Explore topic-wise MCQs in English Literature .

This section includes 196 Mcqs, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your English Literature knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

101.

What is the significance of the phrase protecting the heart from Acrene Wisse ?

A. The phrase refers to anchoresses’ responsibility to defend other Christians.
B. The phrase suggests that women should safeguard their spirituality through total withdrawal from the world.
C. The phrase is considered one of the positive effects of prayer.
D. The phrase involves becoming a nunin order to escape the bad influence of men.
Answer» C. The phrase is considered one of the positive effects of prayer.
Discussion
102.

What is the significance of the line: Fate is established! in The Wanderer ?

A. The line describes the optimistic attitude of the speaker.
B. The line suggests that the speaker is comfortably settled.
C. The Wanderer is a poem about fatal endings.
D. The line suggests that fate plays an irrevocable role in human affairs
Answer» E.
Discussion
103.

What is the significance of the dreamer in The Dream of the Rood ?

A. The dreamer functions as an example of the comitatus ethic.
B. The dreamer has a special hope for salvation.
C. The dreamer is a relic from before the Christian conversion.
D. The dreamer is an example of the superstition of paganism.
Answer» C. The dreamer is a relic from before the Christian conversion.
Discussion
104.

What is the significance of Sutton Hoo ?

A. Sutton Hoo provides architectural evidence from a virtually unexplored period of history.
B. Sutton Hoo gives more information about the society that created Beowulf.
C. Sutton Hoo provides insight into the conversion from paganism to Christianity.
D. All of these answers
Answer» E.
Discussion
105.

What is the primary purpose of Chetien de Troye’s medieval romances ?

A. To convert readers to Christianity through positive examples
B. To inform illiterate readers about Arthurian legend
C. To reconcile the hero’s responsibilities in love and wars
D. To sway audiences away from reading tales of courtly love
Answer» D. To sway audiences away from reading tales of courtly love
Discussion
106.

What is the primary focus of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History ?

A. The life of everyday people in the 5th and 6th centuries
B. The conversion of Britain to Christianity
C. The history of Christianity before it reached Britain
D. The spread of Christianity after the Norman Conquest
Answer» C. The history of Christianity before it reached Britain
Discussion
107.

What is “the gender fallacy” ?

A. the problem of a “man writing as a woman”
B. the idea that woman cannot be as educated as men
C. the idea that noble women are more similar to men than peasant women are
D. the notion that chastity is impossible for men
Answer» B. the idea that woman cannot be as educated as men
Discussion
108.

What is the function of Ancrene Wisse ?

A. paradox
B. affective piety
C. imagery
D. pathos
Answer» E.
Discussion
109.

What is the authorship controversy as it relates to Heloise and Abelard ?

A. the critical debate about the verification of events in the letters
B. the idea that Abelard wrote all of the letters
C. the issue of whether there is a “female voice” in the letters
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
110.

What is “scholasticism” as it relates to the medieval era ?

A. a period in which philosophers attempted to reconcile philosophy with religion
B. a period of educational activity
C. a period associated with the Carolingian Renaissance
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
111.

What is problematic about calling Beowulf part of Old English literature ?

A. There is no firm concept of when English literature began.
B. The epic poem is written in a language that is unrecognizable to many English speakers.
C. Danish and German scholars first claimed the poem.
D. There are no English characters in the poem.
Answer» E.
Discussion
112.

What is oral transmission ?

A. a method of communication used solely by the early Church
B. the spreading of material by word of mouth
C. a mode of communication used mainly after the rise of literacy
D. a method of communication that became prominent at the end of the Middle Ages
Answer» C. a mode of communication used mainly after the rise of literacy
Discussion
113.

What is hagiography ?

A. the literary form linked closely with courtly love
B. a method of creating a mystical union
C. a term associated with oral transmission
D. the writing and studying of saints’ lives
Answer» E.
Discussion
114.

What is an anchoress ?

A. a medieval female hermit
B. a woman who rejects the support of the community because she feels it is sexist
C. a male anchorite
D. a religious teacher in the medieval era
Answer» B. a woman who rejects the support of the community because she feels it is sexist
Discussion
115.

What is affective piety ?

A. a term associated with oral transmission
B. an important trait of the medieval lay
C. a literary device used in estates satire
D. a dramatic demonstration of faith
Answer» E.
Discussion
116.

What is a “lay” in medieval literature ?

A. a short lyrical poem
B. a story of a saint’s life
C. a type of book of hours
D. a devotional text used by anchoresses
Answer» C. a type of book of hours
Discussion
117.

What is a lai ?

A. A poem with courtly love as its central theme
B. A short lyrical poem
C. A poem that is usually in octosyllabic couplets
D. All of these answers
Answer» E.
Discussion
118.

What does the term “monasticism” mean ?

A. it describes the importance of communication with others in order to reach salvation
B. it describes a form of worship based on praying to devotional art
C. it describes a way of life that became popular after the Middle Ages
D. Non of these
Answer» B. it describes a form of worship based on praying to devotional art
Discussion
119.

What does Chaucer write concerning the devastating effect of the Black Death upon English social, cultural, and economic life in “The Canterbury Tales” ?

A. Priests died in great numbers.
B. Rent prices increased because of the market boom.
C. The upper classes were burdened by their monopoly of scarce resources.
D. Chaucer wrote no direct descriptions.
Answer» D. Chaucer wrote no direct descriptions.
Discussion
120.

What do most critics believe the “rose” of The Romance of the Rose symbolizes ?

A. justice
B. piety
C. sexuality
D. education
Answer» D. education
Discussion
121.

What do most critics find notable about the virtues that Pizan highlights in her work ?

A. she values reason and activity instead of silence
B. she emphasizes practical rather than theological virtues
C. she does not mention traditional virtues like piety
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
122.

What distinguishes morality plays from mystery plays ?

A. Mystery plays involve Christian themes, whereas morality plays do not.
B. Morality plays involve Christian themes, whereas mystery plays do not.
C. Morality plays were written individually, whereas mystery plays are in cycles.
D. Mystery plays were written individually, whereas morality plays are in cycles.
Answer» D. Mystery plays were written individually, whereas morality plays are in cycles.
Discussion
123.

What are “books of hours ?”

A. popular books before the invention of the printing press
B. books of prayers used at Christian Mass
C. books of information about the history of the Church
D. private books of prayers to be recited throughout the day
Answer» E.
Discussion
124.

To whom were The Lais of Marie de France dedicated ?

A. King Alfred
B. King Arthur
C. King Henry
D. King Richard
Answer» D. King Richard
Discussion
125.

The turbulent years of the 14th century witnessed a blending of language and culture that led to the rise of Middle English. Which of the following events led to the nickname “the era of catastrophes” ?

A. The Hundred Years War
B. The Great Schism
C. The Black Plague
D. All of these answers
Answer» E.
Discussion
126.

“The Second Shepherds’ Play” is part of which play cycle ?

A. Cornish cycle
B. York cycle
C. Roman cycle
D. Wakefield cycle
Answer» E.
Discussion
127.

The home of Chaucer’s royal patron and friend, John of Gaunt, was burned duringthe Peasants’ Revolt of 138. What events led to this revolt ?

A. Government policies were incorrectly based on the idea that the rich would help the poor survive.
B. The high rates of the poll tax were considered unfair.
C. Peasants were jointly united against the pattern of upper-class harassments
D. All of these answers
Answer» E.
Discussion
128.

The Book of the City of Ladies articulates which of the following themes________________?

A. the value of practical virtues over traditional feminine virtues
B. the merit of women
C. the lack of truth in men’s stereotypes about women
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
129.

The Battle of Maldon describes which historical event ?

A. The defeat of the English at the hands of the Vikings in 991
B. The First Crusade in the 11th-century
C. The Second Crusade in the 12thcentury
D. The Norman Conquest in 1066
Answer» B. The First Crusade in the 11th-century
Discussion
130.

The adventure of another lay/Just as it happened, I’ll relay ?

A. The line has obvious rhyme and meter, and the opening words suggest a story of adventure and excitement.
B. The strong alliteration creates rhythm that accentuates the adventurous spirit.
C. The line seems to frame a story with plot complications.
D. The line alludes to a poem with religious undertones.
Answer» B. The strong alliteration creates rhythm that accentuates the adventurous spirit.
Discussion
131.

Pride in one’s accomplishments was important to the Anglo-Saxon thegn. If so, why does Hrothgar say in Beowulf: do not give way to pride ?

A. Hrothgar believes it is important to stay focused on revenge.
B. Pride is one of the deadly sins.
C. Pride causes one to appear immodest.
D. Extreme pride can cause one to be overly secure and make mistakes.
Answer» E.
Discussion
132.

Kempe’s acts of devotion included_________________?

A. meditation
B. wearing white clothing
C. weeping
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
133.

In Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion, what is the significance of trouthe ?

A. Trouthe represents the supernatural aspects of the medieval romance.
B. Trouthe alludes to the British conversion from paganism to Christianity.
C. Trouthe emphasizes the positive side of feudalism.
D. Trouthe suggests the imminent return to a pre-feudal social organization.
Answer» D. Trouthe suggests the imminent return to a pre-feudal social organization.
Discussion
134.

In what centuries did mystical women writers primarily work ?

A. 8th and 9th centuries
B. 9th and 10th centuries
C. 10th and 11th centuries
D. 14th and 15th centuries
Answer» E.
Discussion
135.

In “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” what is the significance of “barley bread” ?

A. Barley bread provides an example of medieval estates satire.
B. Barley bread represents the wife’s answer to the belief that virginity is superior to marriage.
C. Barley bread suggests the heroine’s state as a fallen woman.
D. Barley bread signifies Chaucer’s use of alliterative verse.
Answer» C. Barley bread suggests the heroine’s state as a fallen woman.
Discussion
136.

In “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” what does Alisoun say women want most ?

A. freedom
B. love
C. education
D. chastity
Answer» B. love
Discussion
137.

In The Wanderer, what is the speaker’s primary conflict ?

A. The desire to travel in search of wisdom with the social conventions
B. The folly of earthly things with the wisdom of heaven
C. The speaker’s spiritual regression with the increasing trend of Christian conversions
D. The desire for a more advanced world with stagnant social progress
Answer» C. The speaker’s spiritual regression with the increasing trend of Christian conversions
Discussion
138.

In The Romance of the Rose, which text does Guillaume de Lorris cite as his inspiration ?

A. The Book of Margery Kempe
B. “Revelations of Divine Love”
C. “The Wooing of Our Lord”
D. The Art of Courtly Love
Answer» E.
Discussion
139.

In the Middle Ages, which class of people was most likely to be literate ?

A. monks
B. working class women
C. working class men
D. peasants
Answer» B. working class women
Discussion
140.

In the Middle Ages, what was the status of a married woman in relation to her husband ?

A. she was considered her husband’s property
B. she was considered equal to her husband
C. she was more legally powerful than her husband
D. she was her husband’s property, but could not be mistreated under law
Answer» B. she was considered equal to her husband
Discussion
141.

In the Middle Ages, how did society treat prostitution ?

A. prostitution was considered problematic but legal
B. the Church opposed prostitution on moral grounds
C. prostitution was considered a solution to epidemics of rape
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
142.

In the Middle Ages, nuns also performed which of the following roles ?

A. teachers
B. scribes
C. authors
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
143.

In the Middle Ages, how did religious and secular concepts of virginity differ ?

A. secular authorities said that virginity was unimportant, while the Church highly valued it
B. the Church said that virginity was unimportant, while the secular authorities highly valued it
C. secular authorities said that virginity was an ethereal treasure, while religious doctrines said it was spendable
D. religious doctrines said that virginity was an ethereal treasure, while secular authorities said it was spendable
Answer» E.
Discussion
144.

In the Middle Ages, how did divorce laws differ for the sexes ?

A. both sexes could legally divorce
B. only women could legally divorce
C. only men could legally divorce
D. both sexes could divorce only with the other’s consent
Answer» D. both sexes could divorce only with the other’s consent
Discussion
145.

In the medieval Church, devotional acts _______________?

A. cancelled out punishment due to sin
B. depended entirely on literacy
C. were considered “unimportant” by mystics
D. were only performed by men
Answer» B. depended entirely on literacy
Discussion
146.

In the Medieval era, women most commonly worked as ______________?

A. retailers
B. domestic servants
C. spinners
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion
147.

In the first decades after the Norman Conquest, which of the following best describes the use of language in England ?

A. The conquered English quickly studied French.
B. The French conquerors learned English in order to be able to govern well.
C. Latin became a common language for interaction between the two groups.
D. Most of the English population went on speaking English with French used mostly among the upper-ruling class.
Answer» E.
Discussion
148.

In the context of Medieval literature, what does the term “mystical marriage” mean ?

A. it is a union supported by the Church
B. it is a union between anchorites
C. it is a mystical union between two people
D. it is a spiritual union with God
Answer» E.
Discussion
149.

In the context of Medieval literature, what does “outer rule” mean ?

A. it includes issues that pertain to the heart
B. it refers to anchoress’ everyday behavior
C. it is part of the anchoress’ inner self
D. it is the most important part of Ancrene Wisse
Answer» C. it is part of the anchoress’ inner self
Discussion
150.

In the context of Medieval literature, what does “inner rule” mean ?

A. it includes issues that pertain to the heart
B. it is part of the anchoress’ inner self
C. it is the most important part of Ancrene Wisse
D. All of the Above
Answer» E.
Discussion