Introduction to Literature in English – 40 MCQs with Answers

byTooka -أغسطس 23, 2025

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Which of the following best defines literature?
A. A collection of scientific facts
B. Written works that express human experiences and imagination
C. Mathematical calculations
D. Historical dates only
Answer: B
The main genres of literature are:
A. Prose, Poetry, Drama
B. Fiction, Essay, Article
C. Novel, Letter, Report
D. Grammar, Syntax, Vocabulary
Answer: A
Which of these is NOT a function of literature?
A. Entertainment
B. Moral education
C. Economic inflation
D. Preservation of culture
Answer: C
The study of literature improves a student’s ability in:
A. Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
B. Only memorization
C. Pure arithmetic
D. Practical science alone
Answer: A
Which of the following is an example of oral literature?
A. Myths and folktales
B. Printed novels
C. Scientific journals
D. Dictionaries
Answer: A

The most distinct feature of poetry is:
A. Use of rhyme, rhythm, and imagery
B. Continuous prose paragraphs
C. Mathematical equations
D. Dramatic dialogue only
Answer: A
A fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter is called a:
A. Haiku
B. Ballad
C. Sonnet
D. Ode
Answer: C
Which of the following is a type of poetry?
A. Narrative poetry
B. Descriptive poetry
C. Lyrical poetry
D. All of the above
Answer: D
The persona in a poem refers to:
A. The actual poet
B. The speaker in the poem
C. The audience
D. The critic
Answer: B
“The world is a stage” is an example of:
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Hyperbole
D. Irony
Answer: A
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in poetry is called:
A. Assonance
B. Alliteration
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Personification
Answer: B
Which of these is an elegy?
A. A poem that mourns the dead
B. A humorous poem
C. A song of joy
D. A dramatic play
Answer: A
When a poem directly addresses an absent person or object, it is called:
A. Apostrophe
B. Oxymoron
C. Allusion
D. Allegory
Answer: A
A poem written to praise someone or something is a:
A. Ode
B. Ballad
C. Epigram
D. Epic
Answer: A
Epic poetry usually deals with:
A. The life of ordinary people
B. Adventures of heroes and gods
C. Simple jokes
D. Market stories
Answer: B

Prose can be divided into:
A. Fiction and Non-Fiction
B. Drama and Poetry
C. Ballads and Odes
D. Alliteration and Rhyme
Answer: A
Which of the following is a type of fiction?
A. Short story
B. Novel
C. Novella
D. All of the above
Answer: D
The sequence of events in a story is known as:
A. Plot
B. Theme
C. Setting
D. Characterization
Answer: A
The central idea of a literary work is its:
A. Theme
B. Setting
C. Character
D. Plot
Answer: A
Which of these is a narrative technique in prose?
A. First-person narration
B. Third-person narration
C. Omniscient narration
D. All of the above
Answer: D
The time and place of a story is called:
A. Theme
B. Setting
C. Plot
D. Motif
Answer: B
Flat characters are usually:
A. Fully developed and complex
B. Simple and one-dimensional
C. Round and dynamic
D. Symbolic figures only
Answer: B
Which of the following is an example of prose fiction?
A. A novel by Chinua Achebe
B. A dictionary
C. A scientific journal
D. A textbook
Answer: A
The climax of a story refers to:
A. The introduction of characters
B. The highest point of conflict or tension
C. The conclusion only
D. The author’s background
Answer: B
A story that teaches moral lessons is known as:
A. Fable
B. Ballad
C. Elegy
D. Comedy
Answer: A

Drama is meant to be:
A. Sung only
B. Performed on stage
C. Read silently only
D. Printed in newspapers
Answer: B
The person who writes a play is called a:
A. Novelist
B. Playwright
C. Poet
D. Narrator
Answer: B
The two main types of drama are:
A. Comedy and Tragedy
B. Prose and Poetry
C. Fable and Myth
D. Short story and Novel
Answer: A
Which of the following is a feature of drama?
A. Dialogue
B. Stage directions
C. Acts and Scenes
D. All of the above
Answer: D
In drama, the protagonist is:
A. The hero or main character
B. The villain
C. The chorus
D. The audience
Answer: A
Which of the following best defines a tragedy?
A. A play with humorous scenes
B. A play with a sad ending, often death
C. A short poem
D. A folktale
Answer: B
Stage directions in drama are usually written in:
A. Italics or brackets
B. Bold letters
C. Numbers only
D. Dialogue form
Answer: A
A comic relief in a tragedy refers to:
A. A serious speech by the protagonist
B. A humorous scene to ease tension
C. The end of the play
D. The introduction
Answer: B
The antagonist in a play is:
A. The central hero
B. The character opposing the protagonist
C. The playwright
D. The narrator
Answer: B
The chorus in classical drama serves to:
A. Sing songs only
B. Comment on the action and guide the audience
C. Fight the protagonist
D. Replace dialogue
Answer: B

Irony in literature refers to:
A. Saying the opposite of what is meant
B. Comparing two unlike things using “like”
C. Giving human qualities to animals
D. Sound imitation
Answer: A
Personification means:
A. Giving human qualities to non-human objects
B. Making fun of someone
C. Repetition of consonant sounds
D. Writing in prose
Answer: A
Foreshadowing in literature refers to:
A. The prediction of future events in a story
B. The climax of the story
C. The ending of the plot
D. The setting of the story
Answer: A
The critical analysis and interpretation of literature is called:
A. Literary criticism
B. Storytelling
C. Narration
D. Grammar
Answer: A
A motif in literature is:
A. A recurring theme, idea, or element
B. The climax of a story
C. A type of character
D. A narrative technique
Answer: A
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes to support teacher trainees and educators. It is not an official examination document of any college of education in Ghana.