The History of English Literature
THE NORMAN-FRENCH PERIOD
[For NET, SET, ENGLISH SLST INTERVIEW, B.A (HONS)]
❖ 1. Who was the leader of the Normans during their early invasions of France?
Ⓐ William the Conqueror Ⓑ Rolf the Ganger Ⓒ Taillefer Ⓓ Harold
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Rolf the Ganger।
📘 Explanation: Rolf the Ganger (“Walker”) led the Normans into France, reaching as far as Paris.
❖ 2. Which river did the Normans push up under Hrolf the Ganger?
Ⓐ Thames Ⓑ Loire Ⓒ Seine Ⓓ Rhine
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Seine।
📘 Explanation: The Normans advanced up the Seine River during their invasion of France.
❖ 3. What land did the French grant the Normans after their invasion?
Ⓐ Aquitaine Ⓑ Normandy Ⓒ Brittany Ⓓ Gascony
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Normandy।
📘 Explanation: The French gave the Normans land in north-west France, later known as Normandy.
❖ 4. What language did the Normans adopt after settling in France?
Ⓐ Saxon Ⓑ French Ⓒ Latin Ⓓ Celtic
✔ Answer: Ⓑ French।
📘 Explanation: The Normans adopted French manners and the French language.
❖ 5. What was the unique quality of the Normans among northern peoples?
Ⓐ They remained barbarous Ⓑ They assimilated southern civilization Ⓒ They rejected Christianity Ⓓ They preserved Scandinavian culture
✔ Answer: Ⓑ They assimilated southern civilization।
📘 Explanation: The Normans quickly absorbed French culture and manners.
❖ 6. Which minstrel sang before the Battle of Hastings?
Ⓐ Layamon Ⓑ Taillefer Ⓒ Geoffrey of Monmouth Ⓓ Wace
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Taillefer।
📘 Explanation: Taillefer sang the Song of Roland while juggling his sword before the Norman army.
❖ 7. Which song did Taillefer sing at Hastings?
Ⓐ Song of Beowulf Ⓑ Song of Roland Ⓒ Song of Arthur Ⓓ Song of Alexander
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Song of Roland।
📘 Explanation: The Song of Roland symbolized Norman chivalric spirit and bravery.
❖ 8. What spirit did the Normans bring to England besides conquest?
Ⓐ Isolation Ⓑ Romance and song Ⓒ Lawlessness Ⓓ Roman culture
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Romance and song।
📘 Explanation: The Normans brought the youthful spirit of romance and song along with conquest.
❖ 9. What was the immediate effect of the Norman invasion on the Saxons?
Ⓐ Freedom Ⓑ Oppression and hardship Ⓒ Prosperity Ⓓ Equality
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Oppression and hardship।
📘 Explanation: The Norman rule brought strict laws, castles, and oppression over Saxons.
❖ 10. What architectural feature became widespread after Norman conquest?
Ⓐ Wooden huts Ⓑ Castles Ⓒ Glass houses Ⓓ Palaces
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Castles।
📘 Explanation: The Normans built strong castles across England to establish dominance.
❖ 11. Which replaced the Saxon churches under the Normans?
Ⓐ Wooden halls Ⓑ Splendid minsters Ⓒ Theatres Ⓓ Catacombs
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Splendid minsters।
📘 Explanation: The Normans replaced small Saxon churches with grand minsters.
❖ 12. What were preserved by Norman forest laws?
Ⓐ Bears Ⓑ Lions Ⓒ Deer Ⓓ Wolves
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Deer।
📘 Explanation: Harsh forest laws preserved the “tall deer,” loved by the king.
❖ 13. Which language became dominant in court and Parliament after 1066?
Ⓐ Saxon Ⓑ Latin Ⓒ French Ⓓ English
✔ Answer: Ⓒ French।
📘 Explanation: French was the sole language of court, Parliament, and law under the Normans.
❖ 14. Which chronicle survived in English after 1066?
Ⓐ Bede’s Chronicle Ⓑ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Ⓒ Norman Chronicle Ⓓ Geoffrey’s Chronicle
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle।
📘 Explanation: Only the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle continued in English after the conquest.
❖ 15. When did English begin to reappear as a literary language?
Ⓐ 1066 Ⓑ 1100 Ⓒ 1200 Ⓓ 1400
✔ Answer: Ⓒ 1200।
📘 Explanation: Around 1200, English re-emerged as a literary language.
❖ 16. What transformation had occurred to English by the 13th century?
Ⓐ It remained pure Saxon Ⓑ It became a changed tongue Ⓒ It disappeared Ⓓ It became Latin
✔ Answer: Ⓑ It became a changed tongue।
📘 Explanation: The reappearing English was no longer Anglo-Saxon but a simplified form.
❖ 17. What change simplified English grammar after Norman invasion?
Ⓐ Added inflections Ⓑ Removed inflections Ⓒ Used more Latin Ⓓ Adopted Greek
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Removed inflections।
📘 Explanation: English lost its old inflections and grammar became simplified.
❖ 18. What did English gain through French influence?
Ⓐ Simplicity only Ⓑ Vocabulary enrichment and flexibility Ⓒ No change Ⓓ Scandinavian elements
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Vocabulary enrichment and flexibility।
📘 Explanation: French enriched English vocabulary and made it flexible for expression.
❖ 19. By what century did English and French blend nearly completely?
Ⓐ 11th Ⓑ 12th Ⓒ 13th Ⓓ 14th
✔ Answer: Ⓓ 14th।
📘 Explanation: By the mid-14th century, English and French had fused into one language.
❖ 20. Who fixed the English language in its near-modern form?
Ⓐ Bede Ⓑ Layamon Ⓒ Chaucer Ⓓ Wace
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Chaucer।
📘 Explanation: Chaucer shaped and stabilized English into a form close to modern usage.
❖ 21. What new poetic form did the Normans introduce into England?
Ⓐ Epic poetry Ⓑ Metrical romance Ⓒ Alliterative verse Ⓓ Elegy
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Metrical romance।
📘 Explanation: The Normans introduced the highly popular metrical romance.
❖ 22. What were the chief themes of metrical romances?
Ⓐ Science and philosophy Ⓑ Knightly prowess, love, religion Ⓒ Agriculture Ⓓ Economics
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Knightly prowess, love, religion।
📘 Explanation: The romances revolved around chivalry, religion, and courtly love.
❖ 23. Which southern poets influenced romance with “woman worship”?
Ⓐ German minnesingers Ⓑ Provençal poets Ⓒ Greek poets Ⓓ Latin poets
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Provençal poets।
📘 Explanation: Provençal poets secularized the cult of Virgin Mary into woman-worship.
❖ 24. Who wrote Historia Bretonum?
Ⓐ Geoffrey of Monmouth Ⓑ Layamon Ⓒ Wace Ⓓ Rolle of Hampole
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Geoffrey of Monmouth।
📘 Explanation: Geoffrey of Monmouth compiled Arthurian legends in Historia Bretonum.
❖ 25. Which poet translated Geoffrey’s work into French verse?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Wace Ⓒ Layamon Ⓓ Thomas de Hales
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Wace।
📘 Explanation: Wace of Jersey translated Geoffrey’s Arthurian stories into French verse.
❖ 26. Who was the first writer of romance in English?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Layamon Ⓒ Wace Ⓓ Pearl Poet
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Layamon।
📘 Explanation: Layamon began romance writing in English with his translation and additions.
❖ 27. Which important additions did Layamon make to Arthurian legends?
Ⓐ The Trojan War Ⓑ Round Table & Isle of Avalon Ⓒ The Song of Roland Ⓓ Crusades
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Round Table & Isle of Avalon।
📘 Explanation: Layamon introduced the founding of the Round Table and Arthur’s journey to Avalon.
❖ 28. What was the typical source of English romances in 13th–14th centuries?
Ⓐ Original English tales Ⓑ French originals Ⓒ Greek epics Ⓓ Latin myths
✔ Answer: Ⓑ French originals।
📘 Explanation: Most English romances were free renderings from French models.
❖ 29. Which English romance is considered the finest of the period?
Ⓐ Morte d’Arthur Ⓑ Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight Ⓒ Bevis of Hampton Ⓓ Arthour and Merlin
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight।
📘 Explanation: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight is the best example of native English romance.
❖ 30. Around when was Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight written?
Ⓐ 1100–1120 Ⓑ 1200–1210 Ⓒ 1320–1330 Ⓓ 1400–1410
✔ Answer: Ⓒ 1320–1330।
📘 Explanation: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight was composed around 1320–1330.
❖ 31. Who is believed to be the author of Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Pearl Poet Ⓒ Layamon Ⓓ Wace
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Pearl Poet।
📘 Explanation: The unknown “Pearl Poet” also wrote Pearl, Purity, and Patience.
❖ 32. Which other works are attributed to the Pearl Poet?
Ⓐ Beowulf, Judith Ⓑ Pearl, Purity, Patience Ⓒ Roland, Arthur Ⓓ Troy Book, Orosius
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Pearl, Purity, Patience।
📘 Explanation: These are the known works of the Pearl Poet, besides Sir Gawayne.
❖ 33. What quality distinguishes Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight?
Ⓐ Satire Ⓑ Allegory and moral earnestness Ⓒ Epic grandeur Ⓓ Political tone
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Allegory and moral earnestness।
📘 Explanation: The poem is both a romance and an allegory with serious moral meaning.
❖ 34. Which new literary form appeared in the 13th century under Norman influence?
Ⓐ Ballads Ⓑ Allegory Ⓒ Miracle plays Ⓓ Histories
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Allegory।
📘 Explanation: Allegorical poetry developed, often blending moral and religious lessons.
❖ 35. What is the first allegorical poem in English literature?
Ⓐ Piers Plowman Ⓑ The Owl and the Nightingale Ⓒ Pearl Ⓓ Cursor Mundi
✔ Answer: Ⓑ The Owl and the Nightingale।
📘 Explanation: Written around 1200, it represents a debate between two birds.
❖ 36. What is the main theme of The Owl and the Nightingale?
Ⓐ Politics Ⓑ Love vs. Wisdom Ⓒ War vs. Peace Ⓓ Man vs. Nature
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Love vs. Wisdom।
📘 Explanation: The owl stands for wisdom, the nightingale for love, in a debate.
❖ 37. What long religious poem was written about 1300 in Northern England?
Ⓐ Piers Plowman Ⓑ Cursor Mundi Ⓒ Ancren Riwle Ⓓ Genesis B
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Cursor Mundi।
📘 Explanation: Cursor Mundi (Runner of the World) is a long Northern religious poem.
❖ 38. What language was Ancren Riwle originally written in?
Ⓐ French Ⓑ Latin Ⓒ English Ⓓ German
✔ Answer: Ⓐ French।
📘 Explanation: The Ancren Riwle (Rule of Anchoresses) was first written in French, then translated into English.
❖ 39. Who wrote the religious lyric “A Luve Ron”?
Ⓐ Layamon Ⓑ Thomas de Hales Ⓒ Rolle of Hampole Ⓓ Pearl Poet
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Thomas de Hales।
📘 Explanation: Thomas de Hales wrote this devotional lyric about 1250.
❖ 40. What is the theme of Thomas de Hales’ “A Luve Ron”?
Ⓐ Nature and war Ⓑ Christ as the true lover of the soul Ⓒ Satire on politics Ⓓ Praise of Arthur
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Christ as the true lover of the soul।
📘 Explanation: The poem contrasts earthly love with Christ’s eternal love.
❖ 41. Who was the religious writer from Yorkshire who lived c.1290–1349?
Ⓐ Pearl Poet Ⓑ Rolle of Hampole Ⓒ Layamon Ⓓ Chaucer
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Rolle of Hampole।
📘 Explanation: Rolle of Hampole was a mystical religious writer.
❖ 42. What is the title of Rolle of Hampole’s prose work?
Ⓐ Cursor Mundi Ⓑ Pricke of Conscience Ⓒ Ancren Riwle Ⓓ Vision of Piers
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Pricke of Conscience।
📘 Explanation: Rolle’s main prose work was Pricke of Conscience.
❖ 43. Which English religious prose was written for women recluses?
Ⓐ Ancren Riwle Ⓑ Pricke of Conscience Ⓒ Pearl Ⓓ The Owl and the Nightingale
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Ancren Riwle।
📘 Explanation: The Ancren Riwle guided anchoresses in religious life.
❖ 44. What literary form did the Normans first bring to England in drama?
Ⓐ Mystery and Miracle plays Ⓑ Comedy Ⓒ Tragedy Ⓓ Farce
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Mystery and Miracle plays।
📘 Explanation: Religious plays developed under Norman influence.
❖ 45. What was the subject of Mystery plays?
Ⓐ Political satire Ⓑ Bible stories Ⓒ Arthurian legends Ⓓ Roman history
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Bible stories।
📘 Explanation: Mystery plays dramatized Old and New Testament stories.
❖ 46. What was the subject of Miracle plays?
Ⓐ Saints’ lives and miracles Ⓑ Nature myths Ⓒ Satirical comedy Ⓓ Classical tales
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Saints’ lives and miracles।
📘 Explanation: Miracle plays focused on saints and their miraculous deeds.
❖ 47. What was the original language of Norman drama?
Ⓐ French Ⓑ English Ⓒ Latin Ⓓ Celtic
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Latin।
📘 Explanation: Early Norman religious drama was written in Latin.
❖ 48. In which language did drama later spread to the common people?
Ⓐ French Ⓑ English Ⓒ Celtic Ⓓ German
✔ Answer: Ⓑ English।
📘 Explanation: To reach the people, dramas gradually shifted into English.
❖ 49. What was the main purpose of early religious drama?
Ⓐ Entertainment only Ⓑ Teaching the Bible to common people Ⓒ Political propaganda Ⓓ Aristocratic amusement
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Teaching the Bible to common people।
📘 Explanation: Mystery and Miracle plays were educational in nature.
❖ 50. Which city became a chief center for early English religious drama?
Ⓐ London Ⓑ York Ⓒ Oxford Ⓓ Winchester
✔ Answer: Ⓑ York।
📘 Explanation: York was a central place for Mystery and Miracle plays.
❖ 51. What group often performed the early religious plays?
Ⓐ University students Ⓑ Clergy and guilds Ⓒ Kings’ soldiers Ⓓ Minstrels
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Clergy and guilds।
📘 Explanation: Clergy began the plays, later joined by town guilds.
❖ 52. Which element did the Normans add to religious drama?
Ⓐ Dance and satire Ⓑ Humor and secular scenes Ⓒ Epic grandeur Ⓓ Philosophy
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Humor and secular scenes।
📘 Explanation: Norman plays gradually included comic interludes and secular touches.
❖ 53. Which century saw the spread of Miracle plays across England?
Ⓐ 11th Ⓑ 12th Ⓒ 13th Ⓓ 14th
✔ Answer: Ⓒ 13th।
📘 Explanation: By the 13th century, Miracle plays were widely popular.
❖ 54. Which English play cycle is especially famous from this period?
Ⓐ The Chester Plays Ⓑ The Roman Plays Ⓒ The Canterbury Plays Ⓓ The Troy Plays
✔ Answer: Ⓐ The Chester Plays।
📘 Explanation: The Chester cycle of religious plays became well known.
❖ 55. Which other play cycle rivaled the Chester Plays?
Ⓐ Canterbury cycle Ⓑ York cycle Ⓒ Merlin cycle Ⓓ Avalon cycle
✔ Answer: Ⓑ York cycle।
📘 Explanation: The York cycle was another important set of Mystery plays.
❖ 56. What transition did drama undergo during Norman influence?
Ⓐ Religious to secular Ⓑ Epic to lyric Ⓒ Prose to poetry Ⓓ Romance to epic
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Religious to secular।
📘 Explanation: Over time, drama shifted from purely religious to including secular themes.
❖ 57. Which 14th-century writer later satirized the corruption of Miracle plays?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Wycliffe Ⓒ Langland Ⓓ Pearl Poet
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Langland।
📘 Explanation: William Langland in Piers Plowman criticized abuses in the church and plays.
❖ 58. What form of verse replaced Anglo-Saxon alliteration after the Norman conquest?
Ⓐ Rhyme Ⓑ Blank verse Ⓒ Hexameter Ⓓ Free verse
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Rhyme।
📘 Explanation: Norman influence popularized rhyme instead of alliteration.
❖ 59. Which quality distinguished Norman-French poetry from Anglo-Saxon poetry?
Ⓐ Warrior themes Ⓑ Religious mysticism Ⓒ Lightness, color, and romance Ⓓ Satire
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Lightness, color, and romance।
📘 Explanation: Norman poetry emphasized romance and brightness, unlike stern Saxon poetry.
❖ 60. What was the most significant long-term effect of the Norman-French period on English literature?
Ⓐ Rise of prose only Ⓑ Fusion of French and Saxon into modern English Ⓒ Decline of poetry Ⓓ Growth of Latin only
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Fusion of French and Saxon into modern English।
📘 Explanation: The period’s greatest result was the fusion of languages into modern English.
❖ 61. Which poetic device became dominant in English poetry after the Norman Conquest?
Ⓐ Alliteration Ⓑ Rhyme Ⓒ Free verse Ⓓ Blank verse
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Rhyme।
📘 Explanation: Norman-French influence replaced the Saxon use of alliteration with rhyme.
❖ 62. Which Saxon element survived in literature after the Norman Conquest?
Ⓐ Strong prose writing Ⓑ Light lyrical tone Ⓒ Courtly love Ⓓ Epic romance
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Strong prose writing।
📘 Explanation: Despite Norman poetry, the old Saxon prose tradition remained influential.
❖ 63. Which two qualities are contrasted between Saxon and Norman influence?
Ⓐ Prose and poetry Ⓑ Learning and satire Ⓒ Strength and grace Ⓓ Comedy and tragedy
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Strength and grace।
📘 Explanation: Saxon gave strength, Normans gave grace and refinement.
❖ 64. Which epic survived as a masterpiece of Saxon literature into the Norman era?
Ⓐ Roland Ⓑ Beowulf Ⓒ Sir Gawayne Ⓓ Piers Plowman
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Beowulf।
📘 Explanation: Beowulf remained a landmark from the Saxon heroic tradition.
❖ 65. Which two literatures fused to form English in the Norman-French period?
Ⓐ Latin and French Ⓑ Saxon and Norman Ⓒ Celtic and Norse Ⓓ Roman and Gothic
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Saxon and Norman।
📘 Explanation: Their fusion created the foundation of modern English literature.
❖ 66. Who translated Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae into Anglo-Norman French verse?
Ⓐ Layamon Ⓑ Wace Ⓒ Orm Ⓓ Pearl Poet
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Wace।
📘 Explanation: Wace wrote Roman de Brut in French verse based on Geoffrey’s work.
❖ 67. Who translated Wace’s Roman de Brut into English verse?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Orm Ⓒ Layamon Ⓓ Bede
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Layamon।
📘 Explanation: Layamon rendered Roman de Brut into English alliterative verse.
❖ 68. What is the significance of Layamon’s Brut?
Ⓐ First Arthurian romance in English Ⓑ First miracle play Ⓒ First English lyric Ⓓ First satire
✔ Answer: Ⓐ First Arthurian romance in English।
📘 Explanation: Layamon’s Brut introduced Arthurian legend into English literature.
❖ 69. What new subject did the Normans bring into English poetry?
Ⓐ Religious allegory Ⓑ Courtly love and chivalry Ⓒ Nature worship Ⓓ Satire of kings
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Courtly love and chivalry।
📘 Explanation: Norman-French poetry emphasized love, chivalry, and romance.
❖ 70. What are the two chief influences seen in early English lyrics?
Ⓐ Saxon melancholy and French gaiety Ⓑ Latin scholarship and satire Ⓒ Celtic myth and Norse saga Ⓓ Political satire and history
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Saxon melancholy and French gaiety।
📘 Explanation: English lyrics blended the sorrow of Saxons with Norman brightness.
❖ 71. Which famous early lyric begins “Sumer is icumen in”?
Ⓐ Cuckoo Song Ⓑ A Luve Ron Ⓒ The Seafarer Ⓓ The Wanderer
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Cuckoo Song।
📘 Explanation: This cheerful spring lyric celebrates nature and joy.
❖ 72. What is special about “Sumer is icumen in”?
Ⓐ It is the earliest surviving English drama Ⓑ It is the earliest English lyric in harmony Ⓒ It is the first Arthurian romance Ⓓ It is the first satire
✔ Answer: Ⓑ It is the earliest English lyric in harmony।
📘 Explanation: This lyric is famous as the earliest part-song in English.
❖ 73. Which language dominated learned and ecclesiastical writings during the Norman-French period?
Ⓐ English Ⓑ French Ⓒ Latin Ⓓ Celtic
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Latin।
📘 Explanation: Latin remained the language of the Church and learning.
❖ 74. Which language dominated courtly poetry in the Norman period?
Ⓐ English Ⓑ French Ⓒ Latin Ⓓ Saxon
✔ Answer: Ⓑ French।
📘 Explanation: French was the language of court poetry and romance.
❖ 75. Which language survived as the speech of common people?
Ⓐ French Ⓑ Saxon English Ⓒ Latin Ⓓ Norse
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Saxon English।
📘 Explanation: English persisted among the masses despite French dominance at court.
❖ 76. Which century saw English re-emerge as a literary language?
Ⓐ 11th Ⓑ 12th Ⓒ 13th Ⓓ 14th
✔ Answer: Ⓓ 14th।
📘 Explanation: By Chaucer’s time (14th century), English had become dominant again.
❖ 77. What historical event hastened the decline of French in England?
Ⓐ Black Death Ⓑ Hundred Years’ War Ⓒ Norman Conquest Ⓓ Viking invasions
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Hundred Years’ War।
📘 Explanation: The war with France lessened French prestige in England.
❖ 78. What work by Orm in the 12th century is an early specimen of Middle English verse?
Ⓐ Brut Ⓑ Ormulum Ⓒ Pearl Ⓓ Cursor Mundi
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Ormulum।
📘 Explanation: Orm’s Ormulum is a biblical paraphrase in Middle English verse.
❖ 79. Which quality marks the Ormulum?
Ⓐ Use of rhyme and strict meter Ⓑ Use of satire Ⓒ Use of allegory Ⓓ Use of humor
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Use of rhyme and strict meter।
📘 Explanation: Orm used rhyme and introduced strict metrical rules.
❖ 80. Who wrote the allegorical poem The Owl and the Nightingale?
Ⓐ Unknown poet of Dorset Ⓑ Orm Ⓒ Chaucer Ⓓ Layamon
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Unknown poet of Dorset।
📘 Explanation: This early allegory was written by an anonymous Dorset poet.
❖ 81. What form does The Owl and the Nightingale take?
Ⓐ Epic Ⓑ Debate poem Ⓒ Lyric Ⓓ Chronicle
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Debate poem।
📘 Explanation: It is a debate between two birds symbolizing wisdom and love.
❖ 82. What does the Owl symbolize in The Owl and the Nightingale?
Ⓐ Love Ⓑ Wisdom and morality Ⓒ Nature Ⓓ Humor
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Wisdom and morality।
📘 Explanation: The Owl stands for moral seriousness and wisdom.
❖ 83. What does the Nightingale symbolize in The Owl and the Nightingale?
Ⓐ Wisdom Ⓑ Love and joy Ⓒ Sorrow Ⓓ Faith
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Love and joy।
📘 Explanation: The Nightingale stands for beauty, love, and cheerfulness.
❖ 84. Which poem of about 1300 is a great religious work of the North?
Ⓐ Brut Ⓑ Cursor Mundi Ⓒ Owl and Nightingale Ⓓ Ormulum
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Cursor Mundi।
📘 Explanation: Cursor Mundi is a Northern poem telling Bible history in verse.
❖ 85. What does the title Cursor Mundi mean?
Ⓐ Rule of the World Ⓑ Runner of the World Ⓒ History of the World Ⓓ Creator of the World
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Runner of the World।
📘 Explanation: The title literally means “Runner of the World.”
❖ 86. Which writer is called the “first English mystic”?
Ⓐ Rolle of Hampole Ⓑ Thomas de Hales Ⓒ Pearl Poet Ⓓ Chaucer
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Rolle of Hampole।
📘 Explanation: Richard Rolle of Hampole is considered the first English mystic.
❖ 87. What is Rolle of Hampole’s best-known work?
Ⓐ Brut Ⓑ Ancren Riwle Ⓒ Pricke of Conscience Ⓓ Pearl
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Pricke of Conscience।
📘 Explanation: This long poem gives a vivid description of death and the Last Judgment.
❖ 88. Who wrote A Luve Ron about 1250?
Ⓐ Pearl Poet Ⓑ Thomas de Hales Ⓒ Rolle of Hampole Ⓓ Layamon
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Thomas de Hales।
📘 Explanation: Thomas de Hales wrote this devotional lyric to a nun.
❖ 89. What is the central message of A Luve Ron?
Ⓐ Satire on kings Ⓑ Christ is the eternal lover of the soul Ⓒ Joy in nature Ⓓ Wisdom vs. folly
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Christ is the eternal lover of the soul।
📘 Explanation: It contrasts worldly love with Christ’s spiritual love.
❖ 90. What was the chief purpose of Norman-French literature in England?
Ⓐ Political propaganda Ⓑ To unite French and Saxon culture Ⓒ To amuse kings only Ⓓ To revive Latin tradition
✔ Answer: Ⓑ To unite French and Saxon culture।
📘 Explanation: Its greatest role was blending Norman romance with Saxon strength.
📝 91. Which historical event marks the beginning of the Norman French period in English literature?
Ⓐ The Renaissance Ⓑ The Norman Conquest (1066) Ⓒ The Magna Carta Ⓓ The Hundred Years’ War
✔ Answer: Ⓑ The Norman Conquest (1066)।
🟦 Explanation: William the Conqueror’s victory introduced Norman French culture and language.
📝 92. Which language became the language of the court and aristocracy after 1066?
Ⓐ English Ⓑ Latin Ⓒ Norman French Ⓓ German
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Norman French।
🟦 Explanation: French dominated administration, while Latin was used in church and learning.
📝 93. Which language remained the language of the common people after the Norman Conquest?
Ⓐ Latin Ⓑ French Ⓒ English Ⓓ German
✔ Answer: Ⓒ English।
🟦 Explanation: Vernacular English continued among the common folk.
📝 94. What happened to Old English grammar under Norman French influence?
Ⓐ It became more complicated Ⓑ It simplified, losing many inflections Ⓒ It was unchanged Ⓓ It became Latinized
✔ Answer: Ⓑ It simplified, losing many inflections।
🟦 Explanation: English grammar became more analytic, with fixed word order.
📝 95. Which of the following is a key feature of the Norman French period?
Ⓐ Rise of alliterative poetry Ⓑ Influence of French vocabulary Ⓒ Latin becoming spoken language Ⓓ Printing press
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Influence of French vocabulary।
🟦 Explanation: Thousands of French words entered English (law, government, art).
📝 96. Which literary form was introduced from French models during this period?
Ⓐ Epic poetry Ⓑ Romance Ⓒ Drama Ⓓ Satire
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Romance।
🟦 Explanation: Courtly love and chivalric tales influenced Middle English literature.
📝 97. Who is considered the “father of English poetry” in the Norman French period?
Ⓐ Geoffrey Chaucer Ⓑ William Langland Ⓒ John Gower Ⓓ Thomas Malory
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Geoffrey Chaucer।
🟦 Explanation: Chaucer blended French, Italian, and classical influences into English.
📝 98. Which poem by Layamon is the earliest important work in Middle English?
Ⓐ Brut Ⓑ Confessio Amantis Ⓒ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Ⓓ Piers Plowman
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Brut।
🟦 Explanation: Written c.1200, it retells the story of Britain’s founding.
📝 99. Which genre became dominant under French influence?
Ⓐ Allegory Ⓑ Mystery plays Ⓒ Romance Ⓓ Elegy
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Romance।
🟦 Explanation: Tales of knights, courtly love, and adventure flourished.
📝 100. The “Ormulum,” an early Middle English text, is written in—
Ⓐ Alliterative verse Ⓑ Iambic pentameter Ⓒ Unrhymed verse with strict rules Ⓓ Prose
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Unrhymed verse with strict rules।
🟦 Explanation: Orm wrote religious homilies in a unique verse form.
📝 101. Which period saw the rise of dialectal diversity in English?
Ⓐ Anglo-Saxon Ⓑ Norman French Ⓒ Renaissance Ⓓ Romantic
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Norman French।
🟦 Explanation: Middle English had strong regional dialects (Northern, Midland, Southern).
📝 102. Which work by Geoffrey of Monmouth influenced Arthurian legends?
Ⓐ Historia Regum Britanniae Ⓑ Brut Ⓒ Confessio Amantis Ⓓ Piers Plowman
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Historia Regum Britanniae।
🟦 Explanation: Written in Latin, it popularized King Arthur’s myth.
📝 103. Which poet wrote Piers Plowman?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Langland Ⓒ Gower Ⓓ Layamon
✔ Answer: Ⓑ Langland।
🟦 Explanation: An allegorical poem criticizing corruption and injustice.
📝 104. What was the main theme of courtly romances in the Norman French period?
Ⓐ Love and chivalry Ⓑ Religion Ⓒ Humour Ⓓ History
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Love and chivalry।
🟦 Explanation: Romances idealized knights and noble love.
📝 105. Who wrote Confessio Amantis?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Langland Ⓒ Gower Ⓓ Malory
✔ Answer: Ⓒ Gower।
🟦 Explanation: A long poem combining moral lessons with storytelling.
📝 106. What type of literature gained popularity through French influence?
Ⓐ Allegorical poetry and romances Ⓑ Epics only Ⓒ Satirical novels Ⓓ Drama only
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Allegorical poetry and romances।
🟦 Explanation: Allegory became central in moral and religious writing.
📝 107. Which poem is considered the greatest alliterative romance of Middle English?
Ⓐ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Ⓑ Brut Ⓒ Beowulf Ⓓ Confessio Amantis
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight।
🟦 Explanation: A masterpiece of alliterative revival and Arthurian romance.
📝 108. Which writer is linked with the “Alliterative Revival” in the 14th century?
Ⓐ The Gawain Poet Ⓑ Chaucer Ⓒ Gower Ⓓ Langland
✔ Answer: Ⓐ The Gawain Poet।
🟦 Explanation: His works revived Old English alliterative style.
📝 109. What literary device became popular in Middle English poetry under French influence?
Ⓐ Rhyme Ⓑ Kennings Ⓒ Alliteration only Ⓓ Blank verse
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Rhyme।
🟦 Explanation: French rhyme replaced Old English alliterative tradition.
📝 110. Which Norman French text is the earliest surviving English prose work on history?
Ⓐ Brut Ⓑ Historia Regum Britanniae Ⓒ Ormulum Ⓓ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Brut।
🟦 Explanation: Layamon’s Brut is an early Middle English chronicle.
📝 111. Which is known as the “first English Bible translation”?
Ⓐ Wycliffe’s Bible Ⓑ Vulgate Ⓒ Ormulum Ⓓ Brut
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Wycliffe’s Bible।
🟦 Explanation: John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English (1380s).
📝 112. The Norman French period saw the growth of—
Ⓐ National consciousness Ⓑ French dominance only Ⓒ Latin-only literature Ⓓ Religious plays only
✔ Answer: Ⓐ National consciousness।
🟦 Explanation: Gradually English re-emerged as the language of nation and literature.
📝 113. Who is known as the “poet of love” in Middle English?
Ⓐ Chaucer Ⓑ Langland Ⓒ Gower Ⓓ The Pearl Poet
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Chaucer।
🟦 Explanation: His poetry blends realism, humour, and courtly love.
📝 114. Which Middle English poet is sometimes called “the moral Gower”?
Ⓐ John Gower Ⓑ Langland Ⓒ Chaucer Ⓓ Malory
✔ Answer: Ⓐ John Gower।
🟦 Explanation: His works carry strong moral and didactic tones.
📝 115. Which poet is associated with allegorical dream visions like Pearl?
Ⓐ The Pearl Poet Ⓑ Chaucer Ⓒ Gower Ⓓ Langland
✔ Answer: Ⓐ The Pearl Poet।
🟦 Explanation: Author of Pearl, Patience, Cleanness, and Sir Gawain.
📝 116. In which century did English regain prestige as a literary language?
Ⓐ 12th Ⓑ 13th Ⓒ 14th Ⓓ 15th
✔ Answer: Ⓒ 14th century।
🟦 Explanation: Chaucer and others raised English to a literary standard.
📝 117. What influence did French have on English vocabulary?
Ⓐ Added words of law, administration, and culture Ⓑ Reduced vocabulary Ⓒ Removed Old English words Ⓓ Only added slang
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Added words of law, administration, and culture।
🟦 Explanation: French enriched English with official and cultural terms.
📝 118. Which poem uses the allegory of a ploughman to criticize society?
Ⓐ Piers Plowman Ⓑ Brut Ⓒ Pearl Ⓓ Sir Gawain
✔ Answer: Ⓐ Piers Plowman।
🟦 Explanation: Langland’s poem is a social and moral allegory.
📝 119. Which French influence changed English poetic form most strongly?
Ⓐ The use of rhyme and stanza forms Ⓑ Use of kennings Ⓒ Heavy alliteration Ⓓ Free verse
✔ Answer: Ⓐ The use of rhyme and stanza forms।
🟦 Explanation: French rhyme schemes transformed English verse.
📝 120. Why is the Norman French period important in English literary history?
Ⓐ It introduced French vocabulary, rhyme, and romance Ⓑ It created Renaissance drama Ⓒ It developed printing press Ⓓ It revived classical Greek
✔ Answer: Ⓐ It introduced French vocabulary, rhyme, and romance।
🟦 Explanation: This period marks the blending of Anglo-Saxon, French, and Latin influences into Middle English.
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