Category: The History of American Literature-Quiz

Focus on Religious and Philosophical Writing of the Era 1. Who wrote A Model of Christian Charity aboard the Arbella?A) Roger WilliamsB) William BradfordC) John WinthropD) Cotton MatherAnswer: C) John Winthrop 2. What central theme defines much religious and philosophical writing of colonial New England?A) RomanticismB) RationalismC) PredestinationD) Social reformAnswer: C) Predestination 3. Anne Bradstreet’s poetry blends Puritan values with:A) Deist thoughtB) Scientific observationC) Personal reflectionD) Political rebellionAnswer: C) Personal reflection 4. Which minister was known for Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?A) Increase MatherB) Jonathan EdwardsC) George…

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Focus: The Rise of National Identity in American Literature (1800–1830)This quiz highlights how early American writers created a literary identity distinct from British models. It examines the development of national themes, American characters, frontier myth, democratic ideals, and cultural values in early fiction, essays, and poetry. Featured figures include Noah Webster, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen Bryant, and others. 1. Which writer aimed to create a distinct American language?A. Thomas JeffersonB. Noah Webster ✔️C. Washington IrvingD. Philip Freneau 2. Webster’s American Dictionary symbolized:A. Religious revivalB. Literary modernismC. Cultural…

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Focus: Early American Poetry and Poetic Forms (1607–1830)This quiz explores poetry written in colonial and early national America. It covers Puritan poetry, neoclassical forms, elegies, meditative verse, revolutionary odes, and early romantic expressions. Featured poets include Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, Phillis Wheatley, Philip Freneau, and William Cullen Bryant. 1. Who is considered the first published American poet?A. Edward TaylorB. Anne Bradstreet ✔️C. Phillis WheatleyD. Philip Freneau 2. Bradstreet’s poems often combine:A. Gothic and satireB. Religious faith and personal emotion ✔️C. Epic battles and heroismD. Scientific ideas and humor 3. Bradstreet’s…

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Focus: The Emergence of American Fiction (1789–1830)This quiz examines the rise of fiction in early American literature. It includes sentimental novels, early gothic tales, historical romances, and moral fables. Featured authors include Charles Brockden Brown, Susanna Rowson, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and more. 1. Who is often considered the first American novelist?A. Washington IrvingB. Susanna RowsonC. Charles Brockden Brown ✔️D. James Fenimore Cooper 2. What is Charles Brockden Brown’s most famous novel?A. The CoquetteB. Wieland ✔️C. The PioneersD. The Spy 3. Wieland belongs to which genre?A. Satirical fictionB. AllegoryC.…

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Focus: Political and Revolutionary Writing (1765–1789)This test explores how American writers contributed to the Revolutionary cause through pamphlets, essays, speeches, and letters. It features authors like Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Phillis Wheatley, and others who shaped literary and ideological responses to independence and liberty. 1. Who wrote Common Sense in 1776?A. Benjamin FranklinB. Thomas JeffersonC. Thomas Paine ✔️D. John Adams 2. What was the main goal of Common Sense?A. Promote monarchyB. Support British ParliamentC. Argue for independence ✔️D. Defend Native rights 3. Which literary genre did Common Sense…

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Focus: Genres of Early American Literature (1607–1830)This quiz highlights major literary genres from both the colonial and early national periods: sermons, diaries, travel narratives, captivity narratives, spiritual autobiographies, political pamphlets, early fiction, and poetry. It includes stylistic traits and representative authors for each genre. 1. What genre was most dominant in early Puritan writing?A. Historical fictionB. DiaryC. Sermon ✔️D. Travelogue 2. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God belongs to which genre?A. AutobiographyB. AllegoryC. Jeremiad ✔️D. Parable 3. Which genre combines narrative with religious reflection in a personal voice?A.…

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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 BradstreetB. William BradfordC. John Smith ✔️D. Cotton Mather 2. What is the title of John Smith’s famous work promoting settlement in Virginia?A. New CanaanB. Of Plymouth PlantationC. The Generall Historie of…

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Theme: Advanced focus on writers, genres, styles, and ideological trends from The Colonial and American National Period (1607–1830). 1. Who wrote A Model of Christian Charity aboard the Arbella?A) Cotton MatherB) John WinthropC) William BradfordD) Anne Hutchinson✅ Answer: B 2. What concept does “city upon a hill” illustrate?A) Commercial successB) Religious separationC) Moral example to the worldD) British loyalty✅ Answer: C 3. The Bay Psalm Book was important because:A) It contained fictionB) It translated Latin verseC) It was the first book printed in British AmericaD) It was banned✅ Answer: C…

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Covering The Colonial and American National Period (1607–1830) 1. Who is considered the first published American poet?A) Jonathan EdwardsB) Anne BradstreetC) William BradfordD) Edward Taylor✅ Answer: B 2. What genre dominates early Puritan writing?A) Gothic romanceB) Political satireC) Religious narrativeD) Allegorical fantasy✅ Answer: C 3. Of Plymouth Plantation was written by:A) Cotton MatherB) John SmithC) William BradfordD) Thomas Paine✅ Answer: C 4. Mary Rowlandson’s famous work is classified as:A) AutobiographyB) Captivity narrativeC) Political pamphletD) Sermon✅ Answer: B 5. The Puritan literary style is best described as:A) Ornate and rhetoricalB) Simple…

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