English Literature MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for English Literature - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Flannery O’Connor’s story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is a hallmark of Southern Gothic literature, a genre that delves into the dark, grotesque, and morally complex aspects of Southern culture.
• The story examines the paradoxes of grace and moral blindness, particularly in the context of the American South's cultural and religious frameworks.
• The Grandmother’s flawed moral compass and her moment of grace in the face of violence reflect O’Connor’s preoccupation with the themes of redemption and fallibility.
• The Misfit, as a character, serves as a foil to the Grandmother, highlighting the tension between faith, morality, and existential despair.
• Through its Southern Gothic elements, the story critiques societal norms, cultural hypocrisies, and the human condition.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: The story does not glorify southern aristocracy, but instead critiques the moral blindness and self-righteousness often associated with it.
• Option 3: The narrative does not simplify urban-rural divides but portrays complex characters on both sides, exploring moral ambiguities.
• Option 4: Violence is central to the story, serving as a catalyst for spiritual and existential revelation.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Katherine Mansfield’s short story “Miss Brill” is a poignant exploration of the protagonist’s inner world and her fragile, constructed sense of identity.
• The story is set in the early 20th century and illustrates the performative nature of social roles as Miss Brill observes and imagines herself as part of a grand play.
• Through her perspective, Mansfield delves into themes of alienation, loneliness, and the vulnerability of self-perception in an urban environment.
• The protagonist’s emotional journey is marked by a blend of self-delusion and harsh realizations, showcasing how her constructed identity is shattered by external judgments.
• By focusing on Miss Brill’s perspective, Mansfield critically examines the fragility of social and personal constructs in the face of societal indifference.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• The story does not directly address the rise of feminist consciousness (Option 2), colonial encounters (Option 3), or celebrate social harmony (Option 4). Instead, it highlights the dissonance in Miss Brill’s social environment.
• Katherine Mansfield is known for her modernist style, using stream of consciousness and focusing on the psychological depth of her characters.
• The story’s subtle critique of societal alienation resonates with the broader themes of modernist literature during the early 20th century.

The correct answer is Psychological realism through an unreliable narrator whose paranoia manifests the fragility of consciousness.

Key Points

• Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a masterful example of psychological realism, focusing on the inner workings of the narrator's mind.
• The story is narrated by an unreliable character whose paranoia and guilt culminate in a confession of murder.
• Through the narrator’s obsessive and fragmented thoughts, Poe explores the fragility of human consciousness and the impact of guilt on the psyche.
• Rather than presenting a clear and objective perspective, the narrative draws the reader into the disturbed mental state of the protagonist.
• The story emphasizes themes of madness, morality, and the unreliability of perception, hallmarks of psychological realism.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: While Poe’s works sometimes address broader societal themes, “The Tell-Tale Heart” is not an allegory for political revolution.
• Option 3: The story does not follow the structure of a straightforward detective narrative, as it focuses on the murderer’s perspective rather than an investigation.
• Option 4: Romantic idealism of human nature is not a theme in the story, which instead delves into the darker aspects of the human mind.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Charles Dickens’ “The Signalman” is often interpreted as a critique of the alienating effects of industrial modernity on the human psyche.
• The story uses gothic elements and psychological ambiguity to explore the anxieties associated with rapid industrialization during the Victorian era.
• The signalman, isolated in his work environment, represents the dehumanizing and alienating impact of technological advancements on individuals.
• The recurring apparitions in the story symbolize the psychological toll of modernization and its unsettling effects on the human mind.
• By blending gothic and realist elements, Dickens critiques the modern industrial world’s impact on mental health and personal connections.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2 (“The triumph of technological progress”) would contradict the critical tone of the story, as Dickens highlights the darker consequences of industrialization.
• Option 3 (“Victorian class struggle through direct political discourse”) does not align with the story’s focus, which is more psychological and symbolic than directly political.
• Option 4 (“Religious dogma and its social influence”) is not a theme explored in “The Signalman.”

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” subverts traditional genre conventions by using grotesque realism to depict a domestic setting as a site of violence and agency.
• The story portrays a shocking act of murder committed by a seemingly docile housewife, challenging stereotypical perceptions of gender roles.
• Rather than relying on supernatural or romanticized elements, the narrative focuses on the ordinary and mundane, making the crime all the more chilling.
• The domestic space, often viewed as safe and nurturing, becomes a place of tension and subversion, showcasing Dahl’s mastery in blending dark humor and realism.
• This approach allows the story to explore themes of power, betrayal, and agency in unexpected ways.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: The story does not romanticize crime or feature a heroic outlaw figure; the protagonist is an ordinary woman driven to extreme action.
• Option 3: Rather than reproducing patriarchal ideologies, the story challenges traditional gender roles by portraying a woman as both victim and agent of violence.
• Option 4: The narrative is grounded in realism and does not employ supernatural elements to mask the crime.

The correct answer is Auditor of the company must have experience of 10 years

Key Points

• Auditor of the company must have experience of 10 years:
  • This is not mentioned as a mandatory recommendation by the Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee in the passage.
  • The committee focused on board structure, audit committee composition, and meeting frequency, not specific auditor qualifications or years of experience.
  • In the context of financial enterprises, while auditor experience is important for accuracy and compliance, this criterion was not part of SEBI’s mandated governance reforms.
  • Mandatory guidelines emphasize oversight and independence over tenure-based eligibility, promoting transparency and investor confidence through board governance mechanisms rather than focusing on professional experience thresholds.

Additional Information

• Audit committee should contain 3 independent directors with one having financial and accounting knowledge:
  • This is a correct mandatory recommendation according to the committee. It ensures financial expertise and independence in internal control, especially relevant for financial institutions where audit transparency is critical.
• The Board should hold at least 4 meetings in a year with maximum gap of 4 months between 2 meetings to review operational plans:
  • Also a correct mandatory recommendation. Regular board meetings ensure continuous oversight and timely decision-making, vital in fast-changing financial markets.
• Director shall not be a member of more than 10 committees and shall not act as chairman of more than 5 committees across all companies:
  • This is part of the mandatory norms to avoid overcommitment and ensure effective participation. It is crucial in financial enterprises where governance and risk management responsibilities are complex and demanding.

Key Points

• The term "dirge" refers to a mournful or sorrowful song, often associated with funerals or memorials.
• The word "ditty" refers to a short, simple song and is not necessarily sad.
• The term "knell" refers to the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral, but it is not a song.
• The word "lay" refers to a song or a poem, but it does not specifically denote a sad song.

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Ditty" – Refers to a short, simple song, often light-hearted or cheerful in nature.
• Option 2: "Knell" – Refers to the tolling of a bell, especially in a solemn context, but not a song.
• Option 4: "Lay" – Refers to a song or a poem, without a specific connotation of sadness.

Key Points

• In this question, we need to identify a common figure of speech used in the given sentences. The common figure of speech given in options A, C, and D is personification and simile.
• Sentence A ("The wind is roaring") uses personification, attributing a human characteristic (roaring) to the wind.
• Sentence C ("She is as pink as a rose") uses a simile, comparing two things with the word "as".
• Sentence D ("The brook meanders swiftly") uses personification, attributing a human action (meandering) to the brook.
• The common figures of speech in these sentences are personification and simile.
• Therefore, the correct combination is A, C, D.

The correct answer is Corporate Governance

Key Points

• Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee focused on Corporate Governance:
  • The passage clearly states that SEBI set up the committee to promote and raise the standards of good corporate governance.
  • The committee's objective was to develop a code tailored to the Indian corporate environment, ensuring accountability, transparency, and investor protection within corporate structures.
  • Corporate governance involves a set of systems, principles, and processes by which companies are directed and controlled to enhance stakeholder trust and long-term value.
  • For financial enterprises, sound corporate governance ensures operational integrity, promotes investor confidence, and mitigates risk by improving oversight and decision-making structures.

Additional Information

• Investors' Protection:
  • Although investor protection is an indirect goal, the report's direct and central theme was governance frameworks, not specific laws or measures focused solely on protecting investors’ rights.
• Investors and Shareholders Awareness:
  • This is inaccurate because the committee's mandate was not about conducting awareness campaigns or educational efforts for investors, but about improving the governance mechanisms within companies.
• SEBI Guidelines on Market Operations:
  • This option refers to the broader regulatory functions of SEBI concerning market conduct, trading mechanisms, etc. The Birla Committee’s focus was limited to governance issues within companies, not operational market guidelines.

The correct answer is Two categories

Key Points

• Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee's recommendations are divided into two categories:
  • The passage states that the recommendations are categorized into mandatory and non-mandatory guidelines.
  • Mandatory recommendations are binding for listed companies with paid-up capital of ₹3 crore and above, focusing on board composition, audit committees, board meetings, and limits on committee memberships.
  • Non-mandatory recommendations are intended for all listed private and public sector companies, aiming to promote good governance practices but without enforcement obligations.
  • This two-tier structure allows flexibility for smaller firms while ensuring essential governance standards are maintained for larger ones in financial enterprises.

Additional Information

• Three categories:
  • No mention in the passage of recommendations being split into three distinct categories.
  • This would be inaccurate as the text clearly highlights only mandatory and non-mandatory types.
• Four categories:
  • Incorrect assumption. The committee does not subdivide recommendations further into four sections such as audit, board structure, shareholders’ rights, etc.
• Five categories:
  • This is incorrect as there is no evidence or mention in the text supporting five separate recommendation types. The bifurcation is clearly limited to two.

The correct answer is A, B and D

Key Points

• Non-mandatory recommendations were to apply to listed private companies, listed public sector companies, and professionals associated:
  • The passage clearly mentions that these recommendations apply to listed private and public sector companies, along with their directors, management, employees, and professionals associated with them.
  • This ensures that voluntary compliance with governance standards is encouraged not just among large public entities, but also across smaller or privately held listed firms.
  • For financial enterprises, professionals such as auditors, compliance officers, and governance advisors are critical in applying such recommendations and fostering transparency and accountability.
  • Applying these recommendations to a broader range of participants ensures a culture of corporate ethics, especially vital in sectors dealing with public funds and investments.

Additional Information

• Shareholders are not included under non-mandatory recommendations:
  • The passage does not state that shareholders are part of the target audience for non-mandatory recommendations.
  • Shareholders benefit from corporate governance practices, but the application of these recommendations is focused on the internal structure of companies and associated professionals.
  • Therefore, including shareholders in the list is incorrect, making any answer option containing “C” invalid.
• The recommendations aim to improve internal governance rather than investor behavior:
  • While good governance indirectly protects investors, the non-mandatory code is about improving the conduct and structure within corporations, not imposing standards on shareholders themselves.

The correct answer is Postmodernism.

Key Points

• Postmodernism is a movement in literature and art that developed in the mid-20th century, characterized by a departure from modernist ideals.
• It embraces fragmented narrative forms, irony, and playfulness, often questioning traditional narratives and structures.
• Postmodern works often blur the boundaries between high and low culture and challenge the notion of objective reality.
• Authors and artists associated with postmodernism include Thomas Pynchon, Don DeLillo, and Jean Baudrillard.
• Key themes in postmodernism include skepticism, relativism, and the rejection of grand narratives or universal truths.
• Postmodernism often employs techniques such as pastiche, metafiction, and intertextuality to engage with and critique cultural and social norms.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Realism: A literary movement focused on representing everyday life and society with an emphasis on accuracy and truthfulness.
• Modernism: An earlier movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break with traditional forms and techniques, and a focus on new ways of expression.
• Romanticism: A literary and artistic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that emphasized emotion, imagination, and the beauty of the natural world.

The correct answer is The failure of the borrower’s conscience.

Key Points

• In "On Umbrella Morals," Gardiner uses the anecdote of an umbrella lending situation to explore deeper ethical issues.
• He particularly focuses on the moral failure of the borrower, who neglects to return the umbrella, thus betraying the trust of the lender.
• This scenario is used to highlight how seemingly minor actions can reflect significant lapses in personal integrity and conscience.
• Gardiner's examination extends beyond the trivial act of not returning an umbrella, delving into the broader implications of trust and moral responsibility in everyday interactions.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• The naivety of the lender: While this may be a minor point, it is not the primary focus of Gardiner's argument.
• The intricacies of modern-day trust: Although trust is a theme, Gardiner's main concern is the moral failure of the borrower.
• The triviality of minor theft: The essay suggests that even minor thefts have significant moral implications, rather than trivializing them.

The correct answer is B and E only.

Key Points

• The Gothic novel is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance.
• It often uses the medieval form of architecture as a setting, which creates an atmosphere of mystery and terror (statement B).
• The genre aims at evoking chilling terror by exploiting mystery and a variety of horrors (statement E).
• Gothic novels emerged in the 18th century, not the 14th century, and are part of European literature, not specifically American literature.
• While Gothic novels can include baroque elements, they are not defined as a form of baroque art, and they do not focus on mosaic and fresco wall painting.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• The first Gothic novel is generally considered to be Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto," published in 1764.
• Other famous Gothic novelists include Mary Shelley, author of "Frankenstein," and Bram Stoker, author of "Dracula."

The correct answer is White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

Key Points

• White Teeth is a novel by Zadie Smith that explores the lives of two families in London over multiple generations.
• The novel delves into themes of cultural identity, immigration, and the blending of different cultural backgrounds.
• Allusions to "Ghalib" and "Rumi" in the novel symbolize the fusion of cultural identities in a contemporary setting.
• The book is known for its rich characterization and its examination of postcolonial themes.
• White Teeth was critically acclaimed and won several awards, establishing Zadie Smith as a significant literary voice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy: A novel set in Kerala, India, dealing with themes of caste, love, and social discrimination.
• Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie: A magical realist novel that parallels the history of India’s independence and partition.
• The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai: A novel exploring the impact of colonialism and globalization on individuals in India and the US.