Twentieth-Century American Literature Quiz

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  • 1/10 Questions

    Who wrote the famous poem The Waste Land?

    • Allen Ginsberg
    • Langston Hughes
    • T. S. Eliot
    • W. H. Auden
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About This Quiz

How much do you know about American literature? Have you read twentieth-century American literature? We have a special twentieth-century American literature quiz here for you. America has been known for its amazing literary work, and there have been so many well-known American writers and their poems, novels, plays, and other pieces of literary work. Let's see if you understand American literature of the twentieth century well enough or not. Best of luck!

Twentieth-century American Literature Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    "As I Lay Dying" was written by

    • Thomas Pynchon

    • William Faulkner

    • John Updike

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. William Faulkner
    Explanation
    "As I Lay Dying" is a novel written by William Faulkner. Thomas Pynchon, John Updike, and None of these are not the authors of this particular novel.

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  • 3. 

    "To Kill a Mockingbird" was written by

    • J. D. Salinger

    • James Baldwin

    • F. Scott Fitzgerald

    • Harper Lee

    Correct Answer
    A. Harper Lee
    Explanation
    Harper Lee is the correct answer because she is the author of the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." This classic American literature explores themes of racial injustice and loss of innocence through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch. The novel was published in 1960 and has since become a beloved and influential work, earning Lee numerous accolades and a Pulitzer Prize. Her poignant storytelling and powerful characters have made "To Kill a Mockingbird" a timeless masterpiece.

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  • 4. 

    "East of Eden" was a novel written by

    • Toni Morrison

    • Sylvia Plath

    • John Steinbeck

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. John Steinbeck
    Explanation
    "East of Eden" is a novel written by John Steinbeck. This book tells the story of two families in California, focusing on themes of good and evil, love and betrayal, and the struggle between free will and fate. Steinbeck's powerful storytelling and vivid characters make "East of Eden" a classic in American literature.

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  • 5. 

    Which of these poems is written by Allen Ginsberg?

    • Howl

    • Lady Lazarus

    • This Be The Verse

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Howl
    Explanation
    "Howl" is a poem written by Allen Ginsberg. It is a powerful and influential work of literature that explores themes of sexuality, spirituality, and the societal constraints of the time. Ginsberg's use of vivid imagery, free verse, and candid language challenged the conventions of poetry and established him as a prominent figure in the Beat Generation. The poem is known for its raw and emotional expression, making it a significant contribution to American literature.

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  • 6. 

    Who wrote the famous poem Warming Her Pearls?

    • Carol Ann Duffy

    • Toni Morrison

    • Allen Ginsberg

    • T. S. Eliot

    Correct Answer
    A. Carol Ann Duffy
    Explanation
    Carol Ann Duffy is the correct answer because she is a well-known poet who wrote the famous poem "Warming Her Pearls." This poem is part of her collection called "The World's Wife," which reimagines the stories of famous women from history and mythology. Duffy is known for her powerful and evocative poetry, and "Warming Her Pearls" is one of her notable works.

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  • 7. 

    "A Bell for Adano" was written by

    • Pat Conroy

    • John Hersey

    • Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. John Hersey
    Explanation
    "A Bell for Adano" is a novel written by John Hersey. The other authors listed, Pat Conroy and Kurt Vonnegut Jr., did not write this particular book. Therefore, the correct answer is John Hersey.

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  • 8. 

    "The House of Mirth" was written by

    • Edith Wharton

    • Richard Wright

    • Willa Cather

    • Margaret Mitchell

    Correct Answer
    A. Edith Wharton
    Explanation
    "The House of Mirth" is a novel written by Edith Wharton. Edith Wharton was an American author known for her insightful portrayals of upper-class society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "The House of Mirth" specifically focuses on the life of Lily Bart, a young woman from a wealthy family who is navigating the social expectations and pressures of New York City's elite. Wharton's writing style and attention to detail make her a celebrated author in American literature, and "The House of Mirth" is considered one of her most significant works.

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  • 9. 

    Which of these American authors do not belong to the 20th century?

    • Tom Wolfe

    • Philip Roth

    • William S. Burroughs

    • William Hill Brown

    Correct Answer
    A. William Hill Brown
    Explanation
    William Hill Brown does not belong to the 20th century because he was an American author who lived from 1765 to 1793, making him a writer of the late 18th century. Tom Wolfe, Philip Roth, and William S. Burroughs are all American authors who were active in the 20th century.

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  • 10. 

    Toni Morrison is known as the Nobel Prize-winning author of _______.

    • 5 novels

    • 8 novels

    • 10 novels

    • 12 novels

    Correct Answer
    A. 10 novels
    Explanation
    Toni Morrison is known as the Nobel Prize-winning author of 10 novels. This means that she has written a total of 10 novels throughout her career. Her novels have garnered critical acclaim and recognition, leading to her being awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. Morrison's works explore various themes such as race, identity, and history, and have had a significant impact on the literary world.

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  • Jul 04, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
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  • Nov 04, 2022
    Quiz Created by
    Keith Foster
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