Focus: Major Writers of Colonial American Literature (1607–1765)
This quiz focuses on influential writers from the early colonial period. It highlights figures such as John Smith, William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, Cotton Mather, and others. Their religious views, literary genres, and sociopolitical contexts will be tested in detail.
1. Who is considered the first notable American literary figure?
A. Anne Bradstreet
B. William Bradford
C. John Smith ✔️
D. Cotton Mather
2. What is the title of John Smith’s famous work promoting settlement in Virginia?
A. New Canaan
B. Of Plymouth Plantation
C. The Generall Historie of Virginia ✔️
D. The Puritan Mind
3. Anne Bradstreet is best remembered for her:
A. Political satire
B. Devotional poetry ✔️
C. Philosophical treatises
D. Travel writing
4. Which poet was America’s first published woman writer?
A. Mary Rowlandson
B. Anne Hutchinson
C. Anne Bradstreet ✔️
D. Mercy Otis Warren
5. What is the theme of most of Anne Bradstreet’s poetry?
A. Revolution and liberty
B. Exploration and trade
C. Family, religion, and personal struggle ✔️
D. Slavery and abolition
6. Which of the following best describes Puritan writing style?
A. Ornamental and rhetorical
B. Plain, simple, didactic ✔️
C. Satirical and ironic
D. Mythological and symbolic
7. Who wrote Of Plymouth Plantation?
A. Roger Williams
B. John Smith
C. William Bradford ✔️
D. Jonathan Edwards
8. What genre is Of Plymouth Plantation?
A. Epic poem
B. Travel memoir
C. Historical narrative ✔️
D. Philosophical dialogue
9. Edward Taylor is best known for his:
A. Political essays
B. Fire-and-brimstone sermons
C. Metaphysical poetry ✔️
D. Diaries
10. What is a major theme in Edward Taylor’s poetry?
A. Rebellion
B. Theocracy
C. Spiritual preparation ✔️
D. Nature worship
11. Which Colonial writer famously recorded her captivity by Native Americans?
A. Mercy Otis Warren
B. Anne Bradstreet
C. Mary Rowlandson ✔️
D. Phillis Wheatley
12. Mary Rowlandson’s narrative reflects what genre?
A. Spiritual autobiography
B. Captivity narrative ✔️
C. Gothic tale
D. Romantic fiction
13. Cotton Mather’s most famous historical work is:
A. The American Jeremiad
B. Magnalia Christi Americana ✔️
C. The Puritan Way
D. Salem and Beyond
14. Cotton Mather was a strong advocate of:
A. Enlightenment deism
B. Colonial rebellion
C. Puritan orthodoxy ✔️
D. Quaker mysticism
15. What was the primary purpose of Puritan literature?
A. Entertainment
B. Evangelism and moral instruction ✔️
C. Revolutionary activism
D. Economic persuasion
16. Which religious group had the most influence on early colonial literature?
A. Baptists
B. Catholics
C. Puritans ✔️
D. Episcopalians
17. Which poet used complex imagery and spiritual metaphor similar to John Donne?
A. Anne Bradstreet
B. Jonathan Edwards
C. Edward Taylor ✔️
D. Thomas Paine
18. The Bay Psalm Book was:
A. The first American history book
B. The first printed book in British America ✔️
C. A collection of sermons
D. A scientific treatise
19. Jonathan Edwards is best known for which sermon?
A. Liberty and the People
B. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God ✔️
C. Voices of America
D. The Colonial Mind
20. Edwards’ sermon is an example of:
A. Captivity narrative
B. Rational deism
C. Fire-and-brimstone preaching ✔️
D. Autobiographical confession
21. The main goal of Jonathan Edwards’ preaching was to:
A. Promote religious tolerance
B. Encourage revival and conversion ✔️
C. Argue against Calvinism
D. End slavery
22. John Winthrop’s “City upon a Hill” speech reflects which ideology?
A. Republicanism
B. Millennialism
C. Puritan exceptionalism ✔️
D. Enlightenment
23. Which of the following best defines the Jeremiad genre?
A. A utopian vision
B. A sermon condemning moral decline ✔️
C. A revolutionary manifesto
D. A diary of hardship
24. Roger Williams is best known for promoting:
A. Religious freedom ✔️
B. Total theocracy
C. Expansionism
D. Federalism
25. What was the purpose of most Puritan diaries and journals?
A. Record economic data
B. Political commentary
C. Examine the soul ✔️
D. Describe natural scenery
26. Which writer’s work is closely associated with the Salem witch trials?
A. Roger Williams
B. Cotton Mather ✔️
C. Anne Hutchinson
D. Thomas Hooker
27. Which Puritan belief is most visible in early sermons and poems?
A. Universalism
B. Predestination ✔️
C. Humanism
D. Romantic love
28. Anne Hutchinson was banished from Massachusetts for:
A. Witchcraft
B. Poetic satire
C. Religious dissent ✔️
D. Political rebellion
29. Who argued for Native American rights in early America?
A. Cotton Mather
B. Edward Taylor
C. Roger Williams ✔️
D. William Bradford
30. Early Colonial literature was mostly:
A. Scientific
B. Secular
C. Religious ✔️
D. Nationalist
31. Which writer helped establish Providence, Rhode Island?
A. John Smith
B. Jonathan Edwards
C. William Bradford
D. Roger Williams ✔️
32. Which writer is most known for meditative Puritan poetry?
A. Cotton Mather
B. Anne Bradstreet ✔️
C. Jonathan Edwards
D. Mary Rowlandson
33. Who wrote “Upon the Burning of Our House”?
A. Anne Bradstreet ✔️
B. Edward Taylor
C. Mary Rowlandson
D. Sarah Kemble Knight
34. What literary device is common in early Puritan poetry?
A. Blank verse
B. Allegory ✔️
C. Stream of consciousness
D. Dramatic monologue
35. Which writer introduced the idea of America as a moral mission?
A. Jonathan Edwards
B. John Winthrop ✔️
C. Cotton Mather
D. Edward Taylor
36. Early American literature was most influenced by:
A. Native oral traditions
B. Puritan theology ✔️
C. Transcendentalism
D. Scientific rationalism
37. Which genre became foundational during the early colonial era?
A. Historical romance
B. Slave narrative
C. Sermon ✔️
D. Fictional tale
38. The tone of most Puritan sermons was:
A. Playful
B. Calm
C. Urgent and grave ✔️
D. Optimistic
39. The key literary aim of Puritan writers was:
A. Satire
B. Enlightenment ideals
C. Religious instruction ✔️
D. Emotional catharsis
40. Early American writers often interpreted events as:
A. Political causes
B. Natural outcomes
C. Signs of divine will ✔️
D. Accidents
41. The metaphors in Puritan writing usually relate to:
A. Greek myths
B. Agricultural labor
C. Biblical themes ✔️
D. Personal emotions
42. Early American literature was mostly written in what form?
A. Fiction
B. Non-fiction ✔️
C. Drama
D. Epic poetry
43. Which figure contributed to early scientific thought and religion?
A. Anne Hutchinson
B. Cotton Mather ✔️
C. Edward Taylor
D. William Bradford
44. What’s a core theme of captivity narratives?
A. Love and war
B. Political defiance
C. Religious faith and survival ✔️
D. National expansion
45. Early Colonial literature’s audience was primarily:
A. The British monarchy
B. Fellow settlers ✔️
C. African slaves
D. Native Americans
46. Who documented his explorations in detail to promote colonization?
A. Roger Williams
B. John Smith ✔️
C. Cotton Mather
D. Jonathan Edwards
47. Religious writing in colonial times aimed to:
A. Showcase personal style
B. Entertain
C. Edify and guide morally ✔️
D. Inspire revolt
48. Puritan literature often warned against:
A. Nature
B. Rationalism
C. Sin and moral decay ✔️
D. Scientific innovation
49. The Colonial period saw the development of which narrative tradition?
A. Gothic fiction
B. Slave narrative
C. Spiritual autobiography ✔️
D. Detective fiction
50. What characterized Colonial American literary values?
A. National glory
B. Christian moral order ✔️
C. Aesthetic originality
D. Political rebellion
Quiz Test-1 The History of American Literature: https://americanlit.englishlitnotes.com/quiz-test-1-history-american-literature/
Grammar Puzzle Solved by Naeem Sir: http://grammarpuzzlesolved.englishlitnotes.com