Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Books & Literature

Literature Quiz: Test Your Book Knowledge

Quick, free literature trivia quiz. Test your knowledge and see your score instantly.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ander AzkorraUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of open book pages swirling quiz icons question marks on coral background

This literature quiz helps you check what you know about plots, characters, and themes in minutes. Answer quick questions and see your score right away. For more practice, try our literature trivia quiz, explore classic literature trivia, or review literature trivia questions and answers.

Who is the author of Pride and Prejudice?
Charlotte Brontë
Jane Austen
Mary Shelley
Emily Dickinson
Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen and first published in 1813. It is one of her most enduring works and critiques the social hierarchy of Georgian England. The novel follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates issues of manners, upbringing, and marriage. .
In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, what is the name of the main hobbit protagonist?
Samwise Gamgee
Peregrin Took
Frodo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins is the central character in The Hobbit, embarking on an unexpected journey with a group of dwarves. Tolkien introduced Bilbo as a reluctant hero whose wit and courage grow throughout the tale. His discovery of the One Ring foreshadows events in The Lord of the Rings. .
George Orwell's 1984 is set in which fictional superstate?
Eurasia
Panem
Eastasia
Oceania
1984 takes place in Oceania, one of three superstates in Orwell's dystopian world. Oceania is governed by the Party, led by the figurehead Big Brother. The novel explores themes of surveillance, totalitarianism, and language control. .
Who wrote The Great Gatsby?
Ernest Hemingway
F. Scott Fitzgerald
John Steinbeck
Sinclair Lewis
F. Scott Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby in 1925, capturing the Jazz Age's glamour and disillusionment. The novel critiques the American Dream through the tragic figure of Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald's lyrical prose has cemented this work as a classic of American literature. .
In To Kill a Mockingbird, who is the narrator of the story?
Jem Finch
Calpurnia
Scout Finch
Atticus Finch
Scout Finch, whose real name is Jean Louise Finch, narrates To Kill a Mockingbird from her childhood perspective. Through her eyes, readers explore themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the American South. Harper Lee's choice of a child narrator adds innocence and honesty to the story. .
What type of farm animal leads the rebellion in Animal Farm?
Sheep
Pigs
Cows
Horses
In Animal Farm, the pigs - led by Napoleon and Snowball - organize and lead the rebellion against human farmers. Orwell uses the pigs to satirize the rise of a political elite in the Soviet Union. Over time, the pigs become indistinguishable from the oppressive humans they replaced. .
Who is the author of the Harry Potter series?
J.K. Rowling
Suzanne Collins
C.S. Lewis
Roald Dahl
J.K. Rowling is the British author who created the seven-book Harry Potter series. Her work has become a global phenomenon, inspiring films, theme parks, and a dedicated fanbase. Rowling's storytelling blends magic, friendship, and coming-of-age themes. .
Which Shakespeare play features the characters Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet
Othello
Macbeth
Hamlet
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, chronicling the doomed romance between two young lovers from feuding families. The play explores themes of fate, love, and conflict. Its enduring popularity has led to countless adaptations. .
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, what title is Macbeth first given that sparks his ambition?
King of Scotland
Prince of Cumberland
Thane of Cawdor
Thane of Glamis
After his successful battle, Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor, fulfilling part of the witches' prophecy. This new title ignites his ambition to become king. Shakespeare uses this moment to show how prophecy and power intertwine. .
In Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Mr. Rochester's first name is what?
Charles
Richard
Edward
John
Mr. Rochester's given name is Edward Fairfax Rochester, revealed midway through the novel. Brontë maintains an air of mystery around his identity before this point. The revelation deepens the intimacy between Rochester and Jane. .
What term describes a recurring element or symbol in a literary work that reinforces a theme?
Hyperbole
Paradox
Allegory
Motif
A motif is a recurring element - such as an object, phrase, or color - that supports a work's theme. Writers use motifs to deepen thematic development and connect plot events. Identifying motifs can reveal layers of meaning in a text. .
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, what color is most strongly associated with Gatsby's hopes and dreams?
Green
Yellow
Red
White
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's hopes for a future with her. Fitzgerald uses this symbol to embody the larger theme of the American Dream's promise and unattainability. The green light appears frequently to underscore Gatsby's longing. .
In Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, how does the famous opening line begin?
It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.
It was a dark and stormy night.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Dickens opens A Tale of Two Cities with "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," highlighting the novel's themes of duality and revolution. This paradoxical line sets up contrasts explored throughout the story. Dickens uses balanced phrasing to emphasize societal extremes. .
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, what is Victor Frankenstein's creature commonly called?
The Devil
The Monster
The Being
The Apparition
Although Victor never names his creation, it is commonly called "the Monster" in criticism and adaptations. Shelley's text emphasizes the creature's intelligence and emotion despite its grotesque appearance. The naming reflects humanity's tendency to dehumanize what is different. .
Who is the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude?
Pablo Neruda
Carlos Fuentes
Jorge Luis Borges
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez published One Hundred Years of Solitude in 1967, cementing his reputation as a leader of magical realism. The novel chronicles the Buendía family over multiple generations in the fictional town of Macondo. Its rich narrative and fantastical elements have influenced modern literature. .
Which novel features the fictional detective Hercule Poirot?
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Big Sleep
Murder on the Orient Express
The Maltese Falcon
Agatha Christie introduced Hercule Poirot in The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), but Murder on the Orient Express is one of his most famous cases. Poirot's meticulous methods and distinctive personality made him one of fiction's most enduring detectives. Christie wrote over 30 novels featuring him. .
In Virginia Woolf's novel To the Lighthouse, which technique is primarily used?
Epistolary
Magical realism
Flashback
Stream of consciousness
Woolf employs the stream-of-consciousness technique to explore her characters' inner thoughts and perceptions. This narrative style captures the fluidity of memory and time. To the Lighthouse is celebrated for its psychological depth and poetic prose. .
What is the subtitle of Moby-Dick by Herman Melville?
Sea Quest
Ahab's Revenge
White Death
The Whale
Moby-Dick is fully titled Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, emphasizing the centrality of the sperm whale to the narrative. Melville's novel explores obsession, fate, and humanity's relationship with nature. The subtitle clarifies the novel's focus on the great white whale. .
In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, who narrates the story?
The Chief Accountant
Marlow
The Captain
Kurtz
The protagonist Marlow recounts his voyage up the Congo River to a group of listeners aboard a ship on the Thames. Conrad uses Marlow's perspective to critique colonial exploitation and moral ambiguity. Marlow's narrative framing adds layers of interpretation and irony. .
Which novel by Toni Morrison explores the haunting legacy of slavery on a former slave named Sethe?
Jazz
Beloved
Song of Solomon
Paradise
Beloved (1987) is Morrison's novel about Sethe, who is haunted by the ghost of her deceased daughter. The book examines the psychological and supernatural ramifications of slavery. Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for this powerful narrative. .
In James Joyce's Ulysses, the narrative parallels the journey of whom from The Odyssey?
Zeus
Odysseus
Achilles
Troy
Ulysses retells Homer's epic by following Leopold Bloom through a single day in Dublin, mirroring Odysseus's wanderings. Joyce's modernist novel draws on classical themes of homecoming, identity, and adventure. The parallel structure enriches the exploration of everyday life. .
The phrase "Big Brother is watching you" appears in which George Orwell novel?
Animal Farm
1984
Brave New World
Fahrenheit 451
In 1984, Big Brother symbolizes the Party's oppressive surveillance and control over citizens. Posters bearing the slogan remind characters - and readers - of the omnipresent government scrutiny. Orwell's warning about totalitarianism remains culturally resonant. .
In Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, which two families does the novel primarily follow?
Dolgoruky and Drubetskoy
Bezukhov and Bazarov
Karamazov and Lebedev
Rostov and Bolkonsky
War and Peace centers on the aristocratic Rostov and Bolkonsky families as they navigate the Napoleonic Wars. Tolstoy examines personal, social, and historical transformations through these interwoven narratives. The novel's breadth and depth have made it a pinnacle of realist literature. .
In Dante's Divine Comedy, which realm does Dante traverse after Hell?
Eden
Purgatory
Limbo
Mount Olympus
After his journey through Hell (Inferno), Dante ascends Mount Purgatory in the second part of the Divine Comedy. Purgatory represents purification and penance before reaching Paradise. The structured progression mirrors medieval Christian cosmology. .
0
{"name":"Who is the author of Pride and Prejudice?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Who is the author of Pride and Prejudice?, In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, what is the name of the main hobbit protagonist?, George Orwell's 1984 is set in which fictional superstate?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Plot Twists -

    Recognize major plot twists featured in questions on literature and explain their impact on story progression.

  2. Analyze Character Development -

    Analyze character arcs through literary elements trivia and articulate how motivations and transformations drive the narrative.

  3. Interpret Themes and Motifs -

    Interpret central themes and motifs presented in literature trivia questions and connect them to broader literary contexts.

  4. Identify Literary Elements -

    Identify key literary elements such as symbolism, setting, and narrative perspective within the elements of literature quiz.

  5. Apply Literary Knowledge -

    Apply insights from the literature quiz questions to deepen your understanding of storytelling techniques and critical analysis.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Plot Structure Mastery -

    Freytag's Pyramid (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement) is key to conquering literature trivia questions on plot twists. Use the mnemonic "E R C F D" ("Every Real Climax Feels Dramatic") to recall each stage effortlessly. (Source: Purdue OWL)

  2. Character Archetypes -

    Recognize protagonists, antagonists, foils and the difference between dynamic and static characters to tackle questions on literature character arcs. Try "PADS" (Protagonist, Antagonist, Dynamic, Static) as a quick memory aid and think of Elizabeth Bennet vs. Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. (Source: SparkNotes)

  3. Themes and Motifs -

    Identify universal themes like identity, power, love or betrayal, and recurring motifs such as color symbolism to excel at literary elements trivia. Remember "PILB" (Power, Identity, Love, Betrayal) and link each theme to a symbol - like the white whale in Moby Dick. (Source: CliffsNotes)

  4. Literary Devices -

    Master devices such as metaphor, symbolism, irony and foreshadowing for sharp answers on literature quiz questions. Use "M S I F" (Metaphor, Symbolism, Irony, Foreshadowing) and spot examples like the prologue foreshadowing in Romeo and Juliet. (Source: JSTOR)

  5. Narrative Perspective -

    Differentiate first-, second- and third-person (limited vs. omniscient) narration to ace questions on literature point of view. Mnemonic "1,2,3, L/O" helps you recall each style - consider Nick Carraway's first-person in The Great Gatsby. (Source: MLA Handbook)

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Books & Literature Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker