30 MCQs and answers on the poem Elegy written in a country churchyard

---

#1


## Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard: 30 MCQs

Instructions:

Choose the best answer for each multiple choice question.

1. What is the main theme of "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"?

a) The beauty of nature
b) The futility of ambition
c) The inevitability of death
d) The joys of rural life

Answer:

c) The inevitability of death

2. The poem's speaker is primarily:

a) A farmer
b) A villager
c) A wandering scholar
d) A clergyman

Answer:

c) A wandering scholar

3. What is the speaker's attitude toward the "rude forefathers" buried in the churchyard?

a) Contempt
b) Pity
c) Respect
d) Fear

Answer:

c) Respect

4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the "rude forefathers" described in the poem?

a) Simple
b) Humble
c) Ambitious
d) Uneducated

Answer:

c) Ambitious

5. What does the speaker suggest is the fate of the "rude forefathers" after death?

a) They are reunited with their loved ones.
b) They are judged by God.
c) They are forgotten.
d) They continue to live on in the memories of others.

Answer:

c) They are forgotten.

6. What does the speaker mean by "the short and simple annals of the poor"?

a) The daily lives of the villagers
b) The history of the local church
c) The records of the dead
d) The stories of the village's poverty

Answer:

a) The daily lives of the villagers

7. The speaker describes the "rude forefathers" as having "no storied urn nor animated bust." What does this suggest about their lives?

a) They were wealthy.
b) They were famous.
c) They were ordinary.
d) They were unloved.

Answer:

c) They were ordinary.

8. What does the speaker see as the "ambition" of the "rude forefathers"?

a) To achieve fame and fortune
b) To be buried in a grand tomb
c) To live a virtuous life
d) To have their stories told

Answer:

c) To live a virtuous life

9. What does the speaker mean by "the paths of glory lead but to the grave"?

a) All paths eventually lead to death.
b) Glory is fleeting and short-lived.
c) Only the rich and powerful are remembered.
d) Death is a natural part of life.

Answer:

b) Glory is fleeting and short-lived.

10. The speaker contrasts the "rude forefathers" with:

a) The wealthy and powerful
b) The wise and learned
c) The beautiful and young
d) The ambitious and greedy

Answer:

a) The wealthy and powerful

11. What is the speaker's attitude toward the "wealthy and powerful"?

a) Admiration
b) Envy
c) Pity
d) Indifference

Answer:

c) Pity

12. What does the speaker suggest is the fate of the "wealthy and powerful" after death?

a) They are rewarded in the afterlife.
b) They are remembered for their deeds.
c) They are forgotten, just like everyone else.
d) They are punished for their sins.

Answer:

c) They are forgotten, just like everyone else.

13. The speaker describes the "wealthy and powerful" as "borne aloft on fancy's wing." What does this suggest about them?

a) They are arrogant and proud.
b) They are delusional and unrealistic.
c) They are creative and imaginative.
d) They are kind and generous.

Answer:

b) They are delusional and unrealistic.

14. What is the speaker's attitude toward the "village Hampden" and "mute inglorious Milton"?

a) He admires their talent and potential.
b) He pities their wasted lives.
c) He fears their ambition.
d) He respects their humility.

Answer:

a) He admires their talent and potential.

15. What does the speaker suggest is the reason why the "village Hampden" and "mute inglorious Milton" remained unknown?

a) They lacked talent.
b) They lacked ambition.
c) They lacked opportunity.
d) They lacked education.

Answer:

c) They lacked opportunity.

16. What does the speaker mean by "the applause of listening senates to command"?

a) To be recognized and praised by the public
b) To be elected to political office
c) To be admired by the wealthy and powerful
d) To be recognized for one's artistic achievements

Answer:

a) To be recognized and praised by the public

17. What does the speaker suggest is the "ambition" of the "village Hampden" and "mute inglorious Milton"?

a) To achieve fame and fortune
b) To be remembered for their deeds
c) To improve the lives of others
d) To leave a legacy for future generations

Answer:

b) To be remembered for their deeds

18. What does the speaker mean by "full many a gem of purest ray serene / The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear"?

a) There are many talented people who go unnoticed.
b) The ocean is full of beautiful and valuable treasures.
c) There are many secrets hidden in the depths of the sea.
d) The world is full of hidden beauty and wonder.

Answer:

a) There are many talented people who go unnoticed.

19. What does the speaker suggest is the reason why these gems remain hidden?

a) They are too valuable to be seen.
b) They are too fragile to be exposed.
c) They are not yet ready to be discovered.
d) They are not meant to be seen.

Answer:

d) They are not meant to be seen.

20. What does the speaker mean by "the paths of glory lead but to the grave"?

a) All paths eventually lead to death.
b) Glory is fleeting and short-lived.
c) Only the rich and powerful are remembered.
d) Death is a natural part of life.

Answer:

b) Glory is fleeting and short-lived.

21. Which of the following is a common literary device used in the poem?

a) Alliteration
b) Personification
c) Metaphor
d) All of the above

Answer:

d) All of the above

22. What is the tone of the poem?

a) Joyful
b) Humorous
c) Melancholy
d) Angry

Answer:

c) Melancholy

23. The poem's final lines suggest that:

a) Death is the ultimate equalizer.
b) Life is full of surprises.
c) We should all strive for greatness.
d) We should cherish our time on earth.

Answer:

a) Death is the ultimate equalizer.

24. Which of the following is NOT a theme explored in the poem?

a) The importance of humility
b) The power of ambition
c) The fleeting nature of fame
d) The inevitability of death

Answer:

b) The power of ambition

25. The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on:

a) The beauty of rural life
b) The human condition
c) The value of tradition
d) The importance of education

Answer:

b) The human condition

26. The poem's structure is primarily:

a) Free verse
b) Sonnet
c) Blank verse
d) Ballad

Answer:

c) Blank verse

27. The speaker's use of "elegy" in the title suggests that the poem is a:

a) Celebration of life
b) Lament for the dead
c) Hymn to nature
d) Satire of society

Answer:

b) Lament for the dead

28. The poem's setting in a country churchyard is significant because it:

a) Represents a place of peace and tranquility
b) Is a reminder of the inevitability of death
c) Highlights the beauty of rural life
d) All of the above

Answer:

d) All of the above

29. The poem's use of imagery helps to:

a) Create a vivid picture of the churchyard
b) Convey the speaker's emotions
c) Enhance the poem's symbolism
d) All of the above

Answer:

d) All of the above

30. "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" is considered a classic of English literature because it:

a) Explores timeless themes of life and death
b) Features beautiful and evocative language
c) Offers a unique and insightful perspective on human nature
d) All of the above

Answer:

d) All of the above
--------- Post edited by - Mr.Love