English Language

Literary Analysis

4,216 Questions

Analyze classic and modernist novels, autobiographies, plays, and graphic novels across various genres. This topic tests your familiarity with prominent authors, literary movements, and thematic elements. Questions appear regularly in the English language sections of SSC, banking, and teaching competency exams.

Classic and modernist novelsAutobiographies and biographiesPoetic language and farcesThematic literary elements

Literary Analysis Questions

Multiple choice

Which book by Mark Twain chronicles the adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Jim, a runaway slave, as they travel down the Mississippi River?

  1. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

  2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

  3. Life on the Mississippi

  4. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic American novel that explores themes of racism, freedom, and friendship.

Multiple choice

Which book by Jack Kerouac chronicles the road trip adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty across America?

  1. On the Road

  2. The Dharma Bums

  3. Big Sur

  4. Desolation Angels
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

On the Road is a seminal work of the Beat Generation, capturing the spirit of freedom and exploration.

Multiple choice

Which book by Paul Theroux chronicles his train journey across Asia, from London to Tokyo?

  1. The Great Railway Bazaar

  2. Riding the Iron Rooster

  3. The Old Patagonian Express

  4. Dark Star Safari
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Great Railway Bazaar is Theroux's travelogue of his epic train journey across Asia, offering insights into diverse cultures and landscapes.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Angie Thomas explores the issue of police brutality and racial injustice?

  1. The Hate U Give

  2. On the Come Up

  3. Concrete Rose

  4. Find Your Voice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Hate U Give is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Starr Carter, a young black girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend by a white police officer.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Nicola Yoon explores the issue of immigration and the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants?

  1. Everything, Everything

  2. The Sun Is Also a Star

  3. Instructions for Dancing

  4. The Opposite of Always
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Sun Is Also a Star is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Natasha, a Jamaican immigrant who is facing deportation, and Daniel, a Korean-American boy who falls in love with her.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Ibi Zoboi explores the issue of colorism and the challenges faced by dark-skinned black girls?

  1. American Street

  2. Pride

  3. Punching the Air

  4. Black Girl Unlimited
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

American Street is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Fabiola Toussaint, a dark-skinned Haitian-American girl who is struggling to find her place in the world.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely explores the issue of mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline?

  1. All American Boys

  2. Ghost

  3. Miles Morales: Spider-Man

  4. Sunny
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

All American Boys is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Rashad, a black boy who is wrongly accused of stealing by a white police officer.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Nicola Yoon explores the issue of mental illness and the challenges faced by people with bipolar disorder?

  1. Everything, Everything

  2. The Sun Is Also a Star

  3. Instructions for Dancing

  4. The Opposite of Always
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Instructions for Dancing is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Evie, a young girl who is struggling with bipolar disorder.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Ibi Zoboi explores the issue of police brutality and the challenges faced by black boys in America?

  1. American Street

  2. Pride

  3. Punching the Air

  4. Black Girl Unlimited
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Punching the Air is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Amal, a black boy who is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to prison.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely explores the issue of gun violence and the challenges faced by young people in urban communities?

  1. All American Boys

  2. Ghost

  3. Miles Morales: Spider-Man

  4. Sunny
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ghost is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Castle Crenshaw, a young boy who is struggling to survive in a dangerous and violent neighborhood.

Multiple choice

In Marie Lu's novel "Legend", what is the name of the dystopian city where the story takes place?

  1. Legend

  2. Republic City

  3. The Black City

  4. The Neon District
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Republic City is a dystopian city where the government controls everything.

Multiple choice

Which YA novel by Nicola Yoon explores the issue of racism and the challenges faced by interracial couples?

  1. Everything, Everything

  2. The Sun Is Also a Star

  3. Instructions for Dancing

  4. The Opposite of Always
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Opposite of Always is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Jack and Kate, an interracial couple who are struggling to overcome the prejudices of their families and society.

Multiple choice

Which book by Alison Lurie won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1985?

  1. The War Between the Tates

  2. Foreign Affairs

  3. Only Children

  4. Real People
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Alison Lurie's novel "Foreign Affairs" won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1985.

Multiple choice

Which musical is based on the novel (\"The Phantom of the Opera\") by Gaston Leroux?

  1. Les Misérables

  2. The Phantom of the Opera

  3. Cats

  4. Chicago
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical based on the 1910 novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux.

Multiple choice

Which musical is based on the novel (\"Les Misérables\") by Victor Hugo?

  1. Les Misérables

  2. The Phantom of the Opera

  3. Cats

  4. Chicago
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Les Misérables is a musical based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.