Contemporary Literary Period Questions

According to the text, which of the following options best explains the link between postcolonial literature and the British Empire?

• A. Postcolonial literature attempts to grapple with the legacy of British colonization.

• B. Postcolonial literature spread after Britain granted independence to its colonies.

• C. Both A and B

• D. Neither A nor B

Paragraph 3 adds to the development of the text mainly by

• A. examining in detail the causes of ethnic tensions in India and Pakistan

• B. explaining why Britain was irresponsible in the way it drew colonial borders

• C. explaining that the colonies’ struggles were far from over once Britain left

• D. suggesting that Britain’s departure was the worst thing possible for the colonies

According to the text, postmodern literature is best characterized as a(n) .

• inwardly focused form interested in dealing with alienation

• experimental, playful form interested in disrupting boundaries

• independent, unofficial form interested in writing about rebellion

• all of the above

Paragraph 6 adds to the development of the text mainly by

• A. summarizing the origins and concerns of postcolonial literature

• B. suggesting that postcolonial literature is preferred by activists

• C. providing examples of prominent postcolonial writers

• D. examining the long-lasting legacy of postcolonial literature

According to the text, what best explains the connection between postcolonial literature and postmodernism?

• A. Postcolonial literature arose at the same time as postmodernism.

• B. Postcolonial literature was the first literary movement featuring a postmodern style.

• C. Postcolonial literature is sometimes written in a postmodern style.

• D. Postcolonial literature and postmodernism are concerned with the impact of colonialism.

Which selection from the excerpt best supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• A. “Indian-born author Salman Rushdie has been hailed for his innovative postmodern take on Indian history and independence in his novel Midnight’s Children (1981).”

• B. “As contemporaneous movements, postcolonial literature shares some similarities with postmodernism, and some postcolonial authors write in a postmodern style.”

• C. “One driving idea behind postmodernism is that ‘everything has already been done’ and artists can no longer be completely original.”

• D. “Postcolonial writers express different viewpoints about colonization, history, social justice, and culture—and also challenge stereotypes.”

According to the text, a postcolonial writer might choose to write in English mainly because

• A. it is the only language the writer knows

• B. it means more people will like the writer’s books

• C. it is the language of the writer’s oppressors

• D. it allows the writer to reappropriate English

Which sentence from the excerpt best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• A. “Later, writers would describe the devastating effects of British colonialism and the imposition of Christianity on traditional ways of life.”

• B. “Among the most obvious lasting effects of British colonialism is the large number of English speakers spread throughout the world.”

• C. “Postcolonial writers may use established narrative forms and the English language, even though it may not be their native language.”

• D. “Writing in English, these authors reclaim and define their own identities and tell their own stories, from their perspectives.”

Which meaning of formidable most closely matches its meaning in Paragraph 3?

• A. adjective | impressive

• B. adjective | preventable

• C. adjective | causing fear or dread

• D. adjective | wealthy