UGC NET English: Practice Set 7( Q.181 to Q.210)
A set of 30 multiple-choice questions covering UGC NET English Syllabus:
You are welcome to utilize these multiple-choice questions and their explanations in order to improve your knowledge of the History of English Literature themes and your preparation for UGC NET English or the like exams.
181. What is the title of the oldest surviving epic poem in Old English literature, which recounts the heroic deeds of a legendary warrior?
a) "The Canterbury Tales" b) "Beowulf" c) "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" d) "The Wanderer" Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the oldest surviving epic poem in Old English literature, composed between the 8th and 11th centuries. It narrates the heroic adventures of Beowulf and his battles against monstrous creatures.Read More History of English Literature (Essay)
182. In Old English poetry, what is a "kenning"?
a) A type of riddle b) A poetic meter c) A compound expression used to describe something indirectly d) A type of alliteration Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) A compound expression used to describe something indirectly." A kenning is a figurative and metaphorical phrase or compound word used in Old English poetry to describe an object, person, or concept in an imaginative and indirect way.Read More History of English Literature (Essay)183. Which Old English poem portrays the lament of an exile and reflects themes of loneliness and the transience of earthly joys?
a) "The Dream of the Rood" b) "The Seafarer" c) "Beowulf" d) "Wulf and Eadwacer" Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) The Seafarer." "The Seafarer" is an Old English poem that presents the perspective of an exile who reflects on the hardships of a life at sea, the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, and the yearning for spiritual salvation.184. Which Old English poem features a cross as a speaking character and describes the crucifixion of Christ from its perspective?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "The Dream of the Rood" d) "Beowulf" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) The Dream of the Rood." "The Dream of the Rood" is an Old English poem that personifies the cross on which Christ was crucified. The cross narrates its role in the crucifixion and the salvation of humankind.185. What is the common theme of many Old English poems known as "elegies"?
a) Heroic battles b) Celebrations of love and beauty c) Laments for the passing of time and loss d) Mythological narratives Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) Laments for the passing of time and loss." Many Old English elegies, such as "The Wanderer" and "The Seafarer," express themes of sorrow, transience, and the fleeting nature of human existence.Read More History of English Literature (Essay)186. Which Old English poem explores the theme of fate and the concept of "wyrd," often translated as "fate" or "destiny"?
a) "The Dream of the Rood" b) "The Battle of Maldon" c) "Beowulf" d) "The Wife's Lament" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) Beowulf." "Beowulf" features the theme of fate and the concept of "wyrd," which plays a significant role in shaping the events of the poem and the destiny of its characters.187. In Old English poetry, what is "alliteration"?
a) A form of rhyme b) A type of metaphor c) The repetition of initial consonant sounds d) A type of stanza structure Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) The repetition of initial consonant sounds." Alliteration is a prominent feature of Old English poetry, where the initial sounds of words in a line or stanza are repeated to create rhythmic and melodic patterns. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)188. Which Old English poem features a dialogue between a husband and wife, expressing themes of separation and longing?.png)
a) "The Seafarer"
b) "The Wife's Lament"
c) "The Dream of the Rood"
d) "Beowulf"
Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) The Wife's Lament." "The Wife's Lament" is an Old English poem in which a wife laments her separation from her husband and her exile, reflecting themes of sorrow and loneliness.
189. Which Old English poem is set during a battle between the Anglo-Saxons and Viking invaders and emphasizes the values of heroic courage and loyalty?
a) "The Dream of the Rood" b) "The Battle of Maldon" c) "Beowulf" d) "The Seafarer" Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) The Battle of Maldon." "The Battle of Maldon" is an Old English poem that commemorates the heroic stand of the Anglo-Saxons against Viking invaders. It highlights themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)190. Which Old English poem reflects on the symbolism of the cross and the redemptive power of Christ's crucifixion?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Dream of the Rood" c) "The Wanderer" d) "Beowulf" Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) The Dream of the Rood." "The Dream of the Rood" is a Christian poem that uses the symbol of the cross to convey the significance of Christ's sacrifice and redemption.191. Which Old English poem features a conversation between a wanderer and a wise elder, exploring themes of exile and the impermanence of earthly life?
a) "The Dream of the Rood" b) "The Seafarer" c) "The Wanderer" d) "Beowulf" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) The Wanderer." In "The Wanderer," the speaker engages in a dialogue with a wise elder, reflecting on the challenges of exile, the fleeting nature of human existence, and the importance of seeking spiritual solace. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)192. Which Old English poem describes the courage and loyalty of a group of warriors who defend their lord and ultimately meet a tragic fate?
a) "The Battle of Maldon" b) "The Seafarer" c) "Beowulf" d) "The Wife's Lament" Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Battle of Maldon." "The Battle of Maldon" is an Old English poem that celebrates the bravery and loyalty of a group of warriors led by Byrhtnoth, who defend their lord's honor but suffer defeat in battle.193. What is the primary source of Old English literature?
a) Manuscripts written in Latin b) Oral tradition and poetry c) Greek epics translated into Old English d) Medieval French romances Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) Oral tradition and poetry." Much of Old English literature was transmitted orally through spoken poetry, passed down from generation to generation before being recorded in manuscripts. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)194. Which Old English poem laments the decay of a once-mighty kingdom and reflects on the passage of time?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "Beowulf" d) "The Ruin" Reasoning: The correct answer is "d) The Ruin." "The Ruin" is an Old English poem that reflects on the ruins of a former Roman city and contemplates the transitory nature of human achievements and civilizations.195. What is the Old English term for a poetic device in which two halves of a line are linked by alliteration?
a) Enjambment b) Assonance c) Caesura d) Half-line Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) Caesura." Caesura is the Old English term for a pause or break within a line of poetry, often marked by a punctuation or metrical pattern, that divides the line into two halves and allows for the use of alliteration.196. Which Old English poem tells the story of a warrior who battles the monster Grendel and later faces Grendel's vengeful mother?
a) "The Wanderer" b) "The Seafarer" c) "Beowulf" d) "The Battle of Maldon" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) Beowulf." "Beowulf" is an Old English epic poem that narrates the heroic feats of Beowulf, who battles the monstrous creatures Grendel and Grendel's mother to protect the kingdom of the Danes. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)197. What historical event marks the end of the Old English period and the beginning of Middle English literature?
a) The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 b) The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 c) The Hundred Years' War between England and France d) The War of the Roses in the 15th century Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Norman Conquest of England in 1066." The Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066 marked a significant historical event that led to changes in language, culture, and literature, transitioning from Old English to Middle English.198. Which Old English poem is a riddle that describes an inanimate object as if it were a living being?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "The Dream of the Rood" d) "Exeter Book Riddles" Reasoning: The correct answer is "d) Exeter Book Riddles." The Exeter Book contains a collection of Old English riddles, where inanimate objects are described in a metaphorical and imaginative manner, challenging readers to solve the riddles.199. What type of verse form is commonly used in Old English poetry, characterized by four stressed syllables followed by an unstressed syllable?
a) Trochaic tetrameter b) Iambic pentameter c) Anapestic hexameter d) Dactylic trimeter Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) Trochaic tetrameter." Many Old English poems, including "Beowulf" and "The Seafarer," are written in trochaic tetrameter, a metrical pattern of four stressed syllables followed by an unstressed syllable. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)200. Which Old English poem includes a dialogue between a Christian and a pagan figure, exploring themes of faith and the transience of earthly wealth?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "The Dream of the Rood" d) "Beowulf" Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Seafarer." "The Seafarer" includes a dialogue between the speaker, who reflects on the hardships of a life at sea, and a Christian perspective that contrasts earthly wealth with the spiritual journey.201. Which Old English poem, often referred to as an "exhortatory" or "didactic" poem, offers moral and practical advice to its readers?
a) "The Wanderer" b) "The Seafarer" c) "Maxims I" d) "The Dream of the Rood" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) Maxims I." "Maxims I" is an Old English poem that provides moral and practical guidance, presenting a series of brief and pithy sayings intended to offer wisdom and insight. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)202. What is the primary manuscript source that contains a significant portion of surviving Old English literature?
a) The "Exeter Book" b) The "Beowulf Manuscript" c) The "Canterbury Tales" d) The "Gawain and the Green Knight Manuscript" Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Exeter Book." The Exeter Book is a medieval manuscript that contains a diverse collection of Old English poems, including riddles, religious texts, and elegies. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)203. In "The Wanderer," what aspect of life is the speaker lamenting?
a) The loss of a loved one b) The harshness of winter c) The transitory nature of human existence d) The challenges of seafaring Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) The transitory nature of human existence." In "The Wanderer," the speaker laments the impermanence of life and the sorrow that comes with the passage of time. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)204. Which Old English poem is a religious narrative that presents the life of a saint, including their miracles and martyrdom?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "The Dream of the Rood" d) "Saint's Life" Reasoning: The correct answer is "d) Saint's Life." "Saint's Life" is a genre of Old English literature that presents the biography of a Christian saint, emphasizing their virtuous deeds, miracles, and devotion to faith. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)205. What is the literary term used to describe a long narrative poem that recounts the heroic deeds of a legendary figure or historical hero?
a) Elegy b) Epic c) Sonnet d) Lyric Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) Epic." An epic is a long narrative poem that typically celebrates the achievements of a heroic figure and often includes supernatural elements, grand battles, and quests.206. In Old English poetry, what is the term for a two-line unit of verse, often connected by alliteration, that forms a complete thought?
a) Stanza b) Couplet c) Quatrain d) Rhyme scheme Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) Couplet." In Old English poetry, a couplet is a pair of lines that often share a common meter and alliterative pattern, contributing to the rhythmic structure of the poem.207. Which Old English poem describes a vision of the afterlife and presents a dialogue between a living person and the soul of a deceased traveler?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Dream of the Rood" c) "The Wanderer" d) "The Exeter Book" Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Seafarer." While "The Seafarer" is primarily focused on the challenges of life at sea, it also contains a passage describing a vision of the afterlife and a dialogue between the speaker and the soul of a deceased traveler. Read More History of English Literature (Essay)208. What is the term for the Old English poetic device in which similar vowel sounds appear in stressed syllables of nearby words?
a) Alliteration b) Assonance c) Rhyme d) Consonance Reasoning: The correct answer is "b) Assonance." Assonance is a poetic device in which the vowel sounds in stressed syllables of words within a line of poetry are similar, creating a harmonious and melodic effect.209. Which Old English poem portrays the journey of a seafarer and explores themes of loneliness, exile, and the challenges of life at sea?
a) "The Seafarer" b) "The Wanderer" c) "The Dream of the Rood" d) "Beowulf" Reasoning: The correct answer is "a) The Seafarer." "The Seafarer" is an Old English poem that presents the perspective of a seafarer who reflects on the hardships and spiritual aspects of life at sea.210. Which famous Old English manuscript contains an illustrated poem about the creation of the world and the fall of humanity?
a) The "Beowulf Manuscript" b) The "Canterbury Tales" c) The "Junius Manuscript" d) The "Exeter Book" Reasoning: The correct answer is "c) The Junius Manuscript." The Junius Manuscript contains an illustrated Old English poem known as "Genesis," which narrates the biblical story of creation and the fall of humanity. Read More History of English Literature (Essay) Feel free to use these challenging questions and their reasoning to deepen your knowledge of Old English literature and its important contributions to literary history.References:
1.ALBERT. (2000). History of English Literature (Fifth Edition) [English]. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.
2. A short history of English literature : Saintsbury, George, 1845-1933 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/shorthistoryofen00sain
3. Practical Criticism : Richards,I.A. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/practicalcritici030142mbp
4. English Literature by William J. Long. (n.d.). Project Gutenberg. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10609
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