Here are 50 quiz questions suitable for a junior high school English literature competition, covering various genres, authors, and literary terms:
General Questions
- Who wrote the play "Romeo and Juliet"?
- What is the term for a recurring theme or symbol in literature?
- Name the author of "The Great Gatsby."
- What is a sonnet?
- In "To Kill a Mockingbird," who is the narrator?
- Which famous detective was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
- What genre of literature includes stories about imaginary events and people?
- Who is the protagonist of "The Catcher in the Rye"?
- Name one famous work by Mark Twain.
- What does the term "allegory" refer to in literature?
Poetry
- What is the main theme of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken"?
- Who is known for writing "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"?
- What type of poem is characterized by a musical quality and often tells a story?
- What is a "hyperbole"?
- What does the term "metaphor" mean?
Plays
- In which Shakespearean play do the characters of Beatrice and Benedick appear?
- What is the setting of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"?
- Who wrote "A Midsummer Night's Dream"?
- What is a soliloquy?
- In "The Crucible," what are the consequences of the Salem witch trials?
Novels
- What is the primary setting of "1984" by George Orwell?
- Who is the author of "Harry Potter" series?
- In "Charlotte's Web," who is Wilbur's close friend?
- What is the primary theme of "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton?
- Who wrote the novel "Pride and Prejudice"?
Short Stories
- Who wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart"?
- What is a common theme in Edgar Allan Poe's works?
- What does the term "narrative" mean in literature?
- What is the climax of a story?
- Name a renowned short story by O. Henry.
Literary Devices
- What is "foreshadowing"?
- Define "irony."
- What does "personification" mean?
- What is the significance of a "bildungsroman"?
- Explain the term "alliteration."
Miscellaneous
- Which dystopian novel is set in a future where books are banned?
- Name one characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Who is the author of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series?
- What is a "flashback" in literature?
- Who wrote the poem "If—"?
Themes and Characters
- What are the main themes of "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury?
- Who is the main character in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"?
- Name a famous work that deals with the theme of racial injustice.
- What is the significance of the "Green Light" in "The Great Gatsby"?
- Who are the main characters in "Animal Farm"?
Famous Quotes
- "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." What novel begins with this line?
- Who said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players"?
- What is the origin of the quote, "To be, or not to be: that is the question"?
- Name the author of the quote, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
- Who wrote the line, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”?
These questions can be adapted or expanded based on the specific focus areas you want to emphasize in your competition. Good luck!