UGC NET Paper 2 English Mock Test - 3 - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is ‘The speaker takes off his cycle-clips, moves forward and runs his hand around the font, mounts the lectern, pronounces "Here endeth", signs the book at the door, and donates an Irish sixpence.’ 

Key Points

• The speaker takes off his cycle-clips in awkward reverence. 
• He moves forward and runs his hand around the font.
• He mounts the lectern and peruses a few hectoring large-scale verses.
• He pronounces "Here endeth" much more loudly than he intended.
• He signs the book at the door and donates an Irish sixpence.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 1.’

The correct answer is 'Rasa Theory.'

 Key Points

• "Abhijanashakuntalam" utilizes the classical Indian dramatic technique of Rasa Theory.
• Rasa Theory involves invoking emotions in the audience through the portrayal of specific sentiments or flavors (rasas).
• Shakuntala's character is designed to evoke the audience's emotions, primarily the rasa of shringara (romantic love).
• The play carefully weaves elements of the rasa theory into Shakuntala's dialogues, actions, and interactions.
• Rasa Theory enhances the emotional depth of Shakuntala's character, making her a captivating and relatable figure.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.'

 Additional Information

• Avadhana: Avadhana is a form of literary and cultural performance but is not the primary technique enhancing Shakuntala's character.
• Sanskrit Slokas: While Sanskrit slokas are used in the play, the emotional depth is more enriched through Rasa Theory.
• Nataka Style: The play may incorporate elements of the Nataka style, but Rasa Theory is the specific technique enhancing Shakuntala's character emotionally.

The correct answer is Option C.

Key Points

• "Song of Myself" is a famous poem written by Walt Whitman and published in his collection "Leaves of Grass."
• The line "I celebrate myself, and sing myself" is the opening line of the poem, which emphasizes the individualistic and self-revelatory nature of Whitman's work.
• In "Song of Myself," Whitman explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
• The poem reflects the spirit of individualism and celebration of the self that are central to the modernist movement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

The correct answer is 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes.

Key Points

• In his work, Mikhail Bakhtin uses "Don Quixote" as a key text to illustrate his theory of dialogism and the carnivalesque.
• Bakhtin's theory of dialogism argues that meaning in a text is not fixed but constructed through the interaction and conflict of different voices.
• His concept of the carnivalesque is a subversion and liberation of the dominant style or atmosphere through humor and chaos. "Don Quixote" with its interplay of high and low characters, serious and comic scenarios, embodies this idea.
• Bakhtin's theories offer a different way of reading and interpreting texts, emphasizing the importance of context, plurality, and heteroglossia.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is HornerKey Points

• Horner, a wealthy rake, addresses the audience.
• He describes the tenacity of playwrights and poets who never tire of writing for an audience, no matter how much the audience might criticize their work.
• In fact, writers anticipate a negative reaction from their audience and, therefore, they defy their critics and get the first word in. 
• In the prologue, the actor playing Harry Horner introduces the play with a message from the playwright. He tells the audience that the playwright expects the audience to be offended by the play but “his play shan’t ask your leave to live” 
• Harry Horner is a wealthy London socialite who has a reputation as a great wit and a notorious womanizer.
• He spreads a rumour that he has caught a venereal disease and that, after being treated by a French surgeon, he has been left impotent.
• Horner does this so that men will allow him to spend time with their wives without suspicion that he might seduce them.
• Horner also, rightly, believes that his plan will encourage women to have affairs with him because his reputation of impotence will safeguard their own honourable reputations.

Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer.

 Additional Information

• Pinchwife is Margery’s husband. He is obsessively jealous and is terrified of being made to look foolish.
• He has chosen Margery as a wife because he believes that she is innocent and naïve and therefore easy to control.
• Pinchwife is bullying and hypocritical in his treatment of Margery. He expects total fidelity from her, suspects her every move, even when she is faithful to him, and resorts to imprisoning and abusing her when his jealousy gets out of control. 
• Lady Fidget is Sir Jasper Fidget’s wife and, ironically, a woman known in the town for being extremely virtuous and honourable.
• She spends most of her time with her sister-in-law, Mrs Dainty Fidget, and her friend Mrs Squeamish, and the trio are known as the virtuous gang.
• Their reputation as women who are honourable is extremely ironic as, underneath this public image, Lady Fidget and her friends are highly promiscuous
• Mrs Squeamish is a fashionable town lady, the companion of Lady Fidget and Mrs Dainty Fidget and a member of the virtuous gang.
• Mrs Squeamish is unmarried and lives under the care of her grandmother, Old Lady Squeamish. 

• The Mimic Men is a novel by V. S. Naipaul a Nobel Prize-winning British writer of Trinidad first published in 1967. The novel Centred on a protagonist, Ralph Singh, an East Indian-West Indian politician from Isabella.
• Wide Sargasso Sea is a postcolonial novel by the British author Jean Rhys in 1966. The novel is written as a prequel and response to Charlotte Bronte’s noted novel Jane Eyre.
• Indigo is a novel written by Marina Warner published in 1992. The novel is a modernized and altered retelling of William Shakespeare s, famous Romantic comedy The Tempest.
• Foe is a novel by South African-born Nobel laureate J. M. Coetzee written in 1986. the famous novel is woven around the existing plot of Robinson Crusoe with the protagonist Susan Barton.

The mariner killed the Albatross as he thought it to be the reason for the wind to die, although the other sailors thought that the bird was associated with good luck.

The concept of "Star-equilibrium" in connection with man-woman relationship appears in Women in Love. It discloses Lawrence's assertion of establishing the equilibrium Male/Female relationship.

He means that his neighbour is a traditionalist and is not prepared to change his views.

Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation.

Persuasion is the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen. It was published at the end of 1817, six months after her death.

The story concerns Anne Elliot, a young Englishwoman of 27 years, whose family is moving to lower their expenses and get out of debt. They rent their home to an Admiral and his wife. The wife’s brother, Navy Captain Frederick Wentworth, had been engaged to Anne in 1806, and now they meet again, both single and unattached, after no contact in more than seven years. This sets the scene for many humorous encounters as well as a second, well-considered chance at love and marriage for Anne in her second "bloom".

The correct answer is 'Deep understanding of literary theory'.

Key Points

• A deep understanding of literary theory is crucial for interpreting texts beyond their surface-level meanings, allowing researchers to explore a wide range of interpretations based on various critical lenses (e.g., feminist, Marxist, postcolonial theories).
• Literary theory equips researchers with the tools to uncover deeper insights into texts, including their underlying ideologies, narrative structures, and the influence of historical and cultural contexts on their creation and reception.
• It enables scholars to critically examine how texts reflect, resist, or negotiate cultural norms and values, providing a richer understanding of the work's significance within its specific context.
• Understanding literary theory facilitates a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating perspectives from philosophy, sociology, history, and other fields to enrich the analysis and situate texts within broader societal discourses.
• Mastery of literary theory also helps researchers discern the evolution of genres, tropes, and conventions, and how these elements interact with cultural and historical developments.
• This skill supports a critical examination of the power dynamics at play in the production and consumption of literature, highlighting issues of authorship, censorship, and the canon.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 2.’

Additional Information

• Proficiency in statistical analysis (Option 1) is more relevant for quantitative research fields than for traditional literary studies.
• Ability to read in multiple languages (Option 3) can be beneficial for comparative literature research but is not as universally required as a strong grounding in literary theory.
• Expertise in digital humanities tools (Option 4) offers valuable resources for research but is complementary to the foundational role of literary theory in text analysis.

The correct answer is "The Prelude"

Key Points

• "The Prelude" is a long autobiographical poem written by William Wordsworth, not Alexander Pope.
• Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet best known for his satirical and philosophical works during the 18th century.
• "The Rape of the Lock," "The Dunciad," and "An Essay on Criticism" are among Pope's major works.
• "The Rape of the Lock" satirizes the frivolous society of the time, "The Dunciad" targets dullness in literature, and "An Essay on Criticism" is a poetic essay offering literary criticism.

Therefore, the correct answer is "Option 4".

Additional Information

• Option 1: "The Rape of the Lock" is one of Alexander Pope's satirical masterpieces.
• Option 2: "The Dunciad" is a satirical work by Alexander Pope, focusing on the foolishness in literature.
• Option 3: "An Essay on Criticism" is a work by Alexander Pope providing literary criticism.

The correct answer is 'Exploration of the victim's mother contributing to gender injustice.'

Key Points

• "Tara" breaks from tradition by highlighting the victim's mother's role in perpetuating gender injustice.
• The play nuancedly explores the complexity of gender dynamics, challenging the simplistic attribution of blame solely to men.
• Dattani's narrative invites reflection on the multifaceted nature of gender discrimination, involving both men and women in its perpetuation.

The correct answer is '(a) - (iii), (b) - (ii), (c) - (i), (d) - (iv)'.

Key Points

• One Hundred Years of Solitude is a landmark novel by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez, showcasing magical realism and telling the multi-generational story of the Buendía family.
• Crime and Punishment, written by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, explores the psychological anguish of a young student who commits a murder.
• War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy that chronicles the French invasion of Russia and the impact of the Napoleonic era through the lens of five Russian aristocratic families.
• The Great Gatsby, authored by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a quintessential critique of the American Dream set in the Roaring Twenties, centering around the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby.
• Matching each novel with its correct author provides insight into the breadth and diversity of world literature.

Conclusion: Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Options 1, 3, and 4 incorrectly match the novels with their authors, thus providing an inaccurate representation of literary history.

The correct answer is 'The power of compassionate action.'

Key Points

• Embodiment of Virtue: Rose Maylie serves as an embodiment of purity, virtue, and compassion within the novel, showcasing these qualities through her actions and interactions with other characters, including Oliver.
• Influence of Kindness: Through her kind and selfless actions, Rose significantly impacts the lives of those around her, illustrating how compassion and altruism can bring about positive change in others' lives.
• Social Responsibility: Dickens uses Rose's character to highlight the idea of social responsibility among the privileged towards the less fortunate, emphasizing the moral duty to help those in need.
• Contrast to Other Characters: Her gentle nature and willingness to help Oliver starkly contrast with the exploitation and indifference he experiences from many other characters, illuminating the disparities in human decency and compassion within society.
• Representation of Ideals: Rose Maylie represents the Victorian ideal of womanhood—kind, moral, and nurturing—serving as a foil to the darker elements of Victorian society portrayed in the novel and demonstrating the potential for goodness and positive influence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: While class distinctions are explored, Rose represents more than the fragility of the upper class; she embodies the influence of compassion.
• Option 3: The corruption within the orphanage system is addressed elsewhere in the novel, but not specifically through Rose's character.
• Option 4: Although Dickens touches on many social issues, the struggle for women's rights is not a central theme explored through Rose Maylie's character.

The correct answer is 'Intersectionality'.

Key Points

• Intersectionality, a concept pivotal to Cultural Studies, was developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s to describe how race, gender, class, and other individual characteristics intersect with each other and overlap.
• Originally formulated to address the experiences of black women, the concept has broadened to encompass various dimensions of social life and identity that contribute to social inequality and oppression.
• Intersectionality suggests that the various aspects of humanity, such as class, race, and gender, do not exist independently from each other but are interwoven and work together to shape the specific conditions and lived experiences of individuals.
• The framework challenges conventional approaches to social justice and anti-discrimination, highlighting the importance of considering multiple, layered identities when analyzing systems of discrimination and privilege.
• Intersectionality has impacted a wide range of academic disciplines, including Cultural Studies, feminist theory, sociology, and legal studies, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing inequalities in society.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• The encoding/decoding model by Stuart Hall focuses on communication processes and how media messages are produced, disseminated, and interpreted but does not specifically address interlocking systems of oppression.
• Cultural hegemony by Antonio Gramsci deals with the dominion over the cultural society by the ruling class, without specifically focusing on the intersectional aspect of oppression.
• The panoptic principle, as discussed by Michel Foucault in "Discipline and Punish", explores the mechanisms of surveillance and power in society but does not directly address intersectionality and overlapping systems of oppression.

The correct answer is 'Melancholic and reflective'.

Key Points

• Reflective mood: The poem is pervaded by a sense of reflection, looking back on a choice made long ago.
• Sense of melancholy: There's a subtle sense of melancholy or pensiveness, especially as the speaker anticipates that the choice made has had a significant impact on their life.
• Themes of life and choices: It delves into the complex emotions and thoughts surrounding life's irreversible choices and the paths not taken.
• Narrative perspective: The use of the first person and the future tense in reflecting on the past adds to the introspective and somewhat somber tone.
• Ambiguity: The poem leaves open the interpretation of whether the speaker regrets the choice or simply acknowledges its impact, contributing to a reflective tone.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 underestimates the complexity and bittersweet nature of the tone.
• Option 3 is too buoyant and fails to capture the poem's nuanced introspection.
• Option 4 misses the personal and introspective nature of the poem's tone.

The correct answer is 'Hope to return and choose again'.

Key Points

• Optimism: The line conveys the speaker's initial hopeful intention to return and explore the path not chosen.
• Human nature to postpone choices: It reflects a common human tendency to postpone decisions or hope for the opportunity to experience missed opportunities.
• Realization of life's linearity: Despite this hope, there's an underlying realization hinted at in the poem that some choices in life are final, and one may not get a chance to explore all possible paths.
• Insight into the speaker's mindset: Shows the speaker's contemplation and the emotional dilemma of making a decision that excludes other possibilities.
• Universal theme of regret and curiosity: Captures the universal feeling of curiosity about the road not taken and the hypothetical 'what if?' scenarios that come with life's decisions.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 misses the nuanced regret and future-oriented perspective of the decision.
• Option 2 is related but does not capture the essence of hoping to return.
• Option 4 is incorrect as the poem reflects doubt and contemplation, not certainty.

The correct answer is 'Deliberate and doubtful'.

Key Points

• Deliberation: The speaker spends considerable time choosing between the two paths, indicating a thoughtful and intentional decision.
• Doubt: Even after making a choice, the speaker expresses uncertainty about the path not taken and wonders about the consequences of the decision.
• Reflection: The speaker reflects on the decision-making process and its long-term significance, showing careful consideration rather than impulsiveness.
• Human nature: The poem captures a common human condition of hesitation and contemplation when faced with important life choices.
• Awareness of consequences: There's an awareness of the irreversibility of some decisions, as indicated by the speaker's doubt they will ever return to explore the other path.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect because the speaker's choice is not made with joy but with careful thought and a hint of regret.
• Option 2 is incorrect as the decision isn't made hastily but after careful consideration, and the regret is not immediate but reflective.
• Option 4 is incorrect as the decision is not made spontaneously; the speaker clearly deliberates the choice.

The correct answer is 'Life's choices and paths'.

Key Points

• The theme of choices: The "yellow wood" serves as a metaphor for the myriad of choices one encounters in life.
• Symbolism: The autumn setting (implied by the yellow leaves) symbolizes change, decision-making, and the transitions in life.
• Color imagery: The color yellow is often associated with caution and uncertainty, which can relate to the apprehension felt when making important decisions.
• Starting point of journey: The wood is where the journey (or decision-making) begins, representing life's crossroads.
• Universal experience: The setting encapsulates a universal human experience of choosing between different paths in life.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect because it takes the description too literally without considering the metaphorical significance.
• Option 2 is incorrect as there's no direct indication of danger, merely of choice and consequence.
• Option 3 is incorrect as the poem deals more with realistic themes of choice and reflection rather than fantasy.

The correct answer is 'The possibility of moral redemption.'

Key Points

• Moral Complexity: Nancy's character showcases moral complexity, demonstrating that individuals involved in criminal activities can still possess a moral compass and desire for redemption.
• Sacrifice for Good: Despite her own dangerous circumstances, Nancy makes significant sacrifices to help Oliver, illustrating the theme of moral redemption through selfless actions.
• Internal Conflict: Her struggle between loyalty to Sikes and her innate sense of right and wrong highlights the internal conflicts that individuals face when seeking redemption.
• Hope amidst Despair: Nancy's actions provide hope that even those who have led a life of crime can make choices that redeem their moral character, reflecting Dickens's belief in the potential for goodness in everyone.
• Consequences of Choices: Her tragic end serves to underscore the potential for redemption but also the harsh realities and dangers faced by those trapped in a life of crime.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: While social mobility is a theme in the novel, Nancy’s story focuses more on moral choices than class mobility.
• Option 2: Jealousy is not a central theme explored through Nancy's character.
• Option 4: Her story argues more for the fluidity of moral standing than the permanence of social status.

The correct answer is 'Macbeth'.

Key Points

• William Shakespeare wrote the tragedy Macbeth.
• It is believed to have first been performed in 1606.
• The Three Witches are characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. They are also known as the Weird Sisters or Wayward Sisters. The witches eventually bring Macbeth down, and they bear an uncanny resemblance to the three Fates of classical mythology. Their roots can be traced back to Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a chronicle of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
• A courageous Scottish general named Macbeth is prophesied by a trio of witches or also called weird sisters that he will one day become King of Scotland. Macbeth, consumed by ambition and propelled to action by his wife, murders King Duncan and seizes the Scottish throne for himself.

Therefore, the correct option is 'Option 4'.

Additional Information

• The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare that was presumably written in 1610-1611 and is regarded to be one of his final plays written alone.
• William Shakespeare wrote the tragedy Coriolanus between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of Caius Marcius Coriolanus, the renowned Roman leader.
• William Shakespeare wrote the tragedy The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. With 29,551 words, it is Shakespeare's longest play. The play is set in Denmark and follows Prince Hamlet's attempts to wreak revenge on his uncle, Claudius, who murdered Hamlet's father in order to steal the kingdom and marry Hamlet's mother.

The correct answer is 'The study of the reader's role in interpreting a text'.

Key Points

• Reception Theory, also known as Reader-Response Criticism, is a school of literary theory that focuses on the reader's reception of a literary text.
• It emerged in the late 20th century, challenging the then-dominant New Criticism which focused on the text itself, disregarding the reader's role in giving it meaning.
• Reception theorists like Hans-Robert Jauss and Wolfgang Iser argue that a text does not exist in isolation. Instead, its meaning is a dynamic process created in the interaction between the reader and the text.
• This means that every reader, based on their background, experiences, and context, will have a unique interpretation of the text.
• Thus, in Reception Theory, the text's meaning isn't fixed or inherent but is constructed and reconstructed by its readers.

Isaac Bashevi's Singer was a Polish-born American writer of novels, short stories, and essays in Yiddish

Mythos is the Greek word for “story” or “plot.” Frye divides stories into four categories or parts of the Cycle of Mythoi: comedy, romance , tragedy , and irony/satire (the mythos of winter).

A malapropism is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes", rather than "electoral votes". Malapropisms often occur as errors in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention, especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.

This critically acclaimed play by Sahitya Akademi award-winning playwright Mahesh Dattani examines the never-ending saga of Hindu-Muslim conflict in India. Which “side” should take the blame for the madness? What does the future hold? The play ponders these difficult questions through the lens of three generations of a middle-class Gujarati family as they harbor two Muslim boys during a communal riot. Through a stylishly choreographed “mob” that represents the collective voice of either community, and a narrative that slickly moves back and forth between today and 1947, Final Solutions makes us rethink our own communal prejudices and perceptions.

Cleanth Brooks outlines the use of reading poems through paradox as a method of critical interpretation in his essay “The Language of Paradox”,

• William Empson has given the theory of Ambiguity in his seminal work of criticism Seven Types of Ambiguity. The book discuss types of ambiguity that Empson finds in the poetry he criticizes.
• Mark Schorer, an American writer, critic gave the theory of “Technique as Discovery” published in 1947 and became a critical hallmark for its claim that fiction deserved the close scrutiny, attention, and consideration.
• Maud Bodkin was an English classical scholar, and literary critic. She is best known for her 1934 book Archetypal Patterns in Poetry.

• Northanger Abbey is the first novel of the woman novelist, Jane Austen. It is a parody of Gothic Romance which were very popular during the time, the novel has written. Austen has created the character of Catherine, the heroine of the novel to satirize the life depicted in the Gothic novel.
• She lives an illusionary life under the influence of the novels she read, especially famous gothic novel by Anne Radcliffe named The Mysteries of Udolpho. As soon she encountered with the truth of life her deception broke down and she developed to be an ordinary woman. Austen used the conventions of the Gothic novel in Northanger Abbey all through.
• Note: Northanger Abbey can be placed under the category of Bildungsroman, a novel of education or moral development as Catherine, the heroine developed into a smart and sensible woman from a girl, deficient in experience and perception.