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MA English Literature Wordsworth's Preface — practice questions

Explore 12 free Wordsworth's Preface questions in MA English Literature English Literature. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Wordsworth's Preface questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–12 of 12.

Wordsworth defines poetry as the spontaneous overflow of:Read the answer and worked solution →In Wordsworth's theory, true poetry takes its origin from:Read the answer and worked solution →In Wordsworth's Preface, the poet must possess 'more than usual':Read the answer and worked solution →Wordsworth describes 'all good poetry' as a:Read the answer and worked solution →Wordsworth's ideal poetic language captures 'the real language of men in a state of':Read the answer and worked solution →Wordsworth claims 'true knowledge leads to':Read the answer and worked solution →The 'two-step' Wordsworth describes for poetic composition is:Read the answer and worked solution →In the Preface, the poet contemplates emotion until 'by a species of reaction':Read the answer and worked solution →Wordsworth's poet, in addition to organic sensibility, must have:Read the answer and worked solution →The Preface argues that poetic excitement does NOT require:Read the answer and worked solution →Who wrote the Preface to Lyrical Ballads?Read the answer and worked solution →Complete Wordsworth on poetryRead the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

Wordsworth defines poetry as the spontaneous overflow of:

  1. Rustic words
  2. Vivid images
  3. Powerful feelings
  4. Visionary insight
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Correct answer: C. Powerful feelings

1. The phrase is Wordsworth's most-quoted definition of poetry. 2. He distinguishes spontaneous emotional eruption from artificial composition. 3. The principle launched the Romantic theory of expression. _Source: Project Gutenberg #8905 — Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800) — "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings"_

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In Wordsworth's theory, true poetry takes its origin from:

  1. Direct observation only
  2. Religious revelation
  3. Emotion recollected in tranquility
  4. Classical imitation
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Correct answer: C. Emotion recollected in tranquility

1. The full phrase emphasises temporal distance + reflection. 2. The poet experiences feeling, then later recalls it. 3. A 'species of reaction' regenerates the original emotion in tranquil contemplation. _Source: Project Gutenberg #8905 — Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800) — "it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility"_

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In Wordsworth's Preface, the poet must possess 'more than usual':

  1. Political conviction
  2. Religious devotion
  3. Classical learning
  4. Organic sensibility
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Correct answer: D. Organic sensibility

1. Wordsworth lists 'more than usual organic sensibility' as the poet's first equipment. 2. He pairs it with having 'thought long and deeply.' 3. The duty includes refining taste and ameliorating affections. _Source: Project Gutenberg #8905 — Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800) — "more than usual organic sensibility"_

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