Practice Books & Authors MCQ Questions 1–25 out of 41. Free quiz with answers and explanations for UPSC, SSC, Railway exam preparation. Score guaranteed marks in the static awareness section with our dedicated Books and Authors GK test. This module contains essential questions tracking ancient historical texts, classical literature milestones, modern bestsellers, autobiographies of famous figures, and recent literary award winners.
Which legendary Indian novelist, known as 'Upanyas Samrat' (Emperor of Novels), wrote the masterpiece realist novel 'Godaan' (The Gift of a Cow) in 1936?
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Explanation
Munshi Premchand wrote 'Godaan', which beautifully yet painfully depicts the socio-economic struggles of the Indian peasantry through the protagonist Hori. [Memory Trick: The ultimate 'Prem' (love) and respect of common village peasants was perfectly 'chan'-neled into literature by Premchand!]
2
Who penned the inspiring autobiographical book 'Wings of Fire', tracing his journey from Rameswaram to becoming the President of India?
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Explanation
'Wings of Fire' is the joint autobiography of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari, capturing Kalam's humble beginnings and leadership in India's space and missile program. [Memory Trick: The Missile Man of India has the fiery vision to give India's youth 'Wings of Fire'!]
3
Which historic leader, during his imprisonment in Ahmadnagar Fort prison (1942–1946), drafted the famous classic 'The Discovery of India'?
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Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'The Discovery of India' to reflect on India's rich history, philosophy, and cultural synthesis from the Upanishads to the British Raj. [Memory Trick: The first Prime Minister of free India ('Nehru') set out to officially 'Discover' and introduce India to the modern world!]
4
Who composed the poetry collection 'Gitanjali', which earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first non-European laureate?
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Explanation
Rabindranath Tagore's 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings) is a collection of deeply spiritual poems, translated into English with an introduction by W.B. Yeats. [Memory Trick: 'Gita-anjali' means offering ('Anjali') of songs ('Gita') that touch the heart, sung by Rabindra'-nath' (lord of the sun)!]
5
Which book written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1882 became highly influential during the Indian Independence struggle and contains our national song 'Vande Mataram'?
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Explanation
'Anandamath' is a novel set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion in Bengal during the late 18th century, housing the song Vande Mataram. [Memory Trick: An abbey ('Math') of pure bliss ('Ananda') where freedom fighters chant patriotic hymns of national devotion!]
6
Whose world-famous autobiography 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth' was originally written in Gujarati and published in weekly installments?
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Explanation
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi wrote his spiritual and moral struggles in 'My Experiments with Truth' from childhood memories to 1921. [Memory Trick: The apostle of non-violence and absolute 'Truth' = Mahatma Gandhi!]
7
Who created the fictional town of 'Malgudi' and wrote widely acclaimed classics like 'Swami and Friends' and 'The Guide'?
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Explanation
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami (R.K. Narayan) is renowned for his simple and humorous stories of daily life in Malgudi. [Memory Trick: Small town kids look at the majestic 'Narayan' (Lord) in local temples while learning lessons under trees!]
8
Which major Indian novel, written by Khushwant Singh in 1956, captures the tragic human trauma of India's Partition through the fictional border village of Mano Majra?
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Explanation
'Train to Pakistan' provides a chilling, realistic human perspective on the violence of Partition in the Punjab, depicting peaceful villagers turned into enemies. [Memory Trick: 'Singh' (Khushwant) was 'happy' ('Khush') in united India, until the tragic partition 'Train' tore through his land!]
9
Who penned the internationally phenomenally successful seven-part 'Harry Potter' fantasy novel series?
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Explanation
British author Joanne Kathleen Rowling (J.K. Rowling) wrote the adventure of the young wizard Harry Potter, becoming one of the best-selling series in history. [Memory Trick: 'JK' (Just Kidding) - Magic isn't real, but 'Rowling' keeps us rolling in our magic wizard dreams!]
10
Which female Indian author made history as the first citizen residing in India to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel 'The God of Small Things'?
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Explanation
Arundhati Roy won the Man Booker Prize for her semi-autobiographical debut novel set in Kerala, charting childhood trauma and social caste structures. [Memory Trick: 'Roy'-al writing on how 'Small' things govern our giant human hearts!]
11
Who wrote 'The Republic', a foundational philosophical work on justice, the order of states, and the concept of rule by Philosopher-kings?
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Explanation
Plato, a student of Socrates, wrote 'The Republic' in Socratic dialogue format around 375 BCE to define justice and ideal citizenship. [Memory Trick: To make a perfect 'Republic', you need a flat, solid 'Plate' ('Plato') of equal rights to build on!]
12
Which legendary Russian author penned the epic historical masterpieces 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'?
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Explanation
Count Leo Tolstoy is regarded as a giant of world realist literature, known for his philosophical ideas on non-violent resistance. [Memory Trick: A giant 'Leo' (lion) of Russian writing who told us ('Tol'-stoy) the real story of 'War and Peace'!]
13
Which eminent scientific book published in 1859 by Charles Darwin introduced the concept of natural selection and evolutionary biology?
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Explanation
Charles Darwin’s 'On the Origin of Species' revolutionized biology by establishing that all species of life have descended from common ancestors. [Memory Trick: Darwin went to 'Origin' islands to study different 'Species' of finches!]
14
Which iconic Bengali novelist wrote 'Devdas' (1917) and 'Parineeta' (1914), both of which were adapted into legendary Indian films multiple times?
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Explanation
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote intense emotional dramas exploring domestic life and caste conflicts, highly valued for sensitive character portrayals. [Memory Trick: Poor 'Devdas' was in 'Sarat' (crisis/agony) of love, weeping under a 'Chandra' (moonlit) tree!]
15
Who wrote the famous lyrical Hindi poetry collection 'Madhushala' (The Tavern), utilizing the metaphor of wine to describe life's philosophy?
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Explanation
Harivansh Rai Bachchan, an influential Hindi poet of the Chhayavaad movement, wrote Madhushala in 1935, which became a beloved recital classic. [Memory Trick: The patriarch of the 'Bachchan' dynasty holding a musical cup of sweet Hindi poetry!]
16
Which novel by Vikram Seth is a monumental 1,349-page work depicting Post-independence India, focusing on a mother's search for a groom for her daughter?
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Explanation
'A Suitable Boy' is one of the longest English novels ever published, offering a panoramic look at family and multi-faith dynamics in India near 1951. [Memory Trick: Lata's family seeks 'A Suitable Boy' across a 'Vikram'-sized geographic landscape!]
17
Which social realist debut novel by Aravind Adiga won the Man Booker Prize in 2008, showcasing class struggle through the protagonist Balram Halwai?
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Explanation
'The White Tiger' provides a dark, satirical narrative of India’s class divisions, tracing a village boy's rise from tea shop worker to wealthy entrepreneur. [Memory Trick: Balram is a rare, fierce, and lone 'White Tiger' escaping the dark cages of social poverty!]
18
Which eminent book was compiled by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India's first President, analyzing the partition crisis and Hindu-Muslim demographics?
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Explanation
'India Divided' was written in 1946, where Dr. Rajendra Prasad argued against partition, proposing federal alternatives for unified growth. [Memory Trick: Our first president 'Rajendra' watched India get 'Divided' with deep administrative pain!]
19
Which collection of poems earned Sarojini Naidu the elegant title 'Nightingale of India' (Bharat Kokila)?
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Explanation
Sarojini Naidu's debut poetry collection, 'The Golden Threshold' (1905), captured natural beauty and folklore in musical verse. [Memory Trick: At the dawn of national freedom, Naidu stood at 'The Golden Threshold' singing sweet melodies!]
20
What is the title of the famous autobiography of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, published in 1994?
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Explanation
'Long Walk to Freedom' charts Mandela's 27-year imprisonment in Robben Island and his eventual presidency in South Africa. [Memory Trick: Fighting segregation takes a very 'Long Walk' to achieve ultimate 'Freedom'!]
21
Which iconic dramatist wrote 'Hamlet', 'Macbeth', 'King Lear', and 'Othello' during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras?
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Explanation
William Shakespeare is globally recognized as the greatest English-language playwright, writing tragedies that explore human ambition and madness. [Memory Trick: A legendary bard who 'shakes' the dramatic 'spear' of English vocabulary!]
22
Which Indian author wrote 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India' (2016), exposing the economic and cultural exploitation during the colonial era?
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Explanation
Shashi Tharoor's 'An Era of Darkness' details the destruction of Indian industries under British rule, winning the Sahitya Akademi Award. [Memory Trick: Tharoor uses heavy vocab ('Shashi') to pierce the historical 'Darkness' of colonial exploitation!]
23
Who wrote 'Satyarth Prakash' (The Light of Truth) in 1875, advocating for the return to the pure wisdom of the Vedas?
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Explanation
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, authored this theological treatise to champion public reform and Vedic studies. [Memory Trick: The rising 'Day' (Dayanand) brings the 'Satyarth' (Truth-meaning) 'Prakash' (Light) to wash away ignorance!]
24
Which acclaimed female Hindi poet won the Jnanpith Award in 1982 for her poetry collection titled 'Yama'?
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Explanation
Mahadevi Varma, a prominent figure in the 'Chhayavaad' school of Hindi literature, is often termed the 'Modern Mira'. [Memory Trick: The 'Maha' (great) goddess 'Devi' of Hindi literature singing the sorrowful verses of 'Yama'!]
25
Who is the creator of the famous children's characters 'Rusty' and wrote warm stories of the Himalayan foothills in 'The Blue Umbrella'?
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Explanation
Ruskin Bond is a prolific Indian author of British descent, living in Landour, Mussoorie, deeply adored for children's literature. [Memory Trick: Nature-loving writer living on hilltops with a warm 'Bond' with the green forests!]
Tyagi