The Great Gatsby Practice Questions
20 free The Great Gatsby practice questions for the English Literature. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Who is the author of The Great Gatsby?
- A Ernest Hemingway
- B F. Scott Fitzgerald
- C Nathaniel Hawthorne
- D William Faulkner
Correct answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is one of the most important American novels of the Jazz Age.
In which year was The Great Gatsby first published?
- A 1919
- B 1922
- C 1925
- D 1930
Correct answer: 1925
The Great Gatsby was first published in 1925. The novel reflects the social atmosphere, wealth, and moral restlessness of 1920s America.
Who narrates The Great Gatsby?
- A Jay Gatsby
- B Nick Carraway
- C Tom Buchanan
- D George Wilson
Correct answer: Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway narrates the novel. His perspective shapes how readers understand Gatsby, Daisy, and the world of wealth around them.
What is Jay Gatsby's real name?
- A James Gatz
- B John Gatsby
- C Jimmy Fay
- D George Wolfe
Correct answer: James Gatz
Jay Gatsby's real name is James Gatz. His change of name reflects his attempt to reinvent himself and escape his poor background.
Where does Gatsby live in the novel?
- A East Egg
- B West Egg
- C The Valley of Ashes
- D Chicago
Correct answer: West Egg
Gatsby lives in West Egg, a place associated with newly acquired wealth. His mansion stands across the bay from Daisy's home in East Egg.
Where do Tom and Daisy Buchanan live?
- A West Egg
- B East Egg
- C The Valley of Ashes
- D New Haven
Correct answer: East Egg
Tom and Daisy live in East Egg, which represents old inherited wealth. Their social position contrasts with Gatsby's newer, more theatrical wealth.
What does the green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolize for Gatsby?
- A His growing fear of the open sea
- B His dream of Daisy and an ideal future
- C His deep hatred of inherited wealth
- D His secret plan to leave America forever
Correct answer: His dream of Daisy and an ideal future
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's dream of Daisy and his hope for a perfect future. It also becomes a broader symbol of the American Dream's promise and illusion.
Who is Daisy Buchanan's husband?
- A Jay Gatsby
- B Nick Carraway
- C Tom Buchanan
- D Meyer Wolfsheim
Correct answer: Tom Buchanan
Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan. Their marriage is marked by wealth, carelessness, and emotional dissatisfaction.
Who is Tom Buchanan's mistress?
- A Jordan Baker
- B Myrtle Wilson
- C Catherine
- D Lucille McKee
Correct answer: Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle Wilson is Tom Buchanan's mistress. Her relationship with Tom exposes class inequality and moral corruption in the novel.
What is the Valley of Ashes in The Great Gatsby?
- A A rich seaside resort town
- B An industrial wasteland near New York City
- C Gatsby's lavish private garden
- D An elite private college campus
Correct answer: An industrial wasteland near New York City
The Valley of Ashes is a bleak industrial area between the Eggs and New York City. It symbolizes poverty, decay, and the human cost behind wealth.
Which figure is represented by the eyes on the billboard in the Valley of Ashes?
- A Dr. T. J. Eckleburg
- B Mr. M. Wolfsheim
- C Capt. D. Cody
- D Mr. H. Gatz
Correct answer: Dr. T. J. Eckleburg
The billboard shows the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. These eyes are often interpreted as a symbol of moral judgment or the emptiness of modern spiritual values.
Who is Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby?
- A A pro golfer and Daisy's close friend
- B Gatsby's estranged younger sister
- C Tom's longtime personal secretary
- D Nick's visiting distant cousin
Correct answer: A pro golfer and Daisy's close friend
Jordan Baker is a professional golfer and Daisy's friend. She also becomes romantically involved with Nick for part of the novel.
What kind of gatherings is Gatsby famous for hosting?
- A Religious meetings
- B Political rallies
- C Court trials
- D Lavish parties
Correct answer: Lavish parties
Gatsby is famous for hosting lavish parties at his mansion. These parties attract crowds, but most guests know little about Gatsby himself.
Why does Gatsby host extravagant parties?
- A To impress Tom Buchanan's circle
- B To become the town's next mayor
- C To secretly hide away from Nick
- D To win back Daisy's attention
Correct answer: To win back Daisy's attention
Gatsby hosts parties partly in the hope that Daisy will come to one of them. His wealth and display are directed toward recovering his lost dream of her.
Who kills Jay Gatsby?
- A Tom Buchanan
- B Meyer Wolfsheim
- C George Wilson
- D Nick Carraway
Correct answer: George Wilson
George Wilson kills Gatsby after believing Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death. He is misled about the truth and acts out of grief and desperation.
Who is actually driving the car that kills Myrtle Wilson?
- A Jay Gatsby himself
- B Nick Carraway
- C Jordan Baker
- D Daisy Buchanan
Correct answer: Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan is driving the car when Myrtle is killed. Gatsby takes responsibility because of his love for Daisy and his desire to protect her.
Which theme is central to The Great Gatsby?
- A The corruption of the American Dream
- B Medieval feudal loyalty and honor
- C Puritan village justice and law only
- D Frontier survival in the wilderness
Correct answer: The corruption of the American Dream
The novel strongly explores the corruption of the American Dream. Gatsby's dream is built on hope and self-invention, but it is damaged by wealth, illusion, and moral carelessness.
What does Gatsby want Daisy to say about her past with Tom?
- A That she never really loved Tom
- B That she will move to Europe alone
- C That she wants Nick to marry Jordan
- D That she will give up her money
Correct answer: That she never really loved Tom
Gatsby wants Daisy to say she never loved Tom. This shows his desire to erase the past and recreate life exactly as he imagined it.
Which statement best describes Nick Carraway's role in the novel?
- A He is both narrator and moral observer
- B He is the main criminal leader
- C He is Daisy's father
- D He is a silent character who never speaks
Correct answer: He is both narrator and moral observer
Nick is both the narrator and a moral observer of the novel's events. His judgments guide the reader's view of Gatsby and the careless wealthy society around him.
What does Gatsby's tragic end mainly suggest?
- A Illusion and corruption can destroy dreams
- B Money always guarantees lasting happiness
- C The past can always be repeated perfectly
- D Moral responsibility is simply unnecessary
Correct answer: Illusion and corruption can destroy dreams
Gatsby's death shows the danger of building life on illusion and impossible dreams. The novel presents his hope as admirable but also doomed by social corruption and emotional blindness.