Quiz Test-3 The History of American Literature

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

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