American Literature Trivia Quiz

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| By Myedinak
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  • 1/20 Questions

    The novel The Pearl contains much "symbolism," which is using people, places, and things that represent ideas larger than their literal meaning.

    • True
    • False
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About This Quiz

. Literature is an important aspect of human life. Literature is what makes us better to understand this world and society around us. This is an American literature trivia quiz, where you have to answer questions related to American literature. Let us see how much you are familiar with American literature and how well you understand it. Just try to score as much as you can. Best of luck!

American Literature Trivia Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    John Steinbeck worked for a while as a farm laborer. His experiences showed him how to survive and gave him material for his later writings like The Grapes of Wrath.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    John Steinbeck's experiences as a farm laborer provided him with valuable insights into the struggles and hardships faced by workers in the agricultural industry. These experiences not only gave him firsthand knowledge of how to survive in such conditions but also served as inspiration for his later writings, including the acclaimed novel "The Grapes of Wrath." Thus, it can be concluded that the statement is true.

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  • 3. 

    In The Pearl, what starts off as a great opportunity later become nothing but sadness and destruction.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The given statement is true because in the novel "The Pearl," the protagonist, Kino, finds a valuable pearl that initially seems like a great opportunity to improve his family's life. However, as the story progresses, the pearl brings nothing but sadness and destruction. Kino's greed and desire for wealth lead to conflict, violence, and ultimately the loss of his son's life. The pearl becomes a symbol of the corrupting influence of material wealth and the destructive consequences it can have on individuals and their relationships.

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  • 4. 

    The intellectual movement that believed that the observation of nature elevates the nature of humans, that deep truths can be grasped through intuition, and that God, Nature and humanity are united in a shared universe is...

    • Transcendentalism

    • Communism

    • Totalitarianism

    • Feudalism

    Correct Answer
    A. Transcendentalism
    Explanation
    Transcendentalism is the correct answer because it aligns with the description provided in the question. Transcendentalism was an intellectual movement that emphasized the importance of individualism, intuition, and the connection between humans, nature, and the divine. It believed that by observing nature, individuals could gain deep insights and elevate their own nature. This movement rejected societal conventions and placed a strong emphasis on self-reliance and spiritual exploration.

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  • 5. 

    Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. This statement is true. Mark Twain was the pen name adopted by the American writer Samuel Clemens. He chose this pseudonym while working as a journalist, and it became the name by which he is most commonly known. Therefore, the statement is correct.

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  • 6. 

    The poetry of T.S.Eliot is an example of Modernism.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    T.S. Eliot's poetry is considered an example of Modernism because it reflects the characteristics and themes commonly associated with this literary movement. Modernism emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the rapid changes and disillusionment brought about by World War I. It is characterized by experimentation with form, fragmented narratives, and a focus on the inner self and the complexities of human existence. Eliot's poetry, such as "The Waste Land" and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," embodies these characteristics, making it a prime example of Modernist literature.

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  • 7. 

    John Steinbeck's The Pearl was originally a folk tale.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The explanation for the given correct answer is that John Steinbeck's novel, The Pearl, is indeed based on a folk tale. The story is inspired by a Mexican folk tale that Steinbeck heard while he was traveling in Mexico. He took elements from the folk tale and adapted it into his own novel, which explores themes of greed, wealth, and the corrupting power of money. The folk tale origins of The Pearl add to its cultural and historical significance, as it draws upon traditional storytelling and folklore.

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  • 8. 

    Thoreau believed that if a government was unjust, people need to resist the government. This is called...

    • Following orders.

    • Resisting arrest.

    • Civil disobedience.

    • Mutiny.

    Correct Answer
    A. Civil disobedience.
    Explanation
    Thoreau believed in the concept of civil disobedience, which means peacefully and intentionally breaking unjust laws as a form of protest against an unjust government. This is different from simply following orders or resisting arrest, as civil disobedience is a deliberate act of nonviolent resistance to challenge the legitimacy of an unjust government. Mutiny, on the other hand, refers to a rebellion or uprising against authority, which is not necessarily peaceful or nonviolent. Therefore, the most appropriate term to describe Thoreau's belief is civil disobedience.

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  • 9. 

    Among the many jobs Mark Twain had, he was a riverboat captain.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, worked as a riverboat captain before becoming a renowned author. This is a well-known fact about his life and career. He gained firsthand experience navigating the Mississippi River, which later inspired his famous novels such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Therefore, it is accurate to say that among his many jobs, Mark Twain was indeed a riverboat captain.

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  • 10. 

    The final writing assignment in this class was on each student's favorite author.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The given statement suggests that the final writing assignment in the class was about each student's favorite author. Since the statement does not provide any contradictory information or context, we can assume that the statement is true.

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  • 11. 

    Thoreau was part of the Transcendalists, which were founded by...

    • Mark Twain.

    • Herman Melville.

    • Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    • Walt Whitman.

    Correct Answer
    A. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
    Explanation
    Thoreau was part of the Transcendentalists, a philosophical and literary movement in the 19th century. They believed in the inherent goodness of both people and nature, and emphasized individualism and self-reliance. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of the key figures in the Transcendentalist movement and played a significant role in its development. He was a mentor and friend to Thoreau, who was deeply influenced by Emerson's ideas and writings. Therefore, the correct answer is Ralph Waldo Emerson.

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  • 12. 

    Jack London's "To Build a Fire" contained foreshadowing, which means...

    • It took place at nightfall.

    • It was a moody and spooky story.

    • It contained clues to events yet to happen.

    • It had descriptions of shadows in the woods.

    Correct Answer
    A. It contained clues to events yet to happen.
    Explanation
    In literature, foreshadowing refers to the use of hints or clues by the author to suggest events that will occur later in the story. In the case of Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the correct answer is that it contained clues to events yet to happen. This means that the story included subtle indications or suggestions about future events, allowing readers to anticipate what might occur as the narrative progresses.

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  • 13. 

    The two main characters in The Pearl are...

    • Juan Tomas and his wife.

    • The doctor and the priest.

    • Kino and his wife Juana.

    Correct Answer
    A. Kino and his wife Juana.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Kino and his wife Juana. This is because throughout the novel, Kino and Juana are the central characters who go through a series of events surrounding the discovery of the pearl. They are portrayed as a hardworking and loving couple, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. Juan Tomas and his wife, as well as the doctor and the priest, are secondary characters who play smaller roles in the story.

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  • 14. 

    Henry David Thoreau lived for a while...

    • At Lake Tahoe.

    • At Willow Pond.

    • At the Feather River.

    • At Walden Pond.

    Correct Answer
    A. At Walden Pond.
    Explanation
    Henry David Thoreau lived for a while at Walden Pond. This is a well-known fact as Thoreau's most famous work, "Walden," is based on his experiences living in a cabin near Walden Pond for two years. Thoreau sought to live a simple and self-sufficient life in nature, and his time at Walden Pond allowed him to reflect on the importance of solitude, simplicity, and the natural world. The book has become a classic in American literature and is often cited as a foundational text of the environmental movement.

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  • 15. 

    The Pearl takes place in rural South America.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The Pearl does not take place in rural South America. The novel is actually set in La Paz, a coastal town in Mexico. The story revolves around a poor fisherman named Kino and his wife Juana who find a valuable pearl and the consequences they face as a result. The setting of La Paz is significant as it reflects the poverty and hardships faced by the characters in their everyday lives.

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  • 16. 

    Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" took place in...

    • The Rocky Mountains.

    • The Appalachian Mountains.

    • The Sierra Nevada Mountains.

    • The Sierra Madre Mountains.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Sierra Nevada Mountains.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This can be inferred from the title of the story, "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," as well as the author, Bret Harte, who was known for his stories set in the Sierra Nevada region. The story follows a group of outcasts who are banished from the town of Poker Flat and forced to survive in the harsh wilderness of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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  • 17. 

    Although Steinbeck wrote about people from California, he himself was born and lived in New York City.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement is false because John Steinbeck, the author, was actually born and raised in Salinas, California. He frequently wrote about the lives and struggles of people from California, drawing inspiration from his own experiences growing up in the region.

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  • 18. 

    Near the end of The Pearl, the little child, Coyotito, drowns in the river. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In The Pearl, the little child, Coyotito, does not drown in the river near the end of the story. The correct answer is False.

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  • 19. 

    William Carlos Williams wrote the poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" which, like T.S. Eliot's poetry, contained complex images and allusions.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement is false because William Carlos Williams's poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" is known for its simplicity and straightforwardness, rather than containing complex images and allusions like T.S. Eliot's poetry. Williams focused on capturing the beauty in everyday objects and moments, using simple language and vivid imagery.

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  • 20. 

    The email address for our class is...

    Correct Answer
    Explanation
    The correct answer is [email protected] because it follows the format of a typical email address with the username (usa.literature) followed by the domain name (gmail.com). The other options either have incorrect domain names or do not follow the typical format of an email address.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 20, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Myedinak

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