Literary Theory Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Reader Response Theory

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| By Kasturi Chaudhuri
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  • 1/10 Questions

    What is one of the fundamental questions of literary theory?

    • What is history?
    • What is literature?
    • What is science?
    • What is philosophy?
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About This Quiz

Take our Literary Theory Quiz and explore the fascinating concepts that shape how we understand and interpret texts. From structuralism to postcolonialism, this quiz will test your knowledge of key literary theories and thinkers. Whether you're a literature enthusiast or just curious to learn more, this quiz is the perfect way to deepen your understanding of the complexities of literary analysis.
Literary Theory Quiz delves into the fascinating realm of literary analysis, exploring various frameworks and perspectives used to interpret and understand literature. It examines different approaches to studying texts, ranging from historical and cultural contexts to formal structures and linguistic elements.
Participants encounter concepts such as structuralism, which focuses on the underlying structures and systems within a text, and postcolonialism, which examines literature in the context of colonial and postcolonial experiences. Other theories, like feminism and psychoanalysis, offer insights into how gender and psychology influence literary interpretation.

Literary Theory Quiz: Test Your Knowledge Of Reader Response Theory - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What is a term for scholarly approaches to reading texts?

    • Theory

    • Hypothesis

    • Law

    • Principle

    Correct Answer
    A. Theory
    Explanation
    The term “theory” has become an umbrella term for scholarly approaches to reading texts. It encompasses a wide range of theoretical frameworks and methodologies, each offering different perspectives and insights into the interpretation of literary works.

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  • 3. 

    What is a type of literary theory that takes a different approach to texts?

    • Historical and biographical criticism

    • Historical and biographical analysis

    • Historical and biographical study

    • Historical and biographical review

    Correct Answer
    A. Historical and biographical criticism
    Explanation
    Historical and biographical criticism is a type of literary theory that takes a different approach to texts. Instead of focusing solely on the text, it considers the historical context and the author’s life as crucial elements in understanding and interpreting the work.

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  • 4. 

    What is a work that a New Critic might read for its degree of honesty in expressing the torment and contradiction of a serious search for belief in the modern world?

    • A poem by T. S. Eliot

    • A novel by Jane Austen

    • A play by William Shakespeare

    • A short story by Edgar Allan Poe

    Correct Answer
    A. A poem by T. S. Eliot
    Explanation
    A New Critic might read a poem by T. S. Eliot for its degree of honesty in expressing the torment and contradiction of a serious search for belief in the modern world. This approach reflects the New Critics’ focus on the text itself, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to derive meaning.

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  • 5. 

    What is the systematic study of the nature of literature and methods for literary analysis?

    • Literary Theory

    • Literary Criticism

    • Literary History

    • Literary Philosophy

    Correct Answer
    A. Literary Theory
    Explanation
    Literary Theory is a systematic study that delves into the nature of literature and the methodologies used for literary analysis. It seeks to understand the fundamental elements that constitute literature, including themes, structures, and literary devices, and how they can be analyzed to derive meaning and interpretation.

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  • 6. 

    Which school of theory often contained an implicit moral dimension?

    • New Criticism

    • Formalism

    • Structuralism

    • Post-structuralism

    Correct Answer
    A. New Criticism
    Explanation
    The work of the New Critics often contained an implicit moral dimension. This means that their analyses and interpretations of literary works often carried underlying moral implications, reflecting their belief that literature can convey moral truths and ethical lessons.

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  • 7. 

    What is a perspective that different schools of theory often arise from?

    • Interpretive and epistemological

    • Interpretive and ontological

    • Epistemological and ontological

    • Ontological and metaphysical

    Correct Answer
    A. Interpretive and epistemological
    Explanation
    The different interpretive and epistemological perspectives of different schools of theory often arise from, and so give support to, different moral and political commitments. This highlights the influence of personal and societal values on theoretical approaches, shaping how literature is understood and interpreted.

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  • 8. 

    What is a broad school of theory that has historically been important?

    • New Criticism

    • Old Criticism

    • Modern Criticism

    • Ancient Criticism

    Correct Answer
    A. New Criticism
    Explanation
    New Criticism is a broad school of theory that has historically been important. It emphasizes close reading and textual analysis, focusing on the text itself rather than the author’s intentions or the reader’s response. This approach has had a significant impact on how literature is studied and interpreted.

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  • 9. 

    What term is used to refer to the 1980s and 1990s debates on the academic merits of theory?

    • The Theory Wars

    • The Theory Debates

    • The Theory Discussions

    • The Theory Dialogues

    Correct Answer
    A. The Theory Wars
    Explanation
    The debates on the academic merits of theory that took place in the 1980s and 1990s are referred to as “the theory wars”. These debates centered around the role and value of theory in literary studies, with scholars arguing over its relevance and applicability.

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  • 10. 

    When did the practice of literary theory become a profession?

    • 18th Century

    • 19th Century

    • 20th Century

    • 21st Century

    Correct Answer
    A. 20th Century
    Explanation
    The practice of literary theory evolved into a professional field in the 20th century. This transformation marked a significant shift in the academic landscape, as it recognized the importance of theoretical frameworks in understanding and interpreting literary works.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 17, 2025 +

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 17, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 11, 2024
    Quiz Created by
    Kasturi Chaudhuri
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