Essays in Criticism (Practice Test)

1. . In Essays in Criticism, Arnold argues that criticism should:
(A) Be purely subjective and personal
(B) Focus on the emotional responses of readers
(C) Be objective and focused on the evaluation of the work’s inherent qualities
(D) Favor popular and widely accepted literary works

2. . According to Arnold, the main task of the critic is to:
(A) Create original works of literature
(B) Focus on the social and political implications of a text
(C) Interpret literature and judge it based on universal standards of excellence
(D) Promote the interests of the literary market

3. . Arnold’s critique of Victorian literature in Essays in Criticism is focused on its:
(A) Excessive romanticism and idealization
(B) Lack of intellectual depth and seriousness
(C) Focus on religious themes
(D) Innovation and technical sophistication

4. . What does Arnold mean by “the touchstone method” in literary criticism?
(A) A method of judging works by their historical context
(B) A technique for comparing works with classical literature to assess their quality
(C) A focus on the author’s personal life to understand their work
(D) A reliance on popular opinion to determine literary value

5. . In Essays in Criticism, Arnold contends that true criticism is rooted in:
(A) A deep understanding of the author’s personal life
(B) A superficial reading of the text
(C) An appreciation of the text’s cultural and intellectual value
(D) The personal feelings of the critic

6. . According to Arnold, what is the key to understanding a literary work?
(A) Analyzing the author’s biography
(B) Studying the historical background in which the work was written
(C) Focusing on the emotional impact the work has on readers
(D) Understanding the universality and moral lessons embedded in the work

7. . Arnold’s criticism of the Poetry of the Future focuses on:
(A) The excessive focus on local or national issues
(B) The need for poetry to engage with social reform
(C) The tendency of poetry to ignore classical influences and standards
(D) The lack of emotional depth in contemporary poetry

8. . According to Arnold, a good critic should:
(A) Focus on the emotional expression of the writer
(B) Be detached and objective, focusing only on the work itself
(C) Be influenced by public opinion and the current trends in literature
(D) Support only works that align with their personal beliefs

9. . How does Arnold view the relationship between poetry and culture in Essays in Criticism?
(A) Poetry should focus on political themes to influence culture
(B) Poetry is a reflection of cultural values and has the power to shape society
(C) Poetry should be entirely divorced from culture and focused on individual emotions
(D) Poetry is irrelevant to culture and should be treated as purely artistic

10. . What does Arnold see as the role of the critic in society?
(A) To promote works that align with the dominant cultural and political ideologies
(B) To challenge the status quo and promote radical changes in literature
(C) To help society understand the best of what has been written and to uphold moral and intellectual standards
(D) To create new literary movements and styles