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English Contemporary Literature — LET Practice Questions

This English Contemporary Literature section of the LET English Major exam covers 6 expert-reviewed practice questions. Each question has a plain-English explanation and notes on why the wrong answers are wrong.

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Sample questions with answers and explanations

Sample 1

In Harry Potter series, who is known for his/her love of animals and ability to communicate with them?

Answer: C

Hagrid is the half-giant gamekeeper who loves all kinds of magical creatures, even the dangerous ones like dragons and giant spiders. He cares for them, raises them, and understands them in a way no one else does. His love for beasts is one of his trademark traits throughout the books. The other characters have other talents but are not known as the creature whisperer.

Tip: Hagrid = the magical creatures guy.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Hermione is known for intelligence and books, not animal communication.
  • B. Luna is quirky and believes in unusual creatures, but she does not raise or care for them like Hagrid.
  • D. Neville is associated with herbology (plants), not animals.

Sample 2

In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, which of the following characters is the protagonist and a respected leader in his village?

Answer: A

Okonkwo is the main character of Things Fall Apart. He is a strong wrestler and respected warrior in the Igbo village of Umuofia. The story follows his rise, his fears of weakness, and his tragic fall when colonial powers and Christian missionaries arrive. The other characters surround him but are not the main figure.

Tip: Things Fall Apart protagonist = Okonkwo.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • B. Nwoye is Okonkwo's son who later converts to Christianity, a supporting character.
  • C. Obierika is Okonkwo's wise friend, but not the protagonist.
  • D. Ekwefi is one of Okonkwo's wives, not the central character.

Sample 3

It is a collection of short stories by a Nigerian author that explores the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad.

Answer: B

The Thing Around Your Neck is a 12-story collection by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author. The stories follow Nigerians living in Nigeria and those who moved to America, dealing with identity, family, and culture shock. Adichie is one of the most famous African writers today. The other options are by Indian authors or are misattributed.

Tip: Adichie = Nigerian; The Thing Around Your Neck = Nigerians at home and abroad.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Interpreter of Maladies is by Jhumpa Lahiri, an Indian-American author writing about Indian experiences.
  • C. Wole Soyinka is Nigerian but he did not write Interpreter of Maladies; this is a fake pairing.
  • D. Arundhati Roy is Indian, and her novel is set in Kerala, India, not Nigeria.
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