-19th century.

CThe realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde.

DBoth A and B

Correct answer

C. The realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde.

Explanation

The correct answer is The realist painter Gustave Courbet never considered himself a member of the avant-garde..