LITERATURE IN ENGLISH THEORY FIRST TERM EXAMINATION SS 2
Ss2, the theory,
Lonely Days
1. What is the main theme of “lonely days”?
A. loss and heartbreak
B. recovery and acceptance
C. hope and perseverance
D. adventure and discovery
2. How does the character in this poem deal with loneliness?
A. She turns to friends and family for support
B. She escapes into her imagination and explores other worlds
C. She becomes obsessed with finding a romantic partner to fill the void
D. She focuses on work and practical tasks to distract herself from her feelings of sadness.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the coping strategies that the character in this poem uses to deal with loneliness?
A. Spending time outdoors and exploring new places
B. Seeking out new hobbies and interests to distract herself from her feelings of sadness
C. Writing poetry as a way to express her emotions and connect with others going through similar experiences
D. Listening to music and watching movies that make her feel less alone
4. In what ways is “lonely days” a tragic, but ultimately uplifting, poem?
A. It shows the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss and hardship
B. It captures the fleeting nature of happiness and reminds readers not to take life for granted
C. It explores the complex emotions of grief and loss, but ultimately leaves readers feeling hopeful and inspired
D. It offers an honest portrayal of the challenges that many people face in their everyday lives, without offering any simple solutions or easy answers.
5. How does the poem “lonely days” reflect on the nature of human connection and loneliness?
A. It shows how loneliness can be a powerful motivator, driving people to connect with others in meaningful ways
B. It highlights the ways in which technology and social media have both exacerbated and alleviated feelings of isolation and disconnection
C. It explores the ways in which individuals can find comfort, meaning, and purpose in times of loneliness and hardship
D. It examines how our modern culture is increasingly focused on individualism and self-reliance, at the expense of meaningful social connections and shared experiences.
The Pulley
1. What is the main theme of “The Pulley” by George Herbert?
A. The nature of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity
B. The importance of using one’s talents and gifts to accomplish great things
C. The bittersweet allure of ambition and worldly success
D. The strength of faith and belief in the face of uncertainty
2. How does George Herbert explore the relationship between human effort and divine power in this poem?
A. He depicts challenging situations where people must rely on their own strength and perseverance to succeed, while also acknowledging that there are some things beyond our control or Understanding B. He describes how people can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles through sheer willpower and determination, while also recognizing the role that fate and divine intervention may play in our lives
C. He demonstrates how human beings are capable of achieving great things through their own strength and intelligence, while also acknowledging our inherent limitations and imperfections.
D. He emphasizes the need for humility, acknowledging both our own limitations and the limitless power of God to help and guide us in times of need.
3. How does George Herbert use language and imagery in “The Pulley” to evoke a sense of wonder and transcendence?
A. He uses vivid metaphors and striking imagery to evoke the spectacular beauty and awe-inspiring grandeur of nature, highlighting our connection to the natural world
B. He employs complex paradoxes and striking juxtapositions in order to convey a sense of profound mystery and cosmic wonder
C. He uses vivid sensory details and sensory language to create a sense of spectacle and theatricality, drawing the reader into the narrative
D. He uses images of beauty and power to evoke a sense of awe at the vastness of the universe and our place within it.
4. Which of the following best describes the tone in “The Pulley”?
A. Earnest and reflective, with occasional moments of dark humor
B. Omniscient and detached, exploring the inner workings of humanity from a purely intellectual perspective
C. Wry and satirical, using irony and sarcasm to convey the absurdity of human folly
D. Passionate and heartfelt, evoking a deep sense of empathy and connection with the human experience as a whole.
5. Why does George Herbert use an elaborate pulley metaphor in “The Pulley”?
A. To explore the nature of faith and belief, and how these big ideas are manifested in the world around us
B. To highlight the paradoxical relationship between human effort and divine power
C. To illustrate that, despite our limitations and imperfections, we are all interconnected parts of a larger whole
D. To explore the complex interplay between free will and determinism, drawing on philosophical ideas about the limits of human action and agency.
6. How does the pulley metaphor relate to themes of ambition, success, and worldly attainment in “The Pulley”?
A. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misplaced ambition and our fixation on worldly goals
B. It highlights the ways that people often succumb to temptation and give in to their desires, even if it comes at great cost or results in failure
C. It offers an alternative view of success and worldly attainment, showing that it is not always what it seems
D. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and spiritual transcendence in the face of temptation and worldly desires.
Crossing The Bar .
1. What is the central theme of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Crossing the Bar”?
A. The fleeting nature of life and mortality
B. The importance of perseverance and spiritual growth in times of difficulty
C. The complex relationship between free will and determinism
D. The profound mysteries of the universe and our place within it
2. What imagery does Tennyson use to evoke a sense of awe, wonder, and transcendence in “Crossing the Bar”?
A. Metaphors, juxtapositions, and paradoxes
B. Sensory language and vivid descriptions
C. Biblical allusions and religious imagery
D. Similes and elaborate metaphors
3. Why does Tennyson use a nautical metaphor in “Crossing the Bar”?
A. To illustrate how our actions and choices shape our destiny
B. To explore the nature of faith, belief, and spiritual transcendence
C. To demonstrate the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world
D. To explore the relationship between free will and determinism in human experience
4. What does Tennyson imply about death and mortality through his use of metaphor in “Crossing the Bar”?
A. That it is a necessary part of life, an inevitable fate to which we should all surrender ourselves
B. That it represents an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-reflection, a moment of reckoning with our choices and priorities
C. That it is fundamentally unknowable, a profound mystery that lies outside the realm of human understanding
D. That it offers a chance to overcome our fears, transcend worldly desires, and achieve a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
5. What does Tennyson seem to suggest about the inevitability of death through his use of symbolism in “Crossing the Bar”?
A. That it is something to be feared and avoided at all costs
B. That it can only be overcome through acts of courage and determination
C. That it is a natural part of the cycle of life and death, and an important aspect of spiritual transformation
D. That it represents the fleeting nature of worldly achievements, highlighting the futility of human pursuits outside of spirituality and transcendence
6. What does Tennyson seem to suggest about free will and determinism in “Crossing the Bar”?
A. That our choices are constrained by fate and predetermined circumstances, while also offering us a degree of agency over our destiny
B. That we always have some measure of control over our actions, regardless of the external forces that may be acting upon us
C. That we are ultimately powerless to control our fate, and must simply allow ourselves to be led by the winds of destiny
D. That human beings have a capacity for both good and evil, but that their actions will ultimately be rewarded or punished according to a higher moral framework.
7. How does Tennyson’s use of symbolism and metaphor throughout “Crossing the Bar” compare to that of other Victorian-era poets?
A. Unlike many other writers of his time, Tennyson uses imagery and symbolism in a highly abstract and evocative manner, often exploring profound philosophical concepts such as free will, determinism, and spiritual transcendence
B. While Tennyson’s poetry is deeply rooted in the traditions and conventions of Victorian-era literary culture, it also stands out for its bold exploration of more experimental and avant-garde themes
C. Unlike many other poets of his time, Tennyson relies heavily on classical allusions and biblical imagery, drawing upon traditional ideas about morality and spirituality
D. While Tennyson’s work was highly influenced by the aesthetic and intellectual trends of his era, it also reflects a more transcendent and universal vision that transcends the narrow confines of Victorian culture.
Based on his use of symbolism, metaphor, and other literary techniques, it seems that Tennyson was deeply preoccupied with questions of free will, determinism, and spiritual transcendence. In particular, he seems to suggest that human beings have a capacity for both good and evil, but that their actions ultimately reflect a higher moral or spiritual framework. At the same time, he also suggests that our choices and actions are constrained by fate and predetermined circumstances, highlighting the complexity of human experience and the limitations of our knowledge and understanding. Overall, Tennyson’s work reflects a nuanced vision of human nature and experience, one that is at once deeply rooted in Victorian-era literary conventions.
