2022
2021
2020
Q1: Give a brief character sketch of Lily Brisco as presented in the novel To the Lighthouse.
Lilly Brisco is one of the guests in To the Lighthouse. She is a painter. From the beginning of the novel till the end, Lily preoccupies herself with painting. View Source
Q2: Why is Mr. Morel despised by his wife?
Paul Morel is hated by Gertrude on account of his excessive drinking, his being poor and his unurbane language.
Q3: What was the reality of the beast in Lord of the Flies?
The reality of the beast in Lord of the Flies was Simons who was confused for the beast by the pack of Jack. He is killed. Another mistaken instance of the beast is observed when the boys consider the dead body of the piolet, a beast. View Source
Q4: State the dominant traits of Jack in Lord of the Flies?
Jack, the opponent to Ralph, is a determined, jealous and power-seeking boy. He is violent by temperament and knows the art of taming small boys for his own purposes. View Source
Q5: What are some of the major themes in the literary works of D.H. Lawrence?
The major themes in the novels written by D. H. Lawrence are issues related to emotional as well as mental health, relationships and sexuality. Source
Q6: Why was Ikemefuna killed in the novel Things Fall Apart?
Ikemefuna is killed because his killing was part of a promise and treaty. Also, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna in order to prove his manhood before his tribe.
Q7: Define stream of consciousness.
Stream of Consciousness is a literary technique in which the events are narrated as they appear in one's mind without any chronological sequence.
Q8: How is Nwoye different from his father in Things Fall Apart?
Novoye is entirely different from his father because he inherits his traits from his grandfather Unoka. He is usually a weak-hearted person but when Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna, Novoye is utterly dismayed by his father and joins missionaries to show his vengeance. Source
Q9: What were the last words of Kurtz? What do they mean?
The last words of Kurtz were "Horror! Horror! " Kurtz basically accepted his demonic endeavours in the dark continent of Africa and accepted the horrors associated with it.
Q10: Who is the narrator in Heart of Darkness?
We do not know much about the un-named narrator who opens the novel but the second narrator who tells us about his adventures in Congo and in the Sea. He is Marlow and he is said to be the voice of Conrad.
2019
Q1: How did Marlow manage to get a job with the Belgian company?
Marlow managed to get the job as a captain in the Belgian company through the influence of his aunt.
Q2: What is the name of the ship in the Thames where Marlow tells his story?
The name of the ship is The Nellie. Source
Q3: What is the reason of the inhibited relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Morel?
Already answered
Q4: How would you describe the relationship between Paul and Miriam?
Paul Miriam relationship is a complex affair. On one side, we see Miriam showing her desire to learn and be educated through Paul. While Paul is agitated by her aggressive "chastity".
Q5: Who is Ikemefuna in Things Fall Apart?
Ikemefuna is a fifteen years old boy who is given to the Umofia tribe as a sacrifice for killing a woman from Umofia. Source
Q6: How is Mrs. Ramsay's outlook towards life different from that of her husband in To the lighthouse?
Mrs. Ramsay's outlook for life is much different and even opposite to what we observe through Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay is utterly realistic and does not want any mingling of *hopeful" lie in it. While Mrs. Ramsay can consider adding a hopeful lie to console someone.
Q7: Give a brief character sketch of Mr. Tansley.
Charles Tansley is the student of Mr. Ramsay who is invited as a guest. He remains insecure of his humble background. Although Mrs. Ramsay do not like him, still her magic works on him and he begins to like her. Source
Q8: Who are the Littluns in Lord of the Flies?
Littluns are a group of small kids. They represent helpless members of a society. They are used to gain more authoritative power. Source
Q9: Give some traits of the character of Ralph in Lord of the Flies.
Ralph is the voice of wisdom, order and authority. He is elected as the leader of the boys in the beginning. He is sensible, caring, wise and authoritative. Source
Q10: Why does Okonkwo kill himself in Things Fall Apart?
Okonkwo kills himself because of the grief of betrayal from the members of his tribe who refused to fight against the Englishmen. Out of his stern values of manhood, Okonkwo commits suicide.
2018
Q1: Describe the picture painted by Kurtz in Africa.
Kurtz painted a picture at the front of a house that depicted a lady carrying a torch. Here, the torch has been used as a symbol of spreading the light of civilization by Kurtz. Source
Q2: What do the two ladies Marlow met at Brussels symbolize?
Two knitting women whom Marlow saw in Brussels were knitting through a black thread. The two women symbolize for the Fates in Greek mythology, spinning their thread of life and cut it at their own will. Source
Q3: What is 'The Bottoms' in 'Sons and Lovers' by D. H. Lawrence?
The Bottoms is a neighbouring place of Bestwood. This place is particularly known for the residence of the Morel family. Source
Q4: Describe the setting of the novel 'Sons and Lovers' by D. H. Lawrence.
The novel mostly revolves around Bestwood, the mining area and the Willy Farms in which Paul, for the first time, eye-witnesses his beloved for the first time.
Q5: What is the age of Lily Briscoe when the novel opens?
Lily is 34 years old when the novel opens.
Q6: How did Prue Ramsay die?
Prue Ramsay died during a disease while giving birth to her child.
Q7: When and why was the Feast of the New Yam held?
The Feast of the New Yam was held before harvest to honour the goddess of the earth. Source
Q8: What advice was given to Okonkwo by Ezeudu?
Ezeudu, a village elder gave advice to Okonkwo to abstain from killing Ikemefuna because the boy regarded Okonkwo as his father. Source
Q9: What is the role of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
The role of Simon in Lord of the Flies is to depict the religious saintness of truth and light.
Q10: When and where was William Golding born?
William Golding was born in Newquay, United Kingdom in 1911.
2017
Q1: What is the symbolic significance of the voyage of Marlow into the heart of Africa?
According to some critical estimates, the journey of Marlow into the darkness of Congo can be considered as a symbol of the redemption of evil or sin through the light of goodness (mainly for Kurtz). Source
Q2: How does Marlow dispose of the African helmsman's body?
Marlow disposes the dead body of the helmsman to the side of a ship. His action results in the morning of the cannibals for the loss of meal. Source
Q3: How did Mrs. Morel die?
Gertrude Morel was given a medicine by her children that ended her life because her children, especially her son could not see her in pain.
Q4: Why does Paul waver in his feelings toward Miriam?
Paul puts a halt to his feelings towards Miriam due to his close association with his mother and Miriam's inability to fulfil his sexual needs.
Q5: Who is William Bankes in To The Lighthouse?
William Bankes is a friend of Mr. Ramsay who knows about Mr. Ramsay from his childhood. He has no children and is a widower. He befriends Lily Briscoe while inwardly, he 'adores' Mrs. Ramsay. View Source
Q6: Write the title of the three sections in to The Lighthouse.
The sections in To the Lighthouse are written below:
- The Window
- Time Passes
- To the Lighthouse
Q7: What was the most significant trait of Mr. Brown in Things Fall Apart?
Mr. Brown was the first white Englishman who began Christianity missions in Umophia. He was a kind person who paid respect to the religious customs of the Umophian people than the new missionary leader. Source
Q8: What does Okonkwo think about his son Novoye?
Okonkwo thinks that his son lacks the traits of masculinity.
Q9: What is the use of Conch for the boys is Lord of the Flies?
Conch has been used as an indication for the call of assembling the lost boys and children in the lost island. The Conch shell also symbolizes for power and authority.
Q10: Who killed Simon?
The pack of Jack killed Simon by taking him for the 'concerned' terrifying beast.
2016
Q1: Why was Marlow’s aunt triumphant?
Marlowe's aunt was triumphant on the colonization of the Congo. She believed that the savages were being made civilized through the colonial power of Europe. Source
Q2: What was Marlow referring to when he said that there was a touch of insanity in the proceeding?
Marlowe was referring to the captivating madness of the African jungle which lured the colonizing powers to lose their minds and their plung into "the horror". Source
Q3: What advice did Okonkwo give to Ezinma when they were in Mbanta?
Okonkwo advised his daughter not to follow the footsteps of Novoye by changing the religion. He also asked her not to marry until they return Umophia. Source
Q4: What were the name given to the first two children, Okonkwo got in Mbanta?
The first child was given the name of Nneka which meant "Mother is Supreme" while the second child was named Nwofia which translated as "Born in the Wilderness".
Q5: Who were the important intellectuals included in the Bloomsbury group?
The important intellectuals who were included in the Bloomsbury group were Virginia Woolf, her husband Leonard Woolf, a biographer Lytton Strachey, Virginia's sister Vanessa Bell.
Q6: After Mrs. Ramsay’s death, who seemed to be the uniting force in “To The Lighthouse"?
It was Lily Briscoe who seemed to be a uniting force after the death of Mrs. Ramsay because she rather kept the presence of Mrs. Ramsay through her painting.
Q7: What was Ralph’s father?
According to Ralph, his father was a commander in the navy. He thought that his father would come there and rescue them as he took a leave from his job. Source
Q8: What was the significance of the shell according to Piggy?
According to Piggy, the conch shell can serve as a tool to 'call an assembly' of the lost boys. Piggy sees the Conch as a tool of democratic gathering.
Q9: What did Mrs. Morel discover about her husband after marriage?
After marriage, Gertrude Morel discovered that her husband had not paid rent of the house and did not clear the bill of the furniture. She also learned that her husband was badly in debt and he was not a wealthy person.
Q10: How did Mrs. Morel die?
Already answered
2015
Q1: Why does the Russian nurse Kurtz through two illnesses in Heart of Darkness?
The Russian harlequin nurses Kurtz during his illness because he is a great admirer of Kurtz. According to him, Kurtz is civilizing the African Natives. Therefore, he does not want to let Kurtz die.
Q2: Why does Kurtz give Marlow papers before he dies?
Kurtz gives Marlow some confidential papers to be kept safe because Kurtz does not want his leftovers to be occupied by the manager. More Short Questions
Q3: What first job did William get?
William got appointment as a clerk in London at first. Source
Q4: Why doesn’t Mrs. Morel get any help from her in-laws?
Gertrude Morel does not seek financial aid from her in-laws because of their dismal financial conditions as her in-laws already think that Morels are leading a good financial life. Source
Q5: List the name of three sections of To the Lighthouse.
See Q6 in 2017.
Q6: How did the Children feel about Mr. Tansley?
Children felt as if Mr. Tansley was in a miserable condition or a "sarcastic brut". Children used to mock Mr. Tansley because of his funny appearance. Source
Q7: Concisely describe the argument of boys regarding beast in Lord of the Flies?
Kindly refer to Q3 in 2020
Q8: Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of the beast?
Simon is the only one in the pack who uses his 'thinking hat' for the critical evaluation of certain situations. Therefore, he is quick to think of the doubt because he does not deem its presence logical. Source
Q9: Why doesn’t Okonkwo have any patience with his father in Things Fall Apart?
Okonkwo does not show any patience for his father due to his excessive drinking and lack of masculine traits.
Q10: Evaluate Okonkwo’s reputation in the nine villages of Umuofia.
Okonkwo is known as a powerful person who is good at wrestling. He once threw a seven year champion Amalinze the Cat which further increased his reputation as a strong wrestler. Source
