APSET Paper 2 Mock Test - 7 (English) - AP TET MCQ

The correct answer is ‘Graham Greene’.

Key Points 

• R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends is the first novel of his literary career, published in 1935.
• The story is set in a fictional town named Malgudi, which served as the setting for his later works as well.
• The novel narrates a ten-year old boy named Swami’s adventures in the fictional town of Malgudi.
• Graham Greene came across the manuscript of the novel through a common friend, arranging for a publisher for the book and suggesting its present title.
• According to Greene, the novel bore a resemblance to Rudyard Kipling’s Stalky and Co.
• Graham Greene and R.K. Narayan had an enduring friendship which lasted for many years.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.

Additional Information 

• Raja Rao was an Indian-American novelist and short-story writer, best known for his novel Kanthapura (1938).
• William Walsh was a poet, critic and politician from England, during the late 17th century. He is mainly remembered for being a friend and correspondent to the poet Alexander Pope.
• Mulk Raj Anand was an Indian writer in English, best known for his novels on the downtrodden castes in Indian society, like Untouchable (1935), Coolie (1936), and Two Leaves and a Bud (1937).

The correct answer is Matthew Arnold.

Key Points

• Matthew Arnold was a prominent Victorian critic and poet known for his work on cultural and literary criticism.
• In his book "Culture and Anarchy," Arnold explores the role of culture in society and advocates for the pursuit of intellectual and moral excellence.
• He criticizes the prevailing materialistic and utilitarian values of Victorian society and emphasizes the importance of cultivating the "best self" through exposure to great works of literature and art.
• Arnold believed that culture could serve as a unifying force and help resolve the social and political conflicts of the time.
• His ideas had a significant influence on Victorian intellectual thought and continue to be studied and debated in literary and cultural studies.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2. 

In the three decades that Nobel prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk has devoted himself to writing fiction, he has also produced scores of witty, moving, and provocative essays and articles. He engages the work of Nabokov, Kundera, Rushdie, and Vargas Llosa, among others, and he discusses his own books and writing process. We also learn how he lives, as he recounts his successful struggle to quit smoking, describes his relationship with his daughter, and reflects on the controversy he has attracted in recent years. Here is a thoughtful compilation of a brilliant novelist's best nonfiction, offering different perspectives on his lifelong obsessions with loneliness, contentment, and the books and cities that have shaped his experience.

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

Key Points

• The Mirror Stage is associated with Jacques Lacan and describes a stage where the infant recognizes their reflection as themselves, which is crucial for the development of the ego.
• Object Relations Theory, developed by Melanie Klein, focuses on the relationships between individuals, especially between children and their primary caregivers, and how these relationships impact psychological development.
• The Oedipus Complex, a concept introduced by Sigmund Freud, involves a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent.
• The Death Drive, another of Freud's contributions, refers to the hypothesized drive towards death, destruction, or a return to the inorganic state.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

The correct answer is "Through humor and detachment".

Key Points

• Agastya Sen, the protagonist of "English, August: An Indian Story" by Upamanyu Chatterjee, deals with his disillusionment with the tediousness and absurdity of the Indian bureaucracy through humor and detachment.
• Agastya's response to his environment and the bureaucracy is characterized by his wit and his ability to distance himself from the situations he finds perplexing or frustrating, using humor as a coping mechanism.
• These traits help Agastya navigate the monotonies and ridiculous aspects of bureaucratic life, preventing him from being completely overwhelmed by disillusionment or cynicism.
• His use of humor and philosophical detachment allows for a nuanced critique of the system, reflecting the absurdities of his situation without falling into despair or complete aloofness.
• Agastya's mental escapades, including his daydreams and his irreverent attitude towards the traditions and expectations of the bureaucratic system, highlight his attempts to maintain a sense of identity and sanity amidst the stultifying routine.

A Modest Proposal, is a Juvenalian satirical essay written and published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729.

Learners acquire language by trying to use it in real situations such as going shopping, introducing yourself, making calls, expressing your opinion and many more. Learner practice in particular communicative situations, illustrated with exemplary dialogues, vocabulary and important idioms. Learner’s first language or mother tongue also plays an important role in learning any other languages, specifically in translation method of language learning. Through communicative activities, students can learn to use language in real communication.

It is important that activities in Communicative Language Teaching focus on students to practice using the target language in the classroom. As all four parts of language learning are important, equally in themselves so language cannot be acquired if more stress given on writing rather than speech in the target language.

The correct answer is  Black Mountain Review.

Key Points

• Black Mountain Review was a significant literary journal associated with the Black Mountain poets and the Beat Generation writers.
• The journal was published by Black Mountain College, an experimental arts college in North Carolina during the 1950s and 1960s.
• It showcased the works of influential writers like Allen Ginsberg, Robert Creeley, and Denise Levertov, among others.
• Black Mountain Review played a crucial role in promoting the avant-garde and experimental literature of the time, reflecting the countercultural spirit and unconventional aesthetics of the Beat Generation.
• The journal's contributions to the literary landscape of the era make it a notable publication in the history of American literature.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

The correct answer is 'The conflict between faith and doubt'.

Key Points

• "The Brothers Karamazov" delves deeply into the theme of the conflict between faith and doubt, with characters embodying various positions on the theological and existential spectrum, thus representing Dostoevsky's own exploration of these issues.
• This central theme is most vividly portrayed in the conversations between Ivan and Alyosha Karamazov, where Ivan expresses his intellectual doubts about God and morality, while Alyosha represents a more embodied, steadfast faith.
• The novel examines how characters struggle with the existence of evil and suffering in a world supposedly created by a just and loving God, challenging readers to consider the implications of faith in the face of seemingly unjust realities.
• Dostoevsky’s exploration of this theme questions the possibility of moral absolutes and the nature of ethical behavior without the grounding of religious belief, inviting a nuanced consideration of how faith and doubt coexist within the human experience.
• Through its characters and plot, "The Brothers Karamazov" invites reflection on the importance of spiritual inquiry and the search for meaning amidst the trials of life, making the conflict between faith and doubt central to its moral and philosophical discourse.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 1’

Additional Information

• Redemption through suffering (Option 2) is a significant theme in Dostoevsky's work but is more of a narrative mechanism than the central philosophical dilemma.
• The nature of free will (Option 3) is explored but serves more as a subset of the broader conflict between faith and doubt.
• The impact of industrialization (Option 4) is not a prominent theme within "The Brothers Karamazov," which is more focused on deeply personal and existential questions.

Nissim Ezekiel

He is one of the most notable Indian poets in English.

Hymns in Darkness is a paoetry collectin by him published in 1976 and traces social and cultural picture of India.

Kamala Das

She is the best Indian poetess of India in Modern time writing in English.

Her first collection of poems, entitled The Sirens, appeared in 1964 and won her won her the Asian Poetry Prize.

R. Parthasarthy

He is an Indian poet and editor as well.

Rough Passage is his first poetry book comprised of three parts namely Exile, Tamil and Home Coming.

A. K. Ramanujan

Ramanujan was abrilliant writer of both English and Kannada.

The Striders was his most famous poetry collection published in 1966.

The correct answer is option 3.

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 3.

Darwin's theory. In 1859, Charles Darwin set out his theory of evolution by natural selection as an explanation for adaptation and speciation. He defined natural selection as the "principle by which each slight variation [of a trait], if useful, is preserved".

Evelina also known as the History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World is the first novel written by English author Fanny Burney and first published in 1778. It is an epistolary novel and often considered her best work, and it is certainly her most popular and widely-read.

It is a three volume novel which revolves around the life of Protagonist Evelina. It is a significant precursor to the work of Jane Austen and Maria Edgeworth, whose novels explore many of the same issues.

The correct answer is Jean-François Lyotard.

Key Points

• Jean-François Lyotard, a prominent postmodernist philosopher and critic, is associated with the quote mentioned. 
• Lyotard's work, particularly his book "The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge," explores the shift from modernity to postmodernity and the impact of this transition on various aspects of society.
• According to Lyotard, postmodernism arises when the modernist project of progress and rationality reaches its limits and becomes self-aware of its inherent constraints and limitations.
• Postmodernism questions grand narratives, challenges notions of truth and objective knowledge, and emphasizes the fragmentation and plurality of perspectives in a diverse and interconnected world.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1) Jean-François Lyotard.

• The boa-constrictor’s coil/Is a fossil line is taken from the poem” The Jaguar” This poem was included in the Ted Hughes’ prize winning, first collection The Hawk in the Rain, published in 1957.

• My manners are tearing off heads The allotment of death” these lines are from the poem The Hawk-Roosting. Ted Hughes’ poem ‘Hawk Roosting’ represents hawk, a bird of prey, sitting on a tree and musing about its power of destruction, its arrogance and superiority.

• More coiled steel than living” the line from the Thrushes, an irregular poem by Hughes. The poem is about Thush, a familiar garden bird, that prompts the writer to reflect human nature and creativity.

• Time in the sea eats its tail, line is taken from “Relic”, a poem of Ted Hughes. In Relic, Hughes shows how creatures in the sea use each other as a means of their end. The sea is portrayed as a continuous cycle where life is halted by death.

The correct answer is ‘Mahasweta Devi’.

Key Points

• Mahasweta Devi, an Indian writer in English, is renowned for her powerful portrayal of the marginalized and oppressed communities in India.
• Her works, such as "Hajar Churashir Maa" (Mother of 1084) and "Aranyer Adhikar" (Right to the Forest), shed light on the struggles and exploitation faced by tribal communities and other marginalized groups.
• Devi's writing reflects her commitment to social activism and her desire to give voice to the voiceless.
• She addresses issues of land rights, social justice, and gender inequality, showcasing the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities in India.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

The correct answer is "Another Country".

Key Points

• "Another Country", published in 1962, is one of James Baldwin’s most influential novels, delving deep into issues of race, sexuality, and identity amidst the cultural milieu of early 20th-century Harlem.
• The novel’s narrative intertwines the lives of its characters, who come from diverse racial and sexual backgrounds, portraying their complex relationships against the backdrop of a society fraught with bigotry and intolerance.
• Baldwin insightfully explores the intersections of personal identity and societal expectations, spotlighting the emotional and psychological turmoil faced by individuals forced to navigate the oppressive norms of race and sexuality.
• "Another Country" is celebrated for its raw and candid portrayal of interracial relationships and homosexual relationships, subjects that were particularly contentious and taboo during the time of its publication.
• The novel not only critiques the social constructs of race and sexuality but also offers a profound examination of the human condition, emphasizing the universal themes of love, pain, and the struggle for self-acceptance.
• Through its vivid depiction of Harlem as a vibrant yet conflicted space, "Another Country" captures the pulsating energy and the underlying tensions of the neighborhood, making it a seminal work in the portrayal of African American life and culture.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores Baldwin’s complex relationship with his father and religion.
• "Giovanni’s Room" addresses themes of sexuality and identity but is set in Paris, not Harlem.
• "The Fire Next Time" is a non-fiction work that discusses the central role of race in American history.

The next two novels, The Return of the Native (1878) and The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), established Hardy as a formidable writer. Hardy published two more novels, Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1895), which were his last long fiction works.

The correct answer is Option 1: Recommending the establishment of universities in Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.

Key Points

• The Woods Dispatch made a significant recommendation regarding the establishment of universities in the three Presidencies of India - Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.
• The dispatch believed that higher education was essential for the creation of a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals, and in intellect.
• As a result of these recommendations, the Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras were set up in 1857, providing the foundation for modern higher education in India.
• The Dispatch did not advocate for the removal of vernacular languages from the education system. In fact, it suggested that English and vernacular languages should be used as mediums of instruction.
• The Dispatch did not propose to eliminate all private educational institutions. Instead, it proposed a system of "grant-in-aid" to support private schools.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

The correct answer is 'To fulfill the duty of comforting family and returning to the fatherland .'

Key Points

• The advice emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's duty to family by providing comfort and taking them back to the fatherland after seven years. 
• It discourages allowing sorrow to weigh one down to the point of death, as it could lead to the suffering and death of family members in exile.
• Therefore, the correct option is ‘Option 4.’

Additional Information 

• Option 1 is incorrect. The advice is not primarily about avoiding displeasing the living but fulfilling familial duties.
• Option 2 is incorrect. The advice doesn't prioritize personal happiness over duty but emphasizes fulfilling responsibilities.
• Option 3 is incorrect. The advice discourages enduring sorrow and emphasizes the potential negative consequences for the family

• Nancy Chodorow is a feminist sociologist and psychoanalyst best known for her influential book “The Reproduction of Mothering: Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Gender” which was published in 1978.

• She dealt with the mother-daughter relationship, reproduction of motherhood and female psychology in the book.

• Carol Gilligan was an American feminist and psychoanalyst put a landmark in Feminist theories with her book, A Different Voice and Difference feminists.

• She argued that Psychology had been unknowingly ignoring the voices and experiences of half the human race.

“Buchi” Emecheta was a Nigerian born British novelist also wrote plays and autobiography, as well as works for children. Her first two books, In the Ditch (1972) and Second-Class Citizen (1974), later included in the single volume named Adah’s Story (1983) provide a fictionalized portrait of poor, young Nigerian women named Adah, who struggles to bring up her children in London.

In the Ditch Emecheta chronicled the struggles of the main character Adah, who is forced to live in a housing estate while working as a librarian to support her five children. Her second novel published two years later, Second-Class Citizen in which Adah struggles with motherhood and with being a wife and supporting her entire family along with being her own independent person, moreover deals with the issues of race and being black in the face of English racism

The Slave Girl depicts the story of Agbanje Ojebeta, who is sold by her brother, Okolie to a wealthy woman called Ma Palagada because he badly needs money.

The Joys of Motherhood is a novel which portrays a tragic character, Nnu-Ego as the protagonist, a woman who struggles first for a bad fate with childbearing. When she have children through them, she gains the respect of her community.

• Chartism was a well -known movement for political reform in Britain that existed from 1838 to 1857. It took its name from the People’s Charter of 1838 and was a national protest movement.
• The People’s Charter called for six reforms to make the political system more democratic:

1. A vote for every man twenty-one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for a crime.
2. Vote by secret ballot to protect the elector in the exercise of his vote.
3. No property qualification for Members of Parliament.
4. Payment of Members, enabling tradesmen, working men, or other persons of modest means to leave or interrupt their livelihood to attend to the interests of the nation.
5. Equal constituencies, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors.
6. Annual Parliamentary elections.

The correct answer is 'New Historicism views literature as a product of history and culture'.

Key Points

• New Historicism is a form of literary theory that emphasizes the role of historical context in shaping and understanding literature.
• Unlike traditional historical criticism, which treats the literary text as a unique work separate from its historical context, New Historicism views the text and its context as intertwined.
• New Historicists argue that literature both influences and is influenced by the cultural and social conditions of its time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

John Wycliffe (about 1320 – 31 December 1384) was an English theologian and an early dissident against the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. He founded the Lollard movement, which opposed a number of practices of the Church. He was also against papal encroachments on secular power.

The correct answer is 'It suffers from materialism and social injustice due to industrialization'.

 Key Points

• In "Past and Present," Carlyle contrasts the spiritual values and strong leadership of the medieval period with what he perceives as the ills of Victorian society, particularly the social injustices and materialism fostered by industrialization.
• Carlyle suggests that the Industrial Revolution has resulted in a society that values wealth and material possessions over human well-being, leading to widespread social inequalities and disregard for the conditions of the working class.
• While Carlyle does critique the lack of strong leadership (Option 1) and perceived decline in religious values (Option 2), the primary critique in "Past and Present" is aimed at the consequences of industrialization. Carlyle, contrary to Option 3, does not suggest that too much power has been given to the working class.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is "He began a journal titled, 'Politics and Letters'". 

Key Points

• Herbert Richard Hoggart was an English academic.

• Cultural studies and contemporary British culture had a major influence on his works. 

• During World War II, he served with the Royal Artillery.

• From 1971 to 1975, Hoggart served as UNESCO's Assistant Director.

• Before officially retiring from his academic career, he served as Warden of Goldsmiths, University of London, from 1976 to 1984.

​Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

Important Points

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 'Resignation.'

Key Points

• The predominant mood in "An Old Woman" is one of resignation.
• The poem depicts the old woman's acceptance of her marginalized and neglected existence.
• Through vivid imagery, Kolatkar captures the resigned attitude of the old woman towards her surroundings.
• The repetition of the phrase "washes her hands" reinforces a sense of routine and acceptance of her fate.
• The poem conveys a sense of quiet acceptance rather than active resistance.
• The overall tone reflects the resigned acknowledgment of the harsh realities faced by the old woman.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.'

Additional Information

• Hope: The poem doesn't convey a hopeful tone; instead, it emphasizes resignation.
• Despair: While there is a sense of hardship, the dominant mood is resignation rather than despair.
• Apathy: The old woman's attitude is more characterized by resignation than apathy.

It is a play that deals with the theme of boredom, nothingness and inertia in life.