European History : Literature and Art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Literature And Art

Many historians describe the Renaissance as a period in which Europeans experienced a renewed interest in ___________.

Possible Answers:

the principles of Hinduism

Ancient African civilizations

Middle Eastern agriculture techniques

East Asian imperial court culture

Greek and Roman knowledge and culture

Correct answer:

Greek and Roman knowledge and culture

Explanation:

During the Renaissance, much of Europe became captivated with the classical Greek and Roman civilizations. Artists, inventors, and philosophers used Greek and Roman culture, knowledge, and values as inspiration for new works of art, structures, and technologies. The other answers are incorrect because they were not cultural aspects held in high regard by Europeans.

Example Question #2 : Literature And Art

Which art movement rose to prominence in Europe between the years of 1800 and 1850?

Possible Answers:

Baroque

Neoclassicism

Romanticism

Realism

Impressionism

Correct answer:

Romanticism

Explanation:

Romanticism was an art form that rose to prominence in Europe from the early to mid 19th century. 

Romantic artwork emphasized capturing intense emotions such as shock, terror, and awe.

Example Question #3 : Literature And Art

The novel Frankenstein was written by which of the following British authors?

Possible Answers:

Voltaire

Byron

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Percy Shelley

Mary Shelley

Correct answer:

Mary Shelley

Explanation:

Voltaire was a French author, so he would not be a good choice here. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a poet and did not write novels, so he would not be a good choice here. Byron and Percy Shelley were friends and moved in the same circles, although they did not write the novel in question, so they would not be good answers. Lastly, Mary Shelley is the author of Frankenstein (1818), and although she initially published anonymously she is widely credited as the author, so she would be the best choice.

Example Question #4 : Literature And Art

The Canterbury Tales was written by which famous English author?

Possible Answers:

Moliere

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Geoffrey Chaucer

Byron

Percy Shelley

Correct answer:

Geoffrey Chaucer

Explanation:

Geoffrey Chaucer famously wrote the Canterbury Tales, so he would be the best answer here. Percy Shelley and Byron were both English authors, but they lived centuries after the publishing of the book in question, so they would not be good answer choices. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was English but he wrote primarily poems, so he would not be the best choice. Lastly, Moliere was a French playwright, so he would not be the best answer here.

Example Question #5 : Literature And Art

The Idiot was a lesser known work from ________________ and written in the _______________ century.

Possible Answers:

Vladimir Nabokov . . . 20th

Leo Tolstoy . . . 19th

Leo Tolstoy . . . 20th

Fyodor Dostoyevsky . . . 19th

Fyodor Dostoyevsky . . . 20th

Correct answer:

Fyodor Dostoyevsky . . . 19th

Explanation:

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is one of the two most important Russian literary figures of the 20th century, the other being Leo Tolstoy. Dostoyevsky wrote philosophical and psychological novels that explored themes of faith, duty, country, love, depression, grief, and family, among others. His two most famous works are The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment

Example Question #6 : Literature And Art

The _________ painter ___________ famous works include Woman with a Parasol, Camille, and Water Lilies

Possible Answers:

Impressionist . . . Claude Monet

Baroque . . . Claude Monet

Impressionist . . . Édouard Manet

Baroque . . . Rembrandt 

Impressionist . . . Edgar Degas

Correct answer:

Impressionist . . . Claude Monet

Explanation:

Claude Monet was an impressionist painter who painted many famous and important works in 19th century France. He is widely considered the father of Impressionism, and is not to be confused with Édouard Manet

Example Question #7 : Literature And Art

The 20th-century novel Lolita, written by Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, has a plot that primarily revolves around ______________.

Possible Answers:

a chilling portrayal of a sexual deviant's abduction and subsequent relationship with a 12 year old girl

a wry look on married life from the perspective of a young girl observing her parents

a psychological thriller about a detective who must find a missing girl

a story of a young woman who runs away from home and is forced to become a prostitute to survive

an autobiographical novel about the author's relationship with all women, using the character of Lolita as a symbol for femininity and all women

Correct answer:

a chilling portrayal of a sexual deviant's abduction and subsequent relationship with a 12 year old girl

Explanation:

One of the most important writers of the 20th century, Vladimir Nabokov pushed the boundaries of not only what was socially acceptable, but what readers could handle. His novel Lolita features a chilling look at a sexual deviant's abduction and subsequent relationship with a pre-teenage girl.

Example Question #8 : Literature And Art

Which famous Russian author wrote both War and Peace and Anna Karenina?

Possible Answers:

Leo Tolstoy

Vladimir Nabokov

Alexander Pushkin

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Anton Chekhov

Correct answer:

Leo Tolstoy

Explanation:

One of, perhaps the, most famous Russian author of all time, Leo Tolstoy wrote in the 20th century. His most famous works include War and Peace and Anna Karenina

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