UGC NET Paper 2 English Mock Test - 9 - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is 'a - 4, b - 3, c - 1, d - 2'

Key Points

• The Spider and the Fly is a poem written by Mary Botham Howitt. It was originally published in 1829.
• The House on Elm Street is a dark poem written by Nadia Bush.
• The Comet is a poem describing the spectacular sight of a comet in full flight by Norman Littleford.
• Endymion is a poem composed by the English poet John Keats. It opens with the famous line 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever'.

Thus, we can conclude that Option 1 is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 'Out of Place'.

Key Points

Edward Said was a Palestinian American academic, political activist, and literary critic.

• He examined literature in light of social and cultural politics and was an outspoken proponent of the political rights of the Palestinian people and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
• His autobiography, Out of Place (1999), reflects the ambivalence he felt over living in both the Western and Eastern traditions. 
• It is a compassionate and lyrical memoir.
• This memoir explores his feelings of displacement in both his cultural setting and his family, revealing the roots of his intellectual, political, and personal unfolding.

Thus, we can say that the title of Edward Said's autobiography is Out of Place.

Additional Information

• Culture and Imperialism (1993), by Edward Said, is a collection of thematically related essays that trace the connection between imperialism and culture throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
• Representations of the Intellectual is based on his 1993 Reith Lectures. In this essay, he explores what it means to be an intellectual today.
  • He argues that the intellectual's role is to represent a message or view not only to, but for, a public, and to do so as an outsider - someone who cannot be co-opted by a government or corporation.
• Orientalism is his best-known work and one of the most influential scholarly books of the 20th century.

The correct answer is 'is easy to read and understand'.

 Key Points

• Barthes uses the term "readerly text" to describe a text that is easy to read and understand.
• Readerly texts offer a single, unambiguous meaning and do not require the reader to work hard to interpret them.
• Readerly texts are designed to appeal to a wide audience and to provide a pleasurable reading experience.
• They do not challenge the reader's assumptions or beliefs, and they do not require the reader to think critically about the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect because readerly texts offer a single, but do not offer ambiguous meaning. 
• Option 3 is incorrect because readerly texts do not encourage the reader to engage with the text on a personal level.
• Option 4 is incorrect because readerly texts do not challenge the reader to think critically about the text.

The correct answer is 'Political Indoctrination.'

 Key Points

• "Final Solutions" delves into the theme of political indoctrination, particularly the manipulation of religious identity for political purposes.
• Dattani explores how individuals and communities become pawns in the political chessboard, leading to communal tensions.
• The characters grapple with external forces that exploit religious differences to further their political agendas.
• The play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangerous consequences of political manipulation based on religious identity.
• Through nuanced character interactions, Dattani highlights the insidious impact of political indoctrination on societal harmony.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3.'

 Additional Information

• Intergenerational Conflict: While societal conflicts are present, the central focus is on political indoctrination.
• Cultural Assimilation: While cultural themes may be explored, the primary thematic undercurrent is political indoctrination.
• Social Alienation: Social alienation may be a consequence, but the root cause explored is political indoctrination.

The correct answer is "Mary Astell".

Key Points

• Mary Astell's work A Serious Proposal to the Ladies was published in 1694.
• Astell's issue is not that women are materially oppressed or that they lack rights in a patriarchal culture.
• Instead, she claims that their selves have been perverted, that most women lack autonomy - internal independence and self-mastery - and are instead ruled by their emotions.
• The first section of this article argues that wealthy women who do not intend to marry should use their dowries to fund residential women's colleges that give upper- and middle-class women the recommended education.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• Mary Wollstonecraft was a British writer, philosopher, and feminist activist. Wollstonecraft's life, which included multiple unusual personal connections at the time, gained more attention than her writing until the late twentieth century.
• Mary Shelley was an English novelist best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which is regarded as an early example of science fiction. She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, a Romantic poet and philosopher.
• The feminist who initiated the second wave of the women's liberation movement was Kate Millett, author of the revolutionary bestseller Sexual Politics. Millett proposed that the personal is political for women. The basis of Sexual Politics (1970) was an analysis of patriarchal power.

The correct answer is 'It establishes Durbeyfield's noble lineage.'

 Key Points

• The excerpt states that the d'Urbervilles are an "ancient and knightly family" who trace their lineage back to Sir Pagan d'Urberville, a renowned knight who came to England with William the Conqueror.
• This information is significant because it establishes Durbeyfield's noble lineage, connecting him to a long and prestigious family history.
• The d'Urberville family is described as "ancient and knightly," suggesting a long and prestigious lineage.
• Durbeyfield's surprise at the revelation of his family history highlights the significance of this information in establishing his noble lineage.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.'

Additional Information

• Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect because the excerpt does not provide any evidence to support these claims. 

The correct answer is 'To establish a connection between Durbeyfield and the d'Urberville family.'

 Key Points

• The speaker goes to great lengths to explain Durbeyfield's lineage and connection to the d'Urberville family.
• This suggests that the speaker's intention is to establish a connection between Durbeyfield and the d'Urberville family, possibly to assert their own authority or to gain favor or simply provide him with a sense of pride in his heritage with Durbeyfield.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3.'

Additional Information

• Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect because the excerpt does not provide any evidence to support these claims. 

The correct answer is 'Informative and neutral.'

 Key Points

• The speaker provides Durbeyfield with information about his family history in a straightforward and objective manner.
• There is no evidence of boastfulness, arrogance, sarcasm, or condescension in the speaker's tone.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4.'

Additional Information

• Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect because the excerpt does not provide any evidence to support these claims 

The correct answer is "Trochaic".

Key Points

• In English poetic metre and modern linguistics, a trochee is a metrical foot consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• "Iambic" refers to the type of foot that in English indicates an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
• A "dactyl" is a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed, syllables. 
• Anapest is a metrical foot consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable.

The correct answer is 'Look Back in Anger.'

 Key Points

• "Look Back in Anger" is a groundbreaking play by John Osborne, first performed in 1956.
• The play is a seminal work of the "Angry Young Men" movement in British drama, reflecting the discontent and disillusionment of the working class in post-war Britain.
• The protagonist, Jimmy Porter, becomes a symbol of the angry and frustrated young man railing against societal conventions.
• Osborne's play is characterized by its raw emotion, social critique, and departure from traditional theatrical conventions.
• "Look Back in Anger" marked a significant shift in British drama, challenging the established order and paving the way for more realistic and socially relevant plays.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect. "The Caretaker" is a play by Harold Pinter, not John Osborne. It explores themes of power, identity, and social dynamics.
• Option 3 is incorrect. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a play by Edward Albee, not John Osborne. It delves into the complexities of marriage and societal expectations.
• Option 4 is incorrect. "The Birthday Party" is a play by Harold Pinter, not John Osborne. It involves psychological tension and absurdity.

The correct answer is 'Walt Whitman.'

 Key Points

• Walt Whitman, an American poet (1819–1892), is associated with transcendentalism and is best known for his collection "Leaves of Grass."
• "Song of Myself" is a prominent poem within "Leaves of Grass," celebrating individualism, the human spirit, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
• Whitman's poetry reflects a belief in the inherent goodness of people and a connection to nature and the universe.
• His free verse style and exploration of democratic ideals have had a profound influence on American poetry.
• Whitman's work is often considered a cornerstone of American literary and poetic tradition.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect. Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style and concise, often enigmatic poems.
• Option 3 is incorrect. Robert Frost is a renowned American poet known for his rural and nature-themed poetry.
• Option 4 is incorrect. Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and is known for his contributions to African American literature.

The correct answer is 'Universal Grammar.'

Key Points 

• Universal Grammar, proposed by Noam Chomsky, posits that humans have an innate linguistic ability and a universal set of grammatical principles that underlie all languages.
• In second language acquisition, Universal Grammar suggests that learners tap into this innate linguistic knowledge to acquire the grammatical structures of the target language.
• Chomsky's theory contrasts with behaviorist views that emphasize environmental stimuli and reinforcement in language learning.
• The idea is that there are universal principles guiding language acquisition, and learners use these principles when acquiring both their first and second languages.
• Universal Grammar has had a significant impact on the field of second language acquisition research.

Therefore, the correct option is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information 

• Option 1 is incorrect. Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors and conditioning in learning, not innate cognitive mechanisms.
• Option 2 is incorrect. Input Hypothesis, proposed by Stephen Krashen, emphasizes the importance of comprehensible input in language acquisition.
• Option 4 is incorrect. Affective Filter Hypothesis suggests that emotional factors can influence language learning success.

The correct answer is ‘Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.’

Key Points 

• Both the Assertion and Reason are true.
• In "The Advancement of Learning," Francis Bacon critiques the traditional scholastic methods of learning prevalent during the Renaissance.
• Bacon advocates for a more empirical and inductive approach to acquiring knowledge, emphasizing observation, experimentation, and systematic inquiry.
• He believes that knowledge should be derived from experience and the careful observation of nature rather than relying solely on deductive reasoning.
• The Reason correctly explains the Assertion by stating that Bacon's work signifies a shift towards empirical methods and a departure from the rigid scholasticism of the time.

Therefore, the correct option is ‘Option 1.’

Additional Information 

• Option 2 is incorrect. The Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.
• Option 3 is incorrect. Both the Assertion and Reason are true.
• Option 4 is incorrect. The Assertion is true, and the Reason is true.

The Movement poets were considered averse to romanticism, but Philip Larkin and Ted Hughes displayed romantic elements. To the poets associated to the Movement, good poetry meant simple, sensuous content and traditional, conventional and dignified form. The group's objective was to establish the importance of English poetry over the new modernist poetry. The members of the Movement were not anti-modernists; but opposed modernism, which was reflected in the Englishness of their poetry. The poems written by the Movement showed nostalgia for the earlier Britain, besides being filled with pastoral images of the degenerating way of life as Britain moved away from the rural towards the urban.

• The poem deals with an encounter between the poet (human) and a beautiful and delicate bird (Non-human). It reflects the reaction of the bird as it came to know about the presence of the poet.

• As soon as the bird realizes the presence of the poet it stirred, its head like one in danger and unrolled his feathers in a sense of cautiousness.

• The reaction shows the distrust of the non-human about the humans.

The Commonwealth was the period from 1649- 1660, a time when England and Wales, along with Ireland and Scotland, were ruled as a republic. This happened after the end of the Second English Civil war and the trial and execution of Charles I. Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan leader, took over, who was succeeded by his son Richard Cromwell, who ruled

England till 1660. In this period Puritanism became unpopular and the people realized that Britain needed Monarchy. The influence of the Renaissance on literature and art also died by the end of this period.

Some of the important writers and their works are as follows:

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), who wrote Leviathan (1651); Jeremy Taylor (1613- 67); Vaughan (1621-95); Andrew Marvell (1621-78).

The Neo- Classical period – This period persisted between 1660 and 1798. This time period can be broken down into three parts: The Restoration period, the Augustan period, and the Age of Johnson. The writers of this period tried to imitate the style of the Greeks and the Romans.

The Stuart period – It lasted from 1603 to 1714, during the dynasty of the House of Stuart. The period ended with the death of Queen Anne and the accession of King George I from the German House of Hanover.

The Jacobean period – Stretching from 1567-1625, The Jacobean era refers to a period in English and Scottish history when King James I (1603-1625) reigned. The Jacobean era comes after the Elizabethan era and precedes the Caroline era. This period was relatively free of conflicts and wars (as compared to the Elizabethan Age), something that allowed prosperity in Arts and Literature.

• King Alfred, the Great was a monarch of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom from 871 to 899. He is mostly remembered for successfully defended his kingdom against the Viking conquest and for encouraging. the English Language to create National identity. After success against Viking conquest, he imparted his attention to the educational system and proposed that primary education be taught in English and because of only his insistence English became the official written language of England. He retain political control over countries and become the dominant ruler of England.

• King Arthur is a renowned British leader, who played a remarkable role in leading the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and 6th centuries AD. Arthur is a central figure in the legends called matter of Britain. He also served as inspiration for many works, including Morted Arthur, The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson and The Egyptian Maid by Wordsworth.

• Ethelbert of Kent was the ruler of Kent from about 589 to throughout his life. He was best known for being the first English king to convert to Christianity.

• Edward the Elder was the King of Anglo-Saxon Kingdom from 899 until his death. He was the son of Alfred the Great and successor as a king after his death in 899 AD.

The first poem dedicated to the vampire was John Stagg's "The Vampyre" published in his 1810 collection "The Minstrel of North".

“Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide.”

John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

The correct answer is 'The harm principle'.

Key Points

• John Stuart Mill's philosophy, particularly as outlined in his seminal work "On Liberty," is fundamentally associated with the harm principle. This principle asserts that the only justification for exercising power over any member of a civilized community, against their will, is to prevent harm to others.
• Mill argues for the importance of individuality and freedom of expression, insisting that freedom should only be limited to prevent harm to others, thus promoting societal progress through the free exchange of ideas.
• This concept reflects Mill's utilitarian ethics, aiming at the greatest happiness for the greatest number, by suggesting that protecting individuals' freedom to pursue their own good, in their own way, is essential to maximizing overall happiness.
• The harm principle is crucial for understanding Mill's arguments for free speech and against censorship. He believed that allowing diverse opinions and expressions, even those considered wrong or harmful by the majority, contributes to the pursuit of truth and the betterment of society.
• Through this principle, Mill advocates for minimal interference of government in the lives of individuals, except where directly necessary to prevent harm to others, emphasizing the value of personal autonomy and the dangers of overreaching authority.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information

• The divine right of kings and the categorical imperative are not concepts associated with Mill's philosophy; they belong to monarchical theory and Immanuel Kant's philosophy, respectively.
• While the social contract is a significant concept in political philosophy, it is more closely associated with philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes than with Mill's work on liberty

The correct answer is 'Accidentally killing Mary Dalton'.

Key Points

• "Native Son" is a novel by Richard Wright that explores themes of racism, poverty, and social justice through the life of its protagonist, Bigger Thomas, an African American living in poverty in Chicago during the 1930s.
• The pivotal event that drastically changes Bigger's life is when he accidentally kills Mary Dalton, the daughter of his wealthy white employers. This act happens during a moment of panic when Mary is intoxicated, and Bigger fears being found in her room by her blind mother.
• The accidental killing and Bigger's subsequent actions to cover up his involvement propel the narrative into an exploration of the systemic and personal consequences of racial segregation and economic disparity.
• The incident leads to Bigger's spiraling descent into a series of further crimes and ultimately, his arrest and trial, highlighting the harsh realities of the societal and judicial systems of the time.
• Wright uses this event to critique the societal conditions that lead to such tragic outcomes and to examine the psychological effects of racism and poverty on African Americans.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Winning a lottery, moving to Chicago, and graduating from college are not events that occur in "Native Son" or significantly impact Bigger Thomas' trajectory in the storyline presented by Richard Wright.

The correct answer is 'Richard Hoggart'.

Key Points

• Richard Hoggart founded the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) in 1964, at the University of Birmingham, England.
• The CCCS became a key institution in the development of Cultural Studies as an interdisciplinary field, studying cultural practices and their relation to power, politics, and society.
• Hoggart's work, particularly "The Uses of Literacy" (1957), which examined the changes imposed by mass media on working-class culture in the UK, provided a critical foundation for the center's focus and direction.
• Under Hoggart's leadership, and later Stuart Hall's, the CCCS explored themes such as subcultures, popular music, race, gender, working-class society, and the role of media in cultural formation and societal control.
• The CCCS was influential in promoting the idea that culture must be studied within the social and economic contexts that produce it, leading to groundbreaking research that has shaped Cultural Studies as a discipline.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• While Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall were influential figures in Cultural Studies and associated with the Birmingham Centre, Hoggart was its founder.
• Michel Foucault, although a significant philosopher and critical theorist whose ideas have influenced Cultural Studies, was not directly involved in the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies or its foundation.

The correct answer is 'The limitations of marriage for women.'

Key Points

• "Middlemarch," by George Eliot, uses the character of Dorothea Brooke to deeply explore the theme of the limitations of marriage for women during the 19th century, particularly in the context of personal growth, autonomy, and fulfillment.
• Dorothea is portrayed as an intelligent, idealistic young woman with a strong desire to engage in meaningful work and contribute to society. However, her aspirations are constrained by the societal expectations placed upon women and the institution of marriage.
• Her initial marriage to Mr. Casaubon, an elderly and pedantic scholar, symbolizes the suppression of a woman's intellect and ambitions due to the restrictive confines of marriage. Dorothea's disillusionment in this marriage highlights the mismatch between her aspirations and the reality of her role as a wife.
• Through Dorothea's journey, Eliot critiques the societal norms that limit women's opportunities for intellectual and emotional growth, urging readers to reflect on the potential contributions women could make if not shackled by restrictive marriages.
• Dorothea's character arc, including her eventual remarrying to Will Ladislaw, serves not only as a personal quest for fulfillment but also as a broader commentary on the necessity for societal change to allow women to live fulfilling, autonomous lives.
• Eliot's nuanced portrayal of Dorothea Brooke elevates "Middlemarch" beyond a simple narrative, using her struggle and development to examine larger questions about gender roles, the institution of marriage, and the quest for personal identity.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because while social class plays a significant role in "Middlemarch," it is not the primary theme explored through Dorothea Brooke.
• Option 2: Incorrect as the pursuit of knowledge is a theme in the novel, but it more closely relates to other characters, such as Mr. Casaubon, than to Dorothea's primary narrative arc.
• Option 4: Incorrect because the impact of industrialization is a backdrop to "Middlemarch," offering context to the societal changes occurring, but it is not the main theme explored through Dorothea's character.

The correct answer is ' By obscuring the distinction between reality and simulation'.

Key Points

• Jean Baudrillard argued that the media plays a crucial role in creating a society where the distinction between reality and simulation becomes increasingly obscured, leading to hyperreality.
• He believed that media saturation contributes to the production and consumption of symbols and signs that represent things more than the things themselves, thus distorting our perception of reality.
• Baudrillard posited that in this environment, people are inundated with simulacra, or copies of things that no longer have a direct link to any reality, making it difficult to discern the authentic from the imitation.
• This impact of the media contributes to a societal condition where individuals are less grounded in the physical, immediate reality and more engaged with representations that may not accurately reflect the real world.
• He viewed this as leading to a disconnection from traditional markers of identity and reality, as media-driven simulations dominate our understanding and interaction with our environment.
• Baudrillard’s critique emphasizes the transformative power of media in shaping not just culture and communication, but the very fabric of reality itself.

The correct answer is 'Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion'.

Key Points

• Hemingway was indeed awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
• "The Old Man and the Sea" played a significant role in earning him this recognition due to its profound narrative technique and storytelling.
• The novel is a prime example of Hemingway's skill in creating compelling and emotive narratives with minimalistic prose.
• The Nobel Committee praised his ability to create powerful stories that resonate deeply with human emotions and struggles.
• This mastery of storytelling, as exemplified in "The Old Man and the Sea," demonstrates why the assertion and reason are directly connected.

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3, 4

Key Points

• "Waiting for Godot" was first performed in 1953. It's one of Beckett's most well-known plays and a cornerstone of the Theatre of the Absurd.
• "Endgame" was first performed in 1957. The play depicts the slow demise of Hamm, a blind man unable to stand, and his servant, Clov, who can't sit.
• "Krapp's Last Tape" was first performed in 1958. The one-act play, in English, was written for Northern Irish actor Patrick Magee and is a monologue set in Krapp's den.
• "Happy Days" was first performed in 1961. The two-character play follows Winnie, a woman buried up to her waist who performs mundane routines and remains optimistic.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

1 and  4 

Reader used by eighteenth-and nineteenth-century novelists to address the reader of their words. Henry Fielding, for example, used it eleven times in Joseph Andrews adding in- stances of O reader, (O) my good reader. One of the best-known literary quotes is from Charlotte Bronte's JaneEyre: Reader, I married him.

Paradise Lost is an Epic, written in blank verse by John Milton published first in 1667 and revised again in 1674 with the second edition. The epic poem constituted in 12 books. In Book 4, Milton describes the first experience of Adam and Eve after created by God.

She explains how she wandered over to a lake and was startled by her own reflection in the water. A voice led her to Adam. When Adam called her back, telling her that she was created from his side and that he claims her “other half”.

The Dark Lady of the Sonnets is a one act comic play by Bernard Shaw first premiered in 1910. The play resume the first meeting of William Shakespeare with Queen Elizabeth while he was intending to meet the Dark lady on whom his sonnets are based.

George Bernard Shaw’s The Dark Lady of the Sonnets is a fun, one act play that reconceive William Shakespeare’s and Queen Elizabeth’s first meeting. Written as an appeal to create a National Theatre in England, the short play has William is going to Whitehall palace to meet the Dark Lady to whom he addresses his sonnets of love and eventually meet Queen Elizabeth there.