HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGES

*****
ANSWER KEYS FOR

20 TESTS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

(Oct, 2019)

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 1
1. What is an epic? Is “The song of Beowulf” an epic? What is it about?
- An epic is a long poem written in ancient time which tells about the most
remarkable events of a people’s history and the deed of one or more heroic
personages.
- The song of Beowulf is an epic.
- It is about the historical past of the land from which the Angles, Saxons and Jutes
came. Beowulf tells of some events from a people’s history, sings the heroic deeds
of a man, his courage and desire of justice, his love for his people and self-sacrifice
for the sake of his country.
2. How do you think that the characters of Romeo and Juliet influenced the
outcome of the play?
- Romeo and Juliet are very young and emotional. They are also deeply in love
with one another. Because of this, they kill themselves when each thinks that the
other is dead. Despite Juliet’s level-headedness, she still gives in to her emotions at
the very end of the play. If the two characters were different, perhaps less
emotional, then the whole tragedy wouldn’t have occurred.
3. Why do you think Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter throughout the
passage you’ve learnt?
I think that Shakespeare used iambic pentameter in this passage because it’s

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common and easy rhythm to use. It makes the speech seem natural and believable.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 2
1. What is a romance, a fabliau, a bestiary? In what languages were they
written?
- A romance tells of love and adventure, and expresses the ideal of knighthood in
feudal society. It is written in French.
- A fabliau is a funny story about townspeople. It is written in Anglo-Saxon
language.
- A bestiary is story in which the characters are animals. It is written in Anglo-
Saxon language
2. What was innovative about the play “Romeo and Juliet?
- It used love as the subject of strategy.

3. Can the play "Romeo and Juliet" make sense in any time or place? Why?
I think that the story can make sense in any time or place. The themes of young
love, forbidden love, and feuding families work in a variety of times and places.
This has been proven by numerous adaptations that have been made of the play.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 3
1. Who was the representative of the first period of English humanist literature?
What did he write?
Thomas More. He wrote Utopia. It is a story about an imaginary island where all
people are equal and free. Private property here has been replaced by public
ownership. Physical labor is combined with intellectual occupation. There is no

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money on the island because people work and get equal pay for their labor. It was
the first literary work that conveyed the idea of communism.
2. The original title of Robinson Crusoe was very long. Why do you think that
the title of the book was changed? What is good and bad about a long title of a
book?
- The title was changed because it was too long to remember. It was easier to
have a book with a shorter title. Additionally, the author wants to focus on
the main character Crusoe.
- With a longer title, people can learn more about the book without reading it.
With a shorter title it is easier to remember and say the name of the book.

3. Say something about the island in the story “Robinson Crusoe”.

- The island is near the mouth of the Orinoco River in South America. This
is very close to the Equator, meaning that the island is tropical and hot. It
has shade, fresh water. It is hilly with lots of vegetation, goats and other
animals.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 4
1. What did the Enlighteners defend?
The Enlighteners defended the interests of the common people: craftsmen,
tradesmen, and peasants. Their criticism was directed against social inequality,
religious hypocrisy as well as the immorality of aristocracy.
2. Say something about the character Robinson Crusoe.
- Independent, adventurous
- Be separated from friends and family in a shipwreck
- Arrogant, feels superior to others, laughs at others’ naïve beliefs
3. What kind of words did the author use to create the mood in the extracted

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chapter? Give some examples.
- The author uses the words that heighten the readers’ sense of fear.
- EX: terrified, frightened, exceedingly surprised, confused, out of myself…

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 5
1. What was the central problem in the Enlightenment ideology?
- The central problem in the Enlightenment ideology was that of man and his
nature. The Enlighteners believed in reasons as well as in man’s inborn goodness.
They rejected the religious idea of the sinful nature of man. Vice in people, they
thought, was due to the miserable life conditions which could be changed by force
of reason. They considered it their duty to enlighten people to help them see the
roots of evil and the ways of social reformation. The Enlighteners also believed in
the powerful educational values of art.
2. Say something about the character Friday.
- A local man, be separated from friends and family
- Naïve, pure
- Open and loyal
3. What source of material did Daniel Defoe get for the novel Robinson Crusoe?
- True events in a true story
- The true sailor named Alexander Selkirk: young, went to the sea, stranded
one island, kept goats for meat and milk, raised a cat, lived on the island for
4 years, rescued by an English ship

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 ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 6
1. What were the two trends among English Enlighteners?
Trend 1: The moderates spoke in defense of the existing order, considering
that a few reforms were enough to improve it. They were represented in literature
by Daniel Defoe, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele…
Trend 2: The radicals wanted more democracy in the ruling of the country.
They defended the interests of the exploited masses. The most outstanding
representatives were Jonathan Swift, Henry Fielding, Oliver Goldsmith…
2. What is the purpose of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet?
The so-called balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet is probably Shakespeare’s most
famous single scene, and no wonder as it’s the one where Romeo and Juliet, at
night, passionately declare their love for each other and resolve to marry in spite of
the feud between their families.
3. In the play, why does Romeo have to leave Verona?
- Because he killed Juliet’s cousin Tybalt

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 7
1. How long did the Romanticism in English literature last?
The period of Romanticism covers approximately 30 years, beginning from the last
decade of the 18th century and continuing up to the 1830s.
2. Let’s talk about Robinson Crusoe. When seeing the footprint, what does
Crusoe think people will do with him?

- He thinks people will find him, destroy his crops and kills his goats

3. What do the attitudes of Crusoe and Friday represent?

Crusoe represents the arrogant attitudes that many Europeans had toward the native

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peoples of different places. Friday represents the natural innocence and goodness
of humankind in its natural state.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 8
1. When did the history of American literature really begin? Why?
The history of American literature really began with the advent of romanticism in
the 19th century because that was when the American romanticism American
literature started its history in the colonial revolutionary period with accounts of
discoveries and explorations in American that frequently display the characteristics
of Elizabethan literary style in England.
2. Why are the following titles not suitable for the novel Robinson Crusoe?
- An Uninhabited Island
- The Great River of Oroonoque
- Shipwreck
- Delivered by Pirates

- An Uninhabited Island: once Crusoe arrives, the island is no longer

uninhabited.
- The Great River of Oroonoque: the book has nothing to do with the river.
- Shipwreck: The shipwreck is just the beginning of Crusoe’s adventure.
- Delivered by Pirates: This is how the story ends.
3. Say something about the personalities of Crusoe and Friday. How are they
the same and how are they different?
- Both characters are separated from families and friends.
- While Crusoe is arrogant, Friday is naïve and pure. Crusoe laughs at Friday’s
often simple ideas and worldview. Crusoe feels as though he is better than Friday
and that Friday deserves to be treated more poorly than Crusoe. Friday, however, is
very loyal to Crusoe and would rather die than be separated from him.

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 ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 9
1. What were the most common beliefs of English writers in the seventies of
the 19th century?
Most writers on social problems believed that science and science alone will sweep
away all human misery and bring civilization to all. Men of science were greatly
admired. They were invited to speak in public halls and express their opinion on all
kinds of subjects.
2. Do you think Crusoe wants to meet another person? Why or why not?
It does not seem like Crusoe wants to meet another person. He assumes that the
person will kill him and destroy all of his crops and animals. He does not think that
the person will be nice. So, at least in this passage, it does not seem like that
Crusoe wants to meet another person at all.
3. Why do you think Crusoe is nervous about the footprint?
Crusoe is nervous about the footprint because he does not know who made it. He
just thinks that it’s someone unfriendly, though he doesn’t really know who. Since
he hasn’t seen anyone in so long, it startles and scares him to see evidence of
another person.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 10

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 1. What influences did the Industrial revolution in England and French
Bourgeois Revolution have on the writers in England?
The Industrial Revolution in England and the French Bourgeois revolution had a
great influence on the cultural life of the country. In addition to the problems that
their European contemporaries were facing, English writers of the period had to
find answers to those that arose in their own country, such as the growth of
industry, the rising working class movement and the final disappearance of the
class of peasantry.
2. Say briefly about the main events in the plot of “The Time Machine” by
Wells.
- A man builds a time machine and travels to the future.
- He sees the 2 species: the Eloi living on the ground and the Morlocks living
under ground. The Morlocks eat the Eloi.
- The Eloi and the Morlocks alomost have lost their humanity.
- Next he goes forward millions of years when the sun is dying. There is no sign of
civilization and the only animals he sees are giant white butterflies and huge red
crabs.
- He returns home and tells his friends but no one believes him. He disappears in
the time machine again any never comes back.
3. What are the Eloi like and where does the time traveller believe the Eloi
came from according to his second theory?
- The Eloi are beautiful, childlike, fragile, unintelligent and small. They eat fruit
and wear clothes. They came from the rich upper class.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 11

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 1. What did some critics say about American romanticism?
They explained the appearance of American romanticism as being closely
attached to disappointment with the results of the Revolution. The ideals of liberty,
equality and pursuit of happiness for all were realized but only as a privilege for
few. Poets and writers being repulsed by the dishonest practice of businessmen,
turned to the “common men”, romanticized them or sought beauty and happiness
in the primitive life of American Indians.
2. Let’s talk about “The Time Machine”. What are the Morlocks like and
where does the time traveller believe they came from according to his second
theory?

- The Morlocks are ape-like and intelligent. They go naked and eat meat.
They are compared to rats. They came from the working class.

3. What are some differences between the Eloi and the Morlocks and why
are these differences important?
- The Eloi are beautiful, childlike, fragile, unintelligent and small.
- The Morlocks are ape-like and intelligent. They go naked and eat meat.
They are compared to rats
- These differences are important because they represent a picture of life in
the future. Both are necessary in the world that has evolved. The situation between
the two species raises some interesting questions about what it means to be human.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 12

1. What were three themes stood out prominently in 20th century American
literature?

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 “Get-rich-quick” theme, war theme and the Negro theme
2. Explain why the theme of passivity is very important in the novel “The
Time Machine” by Wells.
- Passivity is the most important theme. The Eloi are not helpless and fragile
because they were passive. Their lives were so easy that they forgot how to do
everything. They did not have any challenges, so they did not do anything. This
eventually leads to their downfall in the hand of the Morlocks. This can be
interpreted that Wells is warning against passivity and encouraging people to stay
active in some way so as not to lose intellectual abilities.

3. Why was “The Time Machine” by Well hailed as a masterpiece from its
first release?
The time machine was hailed a masterpiece from its first release because
written 36 years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, it takes
as law his theory of evolution of the human race. Like many of other Wells’ works,
it contains both predictions about the future and critical commentary on the social
and political structures that existed in Wells’ own time.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 13

1. What were the three periods of English Enlightenment in literature?

Who were representatives of each period?
- Early Enlightenment (1688-1740): Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift.
- Mature Enlightenment (1740-1750): Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding,
Tobias Smollett.
- Late Enlightenment (1750-1780): Oliver Goldsmith, Lawrence Sterne,
Richard Sheridan.

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 2. Identify three similes and three metaphors in the passage from Romeo and
Juliet
- 3 similes: the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars/ As daylight
doth a lamp; thou art as glorious to this night…/As is winged messenger of
heaven; it is like an enemy to thee
- 3 metaphors: Juliet as the sun; bright angel; the orchard and walls are high
and hard to climb/ and the place death.
3. Pick one simile and explain what you think it means. Do the same for one
metaphor.
- Simile: “it is like an enemy to thee”. In this line. Romeo tells Juliet why he
has come and to hate his name; because it is Juliet’s “enemy”. Obviously, a
name can’t literally be an enemy, but his name indicates his family, whose
members are enemies of Juliet’s family, the Capulets.
- Metaphor: “Juliet is a sun”. Romeo says that Juliet is a sun, which we
know is impossible. However, he is emphasizing her brightness, her beauty,
and, also, her life and vibrancy. Unlike the moon, which is cold, the sun is
warm- hot, even. By comparing Juliet to the sun, Romeo comments both on
her beauty and on her liveliness.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 14

1. What were the peculiarities of Romanticism in England?

- The birth of a new class - the proletariat.
- The invention of the weaving machine.
- The job losses of weavers – misery.

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 - Weavers started to destroy machines.
- The introduction of more machines, the job losses of more people.
2. In the story “Robinson Crusoe”, how does Crusoe adapt to life on the desert
island?
- He adapts well
- Build his own home, return to the ship several times to bring back supplies
to the island
- Grow pants
- Raise animals
3. How does Robinson feel and react when he sees the footprint?
- At first, he feels surprised and then he feels threatened and scared
- He runs back to his home and can’t sleep because he worries about the
presence of someone else who can destroy and steal all his properties.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 15
1. What are the most prominent names in 20 th century American literature?
Name some of their works.
- Jack London (1876-1916): The Son of the Wolf, Love of Live, The Call of
the Wild, Sea-wolf, The War of Classes, The Iron Heel….
- Earnest Hemingway (1899-1961): The Sun also Rises, A Farewell to Arm,
For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea…
2. Give some information about the time traveller as one of the important
characters in “The Time Machine”.
- Although the time traveller is the main character, we do not even find out
his name. All we do discover is that he is an inventor and a scientist. The time
traveller can be a rich man who lives in a pleasant house outburst London. He

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maybe has a lot of time and money. This is the good condition for him to spend on
building the time machine.

3. What is the true relationship between the Eloi and the Morlocks? Give a
brief description of the two species.
- The Eloi are the Morlocks’ food.
- The Eloi are beautiful, childlike, fragile, unintelligent and small. They eat
fruit and wear clothes. They came from the rich upper class.
- The Morlocks are ape-like and intelligent. They go naked and eat meat.
They are compared to rats. They came from the working class.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 16
1. What was the belief of the good and the bad in American Romanticism?
The writers of American romanticism understood life as a struggle between
the good and the bad, and they insisted that virtue should defeat evil.
2. Give a brief description of the Over-world people in “The Time Machine”
and explain why the time traveller thinks people lost their intellectual abilities?
- The over world people has been assures of his wealth, the toiler assured of
his life and work. Very pleasant was their day as pleasant as the day of the cattle
on the field. Like cattle, they know no enemies and provided against no needs. Life
in their world is so easy in which there had been no unemployed problem, no
social questions.
- Because their life was so easy in which they had no needs and did not have
to work as well as had no problems, they lost their intellectual abilities.
3. What life does the time traveller see in the time of the dying sun?
- He sees no sign of civilization. The only animals he sees are giant white

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butterflies and huge red crabs.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 17
1. What were the two different types of writers in English Romanticism?
- Type 1: They were definitely revolutionary. They denied the existing
orders called upon the people to struggle for a better future, shared the people’s
desire for liberty and objected to colonial oppression. They supported the national
liberation wars on the continent against feudal reaction.
- Type 2: Though they first welcomed the French revolution and its slogan
of liberty, fraternity and equality, later abandoned revolutionary ideas. They turned
attention to nature and to the simple problems of life. They tried to avoid the
contradictions that were becoming so great in all the spheres of social life with the
development of capitalism. They looked back to patriarchal England and refused to
accept the progress of industry, they even called the government to forbid the
building of new factories which they considered the cause of the workers’
sufferings.
2. Give one example of an oxymoron and one example of olfactory imagery
in “Romeo and Juliet”.
- An example of an oxymoron is “she speaks yet she says nothing.” An
example of olfactory imagery is ”a rose/ By any other name would smell as
sweet”.
3. The poem that Shakespeare consulted had a longer title than his play.
Why do you think Shakespeare shortened it?
- I think that Shakespeare shortened the name of the play in order to
emphasize the characters and demonstrate that they are at the center of the

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 action in the play.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 18
1. What new tendencies were noticeable in the cultural life of England of the
14th century and where did they come from?
The scholastic Latin Church literature still ranked high, but a new spirit was
noticeable in the cultural life of the country. The new spirit was marked by
an optimism unknown to the Middle Ages. It was best reflected in the works
by Geoffrey Chaucer, the last poet of the Middle Ages and the first poet who
paved the way for English realistic literature, free of the influence of the
Church.
2. "O Romeo, O Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse
thy name." In these sentences, imperatives are used. What do these verbs tell us
about Juliet’s idea about love?
- Juliet says this in Act2, Scene 2 when Romeo overhears her as she speaks
on her balcony. Using imperative, otherwise known as commands, she tells
Romeo, who she thinks is absent, to forget about his father and to change his
name. In doing so, Juliet assumes control over Romeo’s future. She asks him
to leave his family and reject his entire heritage.
- By speaking this way ans using imperative verbs, Juliet signifies that she is
demanding and willing to embrace radical measures in order to be with
Romeo. Later in the same speech, she says that even if Romeo will not
change his name, she will change hers if he just promises to love her. Juliet’s
ideas of love are all-consuming and black and white. She assumes that
Romeo cannot love her if he is still connected to his family or she to hers.

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 She is willing to embrace extreme measures to be with her love
3. What stands in the way Romeo and Juliet getting married?
- Their family’s feud

ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 19
1. What was the peculiarity of the Enlightenment in England as compared
with that in France?
In England, the period of Enlightenment followed by the bourgeois
revolution while in other countries it came before the revolution (the French
bourgeois revolution took place at the end of the 18 th century). Therefore, the aims
of English Enlighteners were not so revolutionary as those of French
enlightenment.
2. Look at the following lines from the passage:
“…But soft, what light through your yonder window breaks?
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
I am too bold, ‘tis not to me she speaks…”
What is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables?
Most of the time, there’s one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed
syllable
3. Why is the setting less important in “Romeo and Juliet” than in other
works?
- In Shakespeare’s time, setting was not as important as it later theater. This
is because they did not have elaborate sets and special effects. The stage was
often bare, so setting was unnecessary and the story is what stood out.

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 ENGLISH LITERATURE
TEST 20
1. What did the authors in revolutionary period in America in the 19 th
century produce their works for? What were the most prominent names?
- They produced their works as tools to awaken American enthusiasm for
independence and to make the revolution advance to success.
- The most prominent names: Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Phillip
Freneau.
2. What are the main themes of “The Time Machine” by Wells? What
theme do you think is the most important and why?
- Three main themes: social class, technology and passivity.
- Passivity is the most important theme. The Eloi are not helpless and fragile
because they were passive. Their lives were so easy that they forgot how to do
everything. They did not have any challenges, so they did not do anything. This
eventually leads to their downfall in the hand of the Morlocks. This can be
interpreted that Wells is warning against passivity and encouraging people to stay
active in some way so as not to lose intellectual abilities.
3. What role do flowers play as an important symbol in the novel “The Time
Machine”?
- The flowers represent gratitude and tenderness, feelings of warmth
between people that make us human. That fact that the Eloi have it still, but the
Morlocks do not have it, makes the former more sympathetic than the latter.

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