MCQs

English Literature MCQs with Explanations

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3371English LiteratureMedium

________is the school of literary writings is a medical theory?

ATheater of the Absurd

BHeroic Tragedy

CComedy of Humours

DComedy of Manners

Correct answer

C. Comedy of Humours

Explanation

The correct answer is Comedy of Humours.

3372English LiteratureMedium

What poison does Claudius pour into the ear of Hamlet’s father, causing his death?

AHebenon

BBaneberry

CHemlock

DBurdock

Correct answer

A. Hebenon

Explanation

The correct answer is Hebenon.

3373English LiteratureMedium

In the play, “Richard III,” who speaks of “the winter of our discontent” (I.i.1)?

ARichmond

BThe princes

CQueen Elizabeth

DRichard III

Correct answer

D. Richard III

Explanation

The correct answer is Richard III.

3374English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following most accurately describes the relationship between Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Victorian society and its ideals?

ADarwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans.

BAlmost all religious authorities rejected Darwin’s work completely.

CDarwin’s work was almost universally accepted from its first appearance.

DDarwin’s work had little initial influence on Victorian society and culture.

Correct answer

A. Darwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans.

Explanation

The correct answer is Darwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans..

3375English LiteratureMedium

What literary genre is Shakespeare’s “Venus and Adonis”?

AComedy play

BTragedy play

CShort story

DPoetry

Correct answer

D. Poetry

Explanation

The correct answer is Poetry.

3376English LiteratureMedium

What is the difference between traditional literary criticism and post-New Criticism literary theory?

ATraditional literary criticism is mainly focused on exploring gender issues.

BTraditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts.

CTraditional literary criticism attempted to consider the psychological aspects of literary texts.

DTraditional literary criticism only examines pre-20th-century literary texts.

Correct answer

B. Traditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts.

Explanation

The correct answer is Traditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts..

3377English LiteratureMedium

Which of the following poets does Milton emulate?

AHomer

BBoth Virgil and Homer

CNeither Virgil or Homer

DVirgil

Correct answer

B. Both Virgil and Homer

Explanation

The correct answer is Both Virgil and Homer.

3378English LiteratureMedium

What is the main function of literary theory?

ATo understand the role of sexuality, gender, race, and ethnicity in literary study

BTo understand the importance of the formal elements of literary structure

CTo formulate relationships among an author, a reader, and a literary work

DAll of the above answers are correct.

Correct answer

D. All of the above answers are correct.

Explanation

The correct answer is All of the above answers are correct..

3379English LiteratureMedium

With whom is the concept of “claritas” associated?

AAugusta Gregory

BEzra Pound

CThomas Aquinas

DCharles Parnell

Correct answer

C. Thomas Aquinas

Explanation

The correct answer is Thomas Aquinas.

3380English LiteratureMedium

The sweetest music is not in the oratorio, but in________?

AEpic

BHuman voice

CSoulful lyrics

DLyric

Correct answer

B. Human voice

Explanation

The correct answer is Human voice.

Which of the following most accurately describes the relationship between Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Victorian society and its ideals?

ADarwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans.

BAlmost all religious authorities rejected Darwin’s work completely.

CDarwin’s work was almost universally accepted from its first appearance.

DDarwin’s work had little initial influence on Victorian society and culture.

Correct answer

A. Darwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans.

Explanation

The correct answer is Darwin’s work echoed Victorian thought with its emphasis on struggle while disrupting Victorian faith by decentering humans..

What is the difference between traditional literary criticism and post-New Criticism literary theory?

ATraditional literary criticism is mainly focused on exploring gender issues.

BTraditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts.

CTraditional literary criticism attempted to consider the psychological aspects of literary texts.

DTraditional literary criticism only examines pre-20th-century literary texts.

Correct answer

B. Traditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts.

Explanation

The correct answer is Traditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts..

What is the main function of literary theory?

ATo understand the role of sexuality, gender, race, and ethnicity in literary study

BTo understand the importance of the formal elements of literary structure

CTo formulate relationships among an author, a reader, and a literary work

DAll of the above answers are correct.

Correct answer

D. All of the above answers are correct.

Explanation

The correct answer is All of the above answers are correct..