Key Literary Terms MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Key Literary Terms - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Sonnet.

Key Points

• A sonnet is a 14-line poem that is typically written in iambic pentameter.
• It often explores themes of love, nature, and other profound subjects.
• The sonnet form originated in Italy and was later popularized by poets such as Shakespeare in English literature.
• There are different types of sonnets, including the Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet and the Shakespearean (English) sonnet, each with its own specific structure and rhyme scheme.
• The Shakespearean sonnet, for example, consists of three quatrains followed by a couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Haiku: A traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, often focusing on nature and moments of beauty or insight.
• Ballad: A narrative poem that tells a story, often set to music and characterized by simple language and a repetitive structure.
• Epic: A long narrative poem that often deals with heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation, such as Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey."

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.

The correct answer is Opera.

Key Points

• Opera is a form of drama that combines music, singing, and sometimes dance to tell a story and evoke emotional responses from the audience.
• It originated in Italy in the late 16th century and evolved significantly over the centuries.
• Composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giacomo Puccini are renowned for their operatic works, which are considered masterpieces of the genre.
• Mozart's operas, such as "The Magic Flute" and "Don Giovanni," are celebrated for their complex characters and beautiful music.
• Puccini's operas, including "La Bohème" and "Madama Butterfly," are known for their emotional intensity and memorable arias.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Tragedy: A genre of drama that focuses on serious and often somber themes, typically involving a protagonist's downfall.
• Comedy: A genre of drama characterized by humor and often a happy ending.
• Farce: A subgenre of comedy that relies on exaggerated and improbable situations for humorous effect.

The correct answer is Climax.

Key Points

• In the context of short stories, the term "climax" refers to the moment when the plot reaches its point of greatest intensity.
• The climax is often the turning point of the story, where the main conflict comes to a head, and the protagonist faces the ultimate challenge.
• It is a crucial part of the narrative structure, leading to the resolution of the story's central conflict.
• The climax typically occurs after the rising action and before the falling action or denouement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Denouement: This term refers to the final part of a story, where the strands of the plot are drawn together, and matters are explained or resolved.
• Exposition: This is the introduction of the story, where characters, setting, and the basic situation are established.
• Rising action: This part of the story includes events that create suspense, interest, and tension, leading up to the climax.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The Spenserian sonnet is a unique form of sonnet named after the English poet Edmund Spenser.
• It consists of 14 lines, following the specific rhyme scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE.
• This rhyme scheme links the quatrains together, creating a more interwoven and intricate structure compared to the Shakespearean sonnet.
• The final rhymed couplet (EE) often serves to summarize the theme or present a twist.
• This structure allows for a more complex interplay of rhymes and ideas within the poem.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2 (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG) is not a recognized sonnet structure.
• Option 3 (ABBA ABBA CDE CDE) is the rhyme scheme of a Petrarchan or Italian sonnet.
• Option 4 (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean or English sonnet.

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.

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 Short Story.

Key Points

• A short story is a brief work of narrative prose that usually focuses on a single plot point.
• This form of prose became prominent through the works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Anton Chekhov.
• Edgar Allan Poe is known for his mastery in creating short stories with elements of mystery and macabre.
• Anton Chekhov, on the other hand, is celebrated for his subtle and realistic short stories that often explore complex human emotions and social conditions.
• Short stories typically aim to evoke a single effect or mood in the reader, making them distinct from longer forms of prose like novels.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Novel: A longer form of narrative prose that typically explores multiple plot points and character developments.
• Novella: A shorter form of a novel, longer than a short story but more concise than a full-length novel.
• Epic: A lengthy narrative poem, often concerning heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.

The correct answer is Opera.

Key Points

• Opera is a form of drama that combines music, singing, and sometimes dance to tell a story and evoke emotional responses from the audience.
• It originated in Italy in the late 16th century and evolved significantly over the centuries.
• Composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giacomo Puccini are renowned for their operatic works, which are considered masterpieces of the genre.
• Mozart's operas, such as "The Magic Flute" and "Don Giovanni," are celebrated for their complex characters and beautiful music.
• Puccini's operas, including "La Bohème" and "Madama Butterfly," are known for their emotional intensity and memorable arias.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Tragedy: A genre of drama that focuses on serious and often somber themes, typically involving a protagonist's downfall.
• Comedy: A genre of drama characterized by humor and often a happy ending.
• Farce: A subgenre of comedy that relies on exaggerated and improbable situations for humorous effect.

The correct answer is Climax.

Key Points

• In the context of short stories, the term "climax" refers to the moment when the plot reaches its point of greatest intensity.
• The climax is often the turning point of the story, where the main conflict comes to a head, and the protagonist faces the ultimate challenge.
• It is a crucial part of the narrative structure, leading to the resolution of the story's central conflict.
• The climax typically occurs after the rising action and before the falling action or denouement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Denouement: This term refers to the final part of a story, where the strands of the plot are drawn together, and matters are explained or resolved.
• Exposition: This is the introduction of the story, where characters, setting, and the basic situation are established.
• Rising action: This part of the story includes events that create suspense, interest, and tension, leading up to the climax.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• Short stories typically focus on a Unity of impression, concentrating on a single incident or effect.
• Brevity is a key characteristic, ensuring that the story is concise and to the point.
• Complexity of subplots is not typical in short stories, as they usually aim to deliver a powerful impact within a limited scope.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Unity of impression ensures that all elements of the story contribute to a single overall effect.
• Concentration on a single incident or effect allows the writer to delve deeply into a specific moment or theme.
• Brevity ensures that the story remains engaging and impactful without unnecessary details.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• In a Shakespearian sonnet, the couplet at the end serves to provide a summary or resolution to the themes and ideas presented in the preceding quatrains.
• The couplet often encapsulates the main message of the sonnet, delivering a poignant conclusion or a clever twist.
• This structure allows the poet to leave a lasting impression on the reader through a concise and impactful ending.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Option 1: The volta or turn typically occurs at the ninth line in a Shakespearian sonnet, marking a shift in tone or argument.
• Option 3: Introducing a new character is not a typical function of the couplet in a sonnet.
• Option 4: Complicating the theme is more often done in the body of the sonnet, not in the concluding couplet.

The correct answer is Naturalistic drama.

Key Points

• Naturalistic drama focuses on the depiction of sordid, grim realities and often emphasizes character over plot.
• This type of drama aims to present a slice of life, portraying everyday situations and issues in a realistic manner.
• It often includes detailed sets and costumes to enhance the realism and immerse the audience in the depicted world.
• Naturalistic drama typically explores social issues, human behavior, and the influence of environment and heredity on individuals.
• It emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against the romantic and melodramatic styles of the time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Pastoral drama: A genre that idealizes rural life and nature, often featuring shepherds and rustic settings.
• Epic drama: A form of drama that presents a grand narrative, often with a focus on heroic deeds and significant events.
• Romantic drama: A genre that emphasizes emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature, often featuring love stories and idealized characters.

The correct answer is In medias res.

Key Points

• In medias res is a Latin term meaning "into the middle of things."
• This narrative technique involves starting a story in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning.
• It is often used to immediately engage the audience with a dramatic or critical moment in the story.
• Many classical epics, such as Homer's "The Odyssey," begin in medias res.
• Using this technique allows the author to create suspense and interest from the outset, requiring readers to piece together the backstory as the narrative progresses.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Exposition: The introduction of background information within a story, such as setting, characters' backstories, prior plot events, historical context, etc.
• Deus ex machina: A plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.
• Foreshadowing: A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

The correct answer is Meditative reflection on suffering and death.

Key Points

• A traditional elegy is a poetic form that is typically characterized by a meditative reflection on suffering and death.
• This form of poetry often involves an expression of sorrow and lamentation, typically for someone who has died.
• Elegies traditionally follow a specific structure that includes mourning the deceased, praising their virtues, and finding solace or consolation.
• This genre of poetry has been used by many poets throughout history to explore themes of mortality, loss, and the passage of time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Comic relief: This is usually found in dramas and comedies, not in elegies, which are somber and reflective in nature.
• Iambic pentameter: While this is a common metrical pattern in English poetry, it is not a defining feature of elegies specifically.
• Allegorical content: While some elegies may contain allegorical elements, allegory itself is not a characteristic feature of the elegy form.