English Literature Quiz. English Literature helps students understand life, culture, and human behavior through novels, plays, and poems. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of drama, prose, poetry, and literary terms. Answer the questions first before checking the answers at the end to assess your performance.
English Literature Quiz (20 Questions)
1. Which genre of literature is written in verse form?
A. Prose
B. Drama
C. Poetry
D. Essay
2. The main character in a literary work is called the:
A. Antagonist
B. Protagonist
C. Narrator
D. Editor
3. A story that teaches a moral lesson is called a:
A. Novel
B. Fable
C. Drama
D. Epic
4. Who writes plays?
A. Poet
B. Novelist
C. Dramatist
D. Editor
5. A poem that expresses strong personal feelings is called a:
A. Ballad
B. Lyric
C. Epic
D. Ode
English Literature Quiz
6. The character who opposes the hero is known as the:
A. Protagonist
B. Antagonist
C. Narrator
D. Hero
7. A long narrative poem about heroic deeds is called an:
A. Ode
B. Sonnet
C. Epic
D. Lyric
8. The person who tells a story is the:
A. Author
B. Narrator
C. Editor
D. Reader
9. A comparison using “like” or “as” is called:
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Irony
D. Personification
10. A story based on imagination rather than facts is:
A. Non-fiction
B. Biography
C. Fiction
D. Autobiography
English Literature Quiz
11. A play with a sad ending is called a:
A. Comedy
B. Tragedy
C. Farce
D. Satire
12. The turning point of a story is known as the:
A. Introduction
B. Climax
C. Resolution
D. Theme
13. Giving human qualities to non-living things is called:
A. Hyperbole
B. Irony
C. Personification
D. Metaphor
14. The central message of a literary work is called the:
A. Plot
B. Setting
C. Theme
D. Character
15. A poem of fourteen lines is called a:
A. Ballad
B. Sonnet
C. Ode
D. Epic
English Literature Quiz
16. The time and place of a story is known as the:
A. Plot
B. Theme
C. Setting
D. Conflict
17. A novel that tells the story of someone’s life is a:
A. Drama
B. Biography
C. Fiction
D. Essay
18. Words that appeal to the five senses are called:
A. Imagery
B. Rhythm
C. Rhyme
D. Mood
19. A humorous play meant to entertain is called a:
A. Tragedy
B. Comedy
C. Epic
D. Tragedy-comedy
20. Exaggeration for emphasis is known as:
A. Irony
B. Metaphor
C. Hyperbole
D. Simile
English Literature Quiz Answers with Explanations
1. C – Poetry
Poetry is written in verse and often uses rhythm and rhyme.
2. B – Protagonist
The protagonist is the main character in a story.
3. B – Fable
A fable teaches moral lessons, often using animals.
4. C – Dramatist
A dramatist writes plays.
5. B – Lyric
Lyric poems express personal emotions and feelings.
6. B – Antagonist
The antagonist opposes the hero.
7. C – Epic
An epic is a long poem about heroes.
8. B – Narrator
The narrator tells the story.
9. B – Simile
A simile compares using “like” or “as”.
10. C – Fiction
Fiction is imaginary writing.
11. B – Tragedy
A tragedy ends sadly.
12. B – Climax
The climax is the turning point.
13. C – Personification
It gives human qualities to objects.
14. C – Theme
Theme is the main message.
15. B – Sonnet
A sonnet has 14 lines.
16. C – Setting
Setting shows where and when the story happens.
17. B – Biography
A biography tells someone’s life story.
18. A – Imagery
Imagery appeals to the senses.
19. B – Comedy
Comedy is meant to make people laugh.
20. C – Hyperbole
Hyperbole means exaggeration.
English Literature Quiz (Advance Level)
Questions
1. When an object consistently represents an abstract idea throughout a novel, it is called:
A. Metonymy
B. Allegory
C. Motif
D. Symbolism
2. A character who changes internally but not socially is best described as:
A. Static
B. Flat
C. Dynamic
D. Round
3. An unreliable narrator mainly challenges readers by:
A. Hiding major events
B. Distorting truth and perception
C. Reducing emotional depth
D. Eliminating suspense
4. A story told within another story is known as:
A. Episodic narrative
B. Circular plot
C. Frame narrative
D. Parallel structure
5. Dramatic irony is most effective when:
A. The narrator explains the ending
B. The audience knows more than characters
C. Characters predict the outcome
D. Events occur suddenly
6. A conflict within a character’s mind is classified as:
A. Man vs Man
B. Man vs Nature
C. Man vs Society
D. Man vs Self
7. Foreshadowing is mainly used to:
A. Lengthen the story
B. Create confusion
C. Prepare readers for future events
D. Reduce suspense
8. When setting reflects a character’s emotional state, it is called:
A. Pathetic fallacy
B. Hyperbole
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Euphemism
9. Stream-of-consciousness writing attempts to imitate:
A. Logical argument
B. Historical narration
C. Human thought patterns
D. Public speeches
10. A tragic hero usually possesses:
A. Perfect morality
B. Absolute power
C. A tragic flaw
D. Comic traits
11. An anti-hero differs from a traditional hero because he:
A. Is always evil
B. Lacks conventional heroic qualities
C. Never succeeds
D. Avoids conflict
12. Minor characters mainly function to:
A. Replace protagonists
B. Develop major characters and plot
C. Slow the narrative
D. Provide unrelated stories
13. Symbolism in poetry mainly serves to:
A. Increase rhyme
B. Reduce complexity
C. Add deeper layers of meaning
D. Simplify language
14. A soliloquy in drama is used to:
A. Address the audience directly
B. Reveal inner thoughts
C. Narrate past events
D. Introduce characters
15. Satire is best described as:
A. Emotional writing
B. Serious tragedy
C. Humorous criticism of society
D. Romantic expression
16. Tone in literature refers to the writer’s:
A. Vocabulary
B. Sentence length
C. Attitude toward the subject
D. Plot structure
17. The difference between mood and atmosphere is that mood refers to:
A. The writer’s intention
B. The reader’s emotional response
C. The setting’s design
D. Character behaviour
18. An ambiguous ending mainly encourages readers to:
A. Ignore the story
B. Accept confusion
C. Interpret meaning personally
D. Focus on grammar
19. Point of view influences a story by shaping:
A. Sentence length
B. Reader’s trust and understanding
C. Printing style
D. Page layout
20. Flashbacks are used primarily to:
A. Delay action
B. Explain background and motives
C. Create humour
D. End chapters
21. Imagery appeals mainly to the reader’s:
A. Logic
B. Memory
C. Senses
D. Morality
22. An allegory differs from symbolism because it:
A. Uses only images
B. Represents a complete moral system
C. Avoids hidden meaning
D. Focuses on rhyme
23. A lyrical poem is characterized by:
A. Long narrative
B. Personal emotion and musical quality
C. Dramatic dialogue
D. Historical facts
24. Writers use open endings mostly to:
A. Reduce writing effort
B. Confuse examiners
C. Encourage reflection and debate
D. Shorten books
25. Cultural background influences literature mainly through:
A. Printing methods
B. Language rules
C. Themes, values, and perspectives
D. Page numbering
Answers and Short Explanations
1. D — Symbolism
It uses objects to represent deeper abstract ideas.
2. C — Dynamic
Dynamic characters change internally during the story.
3. B — Distorting truth and perception
They present biased or false versions of events.
4. C — Frame narrative
A story is told inside another story.
5. B — The audience knows more than characters
This creates tension and emotional impact.
6. D — Man vs Self
It involves inner struggles and moral conflict.
7. C — Prepare readers for future events
It gives hints about what will happen later.
8. A — Pathetic fallacy
Nature reflects human emotions.
9. C — Human thought patterns
It imitates natural thinking processes.
10. C — A tragic flaw
This flaw leads to the hero’s downfall.
11. B — Lacks conventional heroic qualities
Anti-heroes are flawed and imperfect.
12. B — Develop major characters and plot
They support the main storyline.
13. C — Add deeper layers of meaning
Symbols go beyond literal interpretation.
14. B — Reveal inner thoughts
It shows what a character is thinking privately.
15. C — Humorous criticism of society
Satire uses humour to expose problems.
16. C — Attitude toward the subject
Tone reflects how the writer feels.
17. B — The reader’s emotional response
Mood affects how readers feel.
18. C — Interpret meaning personally
Readers decide the ending’s meaning.
19. B — Reader’s trust and understanding
Point of view shapes perception.
20. B — Explain background and motives
They reveal past events.
21. C — Senses
Imagery appeals to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
22. B — Represents a complete moral system
Allegory carries extended symbolic meaning.
23. B — Personal emotion and musical quality
Lyrical poems express feelings.
24. C — Encourage reflection and debate
They make readers think further.
25. C — Themes, values, and perspectives
Culture shapes ideas and viewpoints.
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