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CLEP English Literature Practice Test

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

Question 1Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Why did Yeats write "Easter 1916"?

A
A) To commemorate the rising
B
B) To criticize the British
C
C) To explore the human cost
D
D) To advocate for violence
E
E) To reflect on the changing times

Explanation

To reflect on the changing times is correct because it reflects on Ireland's transformation.

Question 2Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

What theme does "Easter 1916" explore?

A
A) Love and relationships
B
B) Nature and beauty
C
C) Nationalism and identity
D
D) War and violence
E
E) Spirituality and faith

Explanation

Nationalism and identity is correct because it examines Irish identity.

Question 3Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Who was the leader of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising?

A
A) Patrick Pearse
B
B) James Connolly
C
C) Eamon de Valera
D
D) Michael Collins
E
E) W.B. Yeats

Explanation

Patrick Pearse is correct because Pearse led the Volunteers.

Question 4Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

The tone of 'Lycidas' is primarily

A
A) Joyful
B
B) Melancholic
C
C) Angry
D
D) Fearful
E
E) Hopeful

Explanation

Melancholic is correct because 'Lycidas' is a mournful elegy.

Question 5Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

The speaker in 'Lycidas' asks what?

A
A) For forgiveness
B
B) For justice
C
C) Where the friend has gone
D
D) Why the friend died
E
E) What the friend's fate is

Explanation

Why the friend died is correct because the speaker questions the friend's death.

Question 6Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

What is the primary purpose of 'Lycidas'?

A
A) To celebrate life
B
B) To mourn a friend's death
C
C) To describe nature
D
D) To tell a story
E
E) To express love

Explanation

To mourn a friend's death is correct because 'Lycidas' is a personal lament.

Question 7Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Milton's 'Lycidas' mourns which friend?

A
A) Edward King
B
B) John Donne
C
C) Ben Jonson
D
D) Andrew Marvell
E
E) George Herbert

Explanation

Edward King is correct because Edward King died in a shipwreck.

Question 8Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Which poem starts with "Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness"?

A
A) Ode to a Nightingale
B
B) To Autumn
C
C) Ode on a Grecian Urn
D
D) Endymion
E
E) Hyperion

Explanation

Ode on a Grecian Urn is correct because it quotes the first line of Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn.

Question 9Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Which poem starts with "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever"?

A
A) Endymion
B
B) To Autumn
C
C) Ode to a Nightingale
D
D) Hyperion
E
E) Ode on a Grecian Urn

Explanation

Endymion is correct because it quotes the first line of Keats' Endymion.

Question 10Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)

Which poem begins with "Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art"?

A
A) To Autumn
B
B) Ode to a Nightingale
C
C) Bright Star
D
D) Endymion
E
E) Hyperion

Explanation

Bright Star is correct because it quotes the first line of Keats' Bright Star.

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