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CLEP American Literature Practice Test

10 free sample questions with answers and explanations. See how you'd score on the real CLEP exam.

Question 1Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The story of which character is explored in The Bluest Eye?

A
A) Alex Haley's
B
B) Langston Hughes'
C
C) Pecola Breedlove's
D
D) Zora Neale Hurston's
E
E) Countee Cullen's

Explanation

Pecola Breedlove's is correct because Pecola Breedlove's story is explored in The Bluest Eye.

Question 2Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

Which character is at the center of The Bluest Eye?

A
A) Sula Peace
B
B) Sethe
C
C) Pecola Breedlove
D
D) Milkman Dead
E
E) Pilate

Explanation

Pecola Breedlove is correct because Pecola Breedlove is the central character in The Bluest Eye.

Question 3Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The Bluest Eye features which character's struggle?

A
A) Scout Finch's
B
B) Hester Prynne's
C
C) Pecola Breedlove's
D
D) Janie Crawford's
E
E) Celie's

Explanation

Pecola Breedlove's is correct because Pecola Breedlove's struggle is central to The Bluest Eye.

Question 4Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

Which novel tells the story of Pecola Breedlove?

A
A) Their Eyes Were Watching God
B
B) The Color Purple
C
C) The Bluest Eye
D
D) Invisible Man
E
E) Native Son

Explanation

The Bluest Eye is correct because The Bluest Eye features Pecola Breedlove's story.

Question 5Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The symbolic meaning of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's eyes is

A
A) A higher power watching the characters
B
B) A representation of the green light
C
C) A symbol of the American Dream
D
D) A commentary on social class
E
E) A foreshadowing of the novel's ending

Explanation

A higher power watching the characters is correct because they represent moral judgment.

Question 6Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The inclusion of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard in The Great Gatsby

A
A) Highlights the moral decay of society
B
B) Represents the pursuit of the American Dream
C
C) Symbolizes the class divisions in the novel
D
D) Foreshadows the tragic events of the novel
E
E) Serves as a red herring to mislead the reader

Explanation

Highlights the moral decay of society is correct because it symbolizes moral judgment.

Question 7Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The giant eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are meant to

A
A) Watch and judge the characters
B
B) Advertise a medical practice
C
C) Represent the eyes of God
D
D) Symbolize the green light
E
E) Foreshadow the tragic ending

Explanation

Watch and judge the characters is correct because they oversee the characters' actions.

Question 8Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard is located in

A
A) The wealthy communities of Long Island
B
B) The valley of ashes
C
C) New York City
D
D) The small towns of the Midwest
E
E) The green light's location

Explanation

The valley of ashes is correct because it symbolizes moral decay.

Question 9Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

The giant eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg watch over

A
A) The valley of ashes
B
B) Long Island's wealthy communities
C
C) New York City's skyscrapers
D
D) The green light across the water
E
E) The highway to New York

Explanation

The valley of ashes is correct because they oversee the moral decay.

Question 10Unit 1: Colonial and Early National (1620-1830)

Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard eyes symbolize

A
A) God's judgment
B
B) Wealth and materialism
C
C) The American Dream
D
D) Morality and ethics
E
E) Social class division

Explanation

God's judgment is correct because they represent a higher power.

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