Are you a classic literature whiz? Find out with this quiz  

Over the course of numerous centuries, the field of literature and writing has undergone numerous evolutions. A prolific variety of new genres and styles of writing have emerged over time, all appealing to different types of readers. However, one genre that has stood the test of time and stuck around is that of classic literature. Even today, people of all ages and from all walks of life embrace classics, which are also an integral part of school syllabi. If you think you are a classic literature whiz, take this quiz to test your smarts. 

Q1. Which European city was James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ set in? 

1. London 

2. Madrid 

3. Dublin 

4. Glasgow 

Q2. In C.S. Lewis children’s classic ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ series, which object served as a portal to Narnia? 

1. Bookshelf 

2. Armchair 

3. Desk 

4. Wardrobe 

Q3. Which one of Shakespeare’s iconic plays inspired the story behind Disney’s ‘The Lion King’? 

1. Hamlet 

2. Othello 

3. Macbeth 

4. King Lear 

Q4. The American classic ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ by John Steinbeck centres around a family of tenant farmers during which of the following movements in the United States? 

1. The Civil War 

2. The Gold Rush 

3. The Civil Rights Movement 

4. The Great Depression 

Q5. Which author wrote the classic political satire ‘Animal Farm’? 

1. A.A Milne 

2. George Orwell 

3. F. Scott Fitzgerald 

4. James Joyce 

ANSWERS 

Q1. (c) 
James Joyce, although a prolific author, is most known for his seminal book ‘Ulysses’ which was published in the year 1922. One of the most distinctive features of this book was the fact that it was set in and immediately around Ireland’s capital city of Dublin, with all events occurring on one single day. Thus, the entire plot unfolds over the course of a single day, June 16, 1904. 

Q2. (d) 
C.S. Lewis’ series titled ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ is well-loved by young readers all over the world. It follows a group of four siblings who enter the mystical world of Narnia through an old wardrobe. Here, they come to realise that this event was fated for them, and they must unite with King Aslan to defeat the evil queen. 

Q3. (a) 
The popular Disney kids’ film ‘The Lion King’ is actually an adaptation of Shakespeare’s popular play, Hamlet. Both narratives feature a similar plot line, however with a handful of different twists and turns. One striking similarity is that both stories portray the uncle as a villain, King Claudius in ‘Hamlet’ and Scar in ‘The Lion King.’ 

Q4. (d) 
John Steinbeck’s seminal novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ is hailed to be one of his best works. It follows the journey of displaced tenant farmers who are finding their way through Depression-hit America. It is a stark portrayal of what kinds of struggles working class Americans had to face during this period in history. 

Q5. (b) 
Published in 1945, ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell is a satirical allegorical novel with an underlying political message. Considered to be one of Orwell’s greatest works alongside ‘1984’, it narrates the story of a group of farm animals who launch a rebellion against their human farmer with the aim of creating a society which guarantees them freedom, equality and happiness.