APSET Paper 2 Mock Test - 9 (English) - AP TET MCQ

The correct answer is "Jonathan Dollimore and Alan Sinfield".

Key Points

• Shakespeare has always been politically charged.
• Political Shakespeare, first published in 1985, blends historical investigation, theoretical methodology, and textual analysis to provide not simply readings of the plays but distinctive kinds of knowledge about their meanings in specific social contexts.
• It emerged from the convergence of materialist criticism and ethics.
• Alan Sinfield revisits important themes in light of recent cultural and political shifts in the United States and Britain, while Jonathan Dollimore analyzes contemporary critical approaches to gender and sexuality-related issues.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

Additional Information

• Raymond Williams, a prominent member of the New Left and novelist, academic, cultural theorist, literary critic, and public intellectual, lived from 1921 until 1988.
  • From distinctive vantage points, he developed a new critical analysis method known as cultural materialism, which is based on a view of culture that recognizes cultural activity as a component of an ongoing, dynamic historical process.
  • The contingent and the subjunctive are two cultural form-related threads that he regularly highlights in his work.
• Marvin Harris was an anthropologist from the United States. He was a prolific writer who had a significant impact on the development of cultural materialism and environmental determinism. 

All of the above

The correct answer is 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D.

Important Points

• The Knight is the character in Palamon and Arcite.
  • Socially the most prominent person on the pilgrimage, epitomizing chivalry, truth, and honor. He stands apart from the other pilgrims because of his dignity and status.
• Griselda is a fictional character appearing in 'The Clerk's Tale,' a story he shares during his journey with several other travelers in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.
• Chanticleer is the protagonist of Nun's Priest's Tale. Chanticleer is a rooster with seven wives, foremost among them the hen Pertelote.
• Madame Eglantine, or The Prioress, is a central character in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.
  • "The Prioress's Tale" follows "The Shipman's Tale" in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.
  • The General Prologue names the prioress as Madame Eglantine and describes her impeccable table manners and soft-hearted ways.

Thus, it is clear that the correct match is 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D.

This line was written by Tennyson in his poem "Milton" composed in 1863.

Grismus is the debut novel of Sulman Rushdie, published in 1975. It can be categorized under the novel of fantasy or science fiction novel.

Hawksmoor is a novel by Peter Ackroyd, which tells the story of Nicholas Dyer and Nicholas Hawksmoor related to two different eras 18th century and 20th century respectively. The novel got published in 1985.

Darkness visible is a novel, published in 1979 and won the writer William Golding, James Tait Black Memorial Prize. The novel describes the conflict between good and evil.

Graham Swift wrote a novel in 1983, named Waterland which accolades him with Guardian Fiction Prize and shortlisted for Booker Prize.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Important Points

• Waiting for Godot, tragicomedy in two acts by Irish writer Samuel Beckett, published in 1952 in French as En attendant Godot and first produced in 1953.
• The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel by the English author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien. 
• Many authors have published 'Collected poems', like Kamala Das, Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath etc.

Thus, none of the above belongs to John Osborne.

Key Points

• John James Osborne was an English playwright, screenwriter and actor, known for his excoriating prose and intense critical stance towards established social and political norms.
• The success of his 1956 play 'Look Back in Anger' transformed English theatre. 

The correct answer is 'The inevitability of fate and the cyclical nature of history.'

Key Points

• "Leda and the Swan" is a sonnet by W.B. Yeats that employs the mythological tale of Leda’s encounter with Zeus, who has transformed into a swan.
• The poem intertwines themes of power, divinity, and predetermination, focusing on the moment of contact and its repercussions.
• It delves into the concept of the inevitability of fate, suggesting that the violent act leads to significant historical events, including the Trojan War.
• Yeats illustrates the cyclical nature of history and the impact of divine intervention on human life, questioning the interplay between destiny and free will.
• The use of vivid, often violent imagery serves to underscore the poem's exploration of conflict between the mortal and the divine, embodying broader themes of creation, destruction, and rebirth.
• "Leda and the Swan" reflects Yeats' fascination with mythology and its relevance to contemporary life, as well as his interest in the philosophical implications of history and fate.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Options 2, 3, and 4 do not accurately reflect the themes or content of "Leda and the Swan," which is more focused on mythological events and philosophical inquiries.

The correct answer is 'The fluidity and complexity of human identity'.

Key Points

• Metaphorical Representation: The Cobra in Nagamandala is not just an animal but a symbolic representation that explores the fluidity and complexity of human identity. It transforms into a human form to express love, showcasing the non-static nature of identity.
• Expression of Desire and Love: Through its ability to take on a human form to be with Rani, the Cobra embodies the themes of desire, love, and the complexities associated with them, going beyond its physical identity.
• Challenge to Societal Norms: The Cobra's actions and its relationship with Rani challenge rigid societal norms and expectations about marriage and fidelity, illustrating how identity can transcend societal constraints.
• Symbolism of Dreams and Reality: The play blurs the lines between dreams and reality, and the Cobra, crossing these lines, symbolizes the interconnectedness of both realms and their impact on one’s identity.
• Reflection on Freedom and Constraint: Through the Cobra’s character, the play comments on the notions of freedom and constraint within relationships, suggesting that identity is a fluid concept that can both liberate and confine.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 ('The constraints of traditional marriage'): While the play does explore this theme, it's more of a setting/context rather than what the Cobra symbolizes directly.
• Option 3 ('The authority of the village elders'): This is represented through other elements and characters in the play, not directly by the Cobra.
• Option 4 ('Economic disparities in rural India'): This theme is not a primary focus of the Cobra's symbolic representation in the play.

The Magic Mountain originally in German, is a novel written by Thomas Mann, first published in November 1924. It is widely considered to be one of the most influential works of 20th century Literature. The present quote is from chapter 1 of the novel. Mann mused over the interrelationship between the experience of time and space in the novel.

Doctor Faustus is a German novel written by Thomas Mann, begun in 1943 and published in 1947 as Doktor Faustus. Mann re-cast the Faust legend in the context of the first half of the 20th century and the turmoil of Germany in that period.

Confessions of Felix Krull is an unfinished 1954 novel by Thomas Mann It is a parody of the autobiography of Goethe.

Death in Venice is a novella written by Thomas Mann, first published in 1912. The work presents a great writer suffering from Writer’s Block, visits Venice and obsessed, by the sight of a stunningly beautiful youth.

Note: Thomas Mann originally wrote in German Language and almost all his works translated by Helen lowe Porter, an American translator, best recognized for her translations of Mann’s works into English.

The correct answer is " The Second Coming".

Key Points

• "The Second Coming" is a poem by the modernist poet William Butler Yeats.
• The lines "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" appear in the first stanza of the poem.
• Yeats wrote the poem in the year 1919 when the First World War had just ended. It talks about a world of chaos and anarchy.

Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer. 
Additional Information

• "The Hound of Heaven" is an 1890 poem written by the English poet Francis Thompson. It opens with the line, "I FLED Him, down the nights and down the days".
• "Vacillation" is a poem by W.B. Yeats from his 1933 Collection, "The Winding Stair and Other Poems". Divided into eight parts, the poem opens with the line, "Between extremities/ Man runs his course".
  

William Pearson (born July 27, 1938), known professionally as Bill Pearson, is an American novelist, publisher, editor, artist, comic book scripter and letterer, notable as the editor-publisher of his own graphic story publication, witzend.

Shakespeare acted in Every Man in his humour though he was not part of the production.

The correct answer is 'An elegy mourning the death of the poet John Keats.'

Key Points

• "Adonais" is an elegy written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, mourning the death of fellow poet John Keats.
• This work is considered one of the finest elegies in English literature, highlighting Shelley’s mastery of language and profound emotional expression.
• The poem employs pastoral elegy conventions, idealizing Keats' life and work while lamenting his early death.
• Shelley uses the figure of Adonais to symbolize Keats, drawing upon mythological allusions and imagery to enrich the narrative.
• Through "Adonais," Shelley not only grieves Keats but also contemplates themes of immortality, the nature of the soul, and the poet's place in society.
• The poem serves as a poignant reflection on loss, artistic legacy, and the transcendent power of poetry.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Options 1, 2, and 4, while reflective of Shelley’s broader concerns in his body of work, do not capture the primary theme of "Adonais".

The correct answer is 'To teach and to delight.'

Key Points

• In "An Essay of Dramatic Poesie", Dryden presents poetry, especially dramatic poetry, as having a dual purpose: to teach and to delight.
• This aligns with the Horatian idea of "dulce et utile", meaning poetry should be both sweet (entertaining) and useful (educational).
• Dryden believed that poetry, through engaging narratives and characters, could morally instruct while also providing enjoyment and entertainment.
• By blending these two objectives, poetry can have a meaningful impact on its audience, encouraging them to reflect on themes and moral questions while being engaged.
• The concept of blending entertainment with instruction allows poetry to appeal to a broader audience, making complex ideas and moral lessons more approachable.

Orlando: A Biography is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928. The book describes the adventures of a poet who changes sex from man to woman and lives for centuries, meeting the key figures of English literary history

The correct answer is Dr Samuel Johnson.

Key Points

• Dr Samuel Johnson was an eighteenth-century essayist, critic, lexicographer, poet and writer.
• When he was not able to find much literary success he took up the task of dictionary writing.
• The dictionary took nine years to complete and it was finally published on 15 April 1755.
• It was not a regular dictionary we see today but it contains witty definitions.
• More than 40,000 words were defined with multiple meanings and literary quotations were also given.
• For example, he defined oats as
  • "A grain which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people."

Therefore, from all the points given above, we can conclude that the publication of the English Dictionary is credited to Dr Samuel Johnson.

Additional Information Let's look at other options:

• Ben Jonson:
  • He was a Jacobean playwright known for his comedy of humour. Some of his famous works are Everyman in His Humour, Volpone, Alchemist, Isles of Dogs etc.
• Thomas More:
  • He is well-known for his work Utopia where he suggested a model for a new society. He first published it in Latin in 1516 and translated it into English in 1551.
• Caxton:
  • William Caxton was an English merchant and diplomat. He brought the printing press to England in 1476.

The correct answer is 'A sonnet sequence that delves into the unrequited love between Astrophel and Stella.'

Key Points

• "Astrophel and Stella" is a sonnet sequence written by Sir Philip Sidney, a prominent figure of the Elizabethan era.
• The sequence is composed of 108 sonnets and 11 songs, exploring the deep and often unrequited love that Astrophel holds for Stella.
• It is widely considered one of the finest Elizabethan sonnet sequences and marks a significant contribution to English literature.
• The sonnets detail Astrophel's admiration, love, and passion for Stella, touching upon themes of desire, beauty, and the struggles of unrequited love.
• Sidney uses the Petrarchan sonnet form but innovates within the structure, making his work stand out for its emotional depth and literary craftsmanship.
• "Astrophel and Stella" reflects Sidney's mastery in poetry and has influenced countless poets since its publication in the late 16th century.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 inaccurately describes it as a pastoral comedy, which is not aligned with its form or themes.
• Option 3 and 4 misrepresent the content, suggesting it to be either a narrative or epic poem with focuses not present in Sidney's work.

The correct answer is "The Child in Time."

Key Points

• Exploration of Childhood and Time: "The Child in Time" delves into the nature of childhood, loss, and the fluidity of time, all centered around a protagonist dealing with the loss of his child.
• Psychological Depth: The novel is notable for its psychological depth, exploring the impact of grief and the potential for regeneration and healing.
• Themes of Parenthood: It scrutinizes the roles and experiences of being a parent, alongside societal and personal expectations of this role.
• Innovative Narrative Techniques: McEwan employs innovative narrative techniques to explore the protagonist's psyche and the non-linear progression of time.
• Critical Acclaim: The novel received critical acclaim for its insightful portrayal of its themes and is considered one of McEwan's major works.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• "Atonement" is better known for its exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the complexities of truth.
• "Amsterdam," a sharp, compact narrative, focuses on morality and the complexities of modern life.
• "Saturday" centers around a day in the life of a neurosurgeon, exploring post-9/11 London.
• Works of Nissim Ezekiel

The correct answer is John Bergers' "Ways of Seeing".

Key Points 

• John Berger was a novelist, painter and critic. 
• His 1972 book " Ways of Seeing" is an adaptation of a TV show by the same name.
• The book introduced his concept of the "male gaze" which was later popularized by Laura Mulvey.

Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer. ​Additional Information

• "Surfacing" is a 1972 novel by the Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood.
• "Middlemarch" is an 1871 novel by the Victorian novelist George Eliot.​

The correct answer is 'To directly intervene in human affairs, influencing events and outcomes.'

Key Points

• In Homer's epics, gods play an integral role in the plot by actively intervening in the lives of mortals.
• These interventions can either aid or hamper the characters, depending on the gods' desires or rivalries.
• The gods' actions in Homer's works often reflect their human-like emotions and biases, making the divine influence complex and sometimes unpredictable.
• Through their interventions, the gods serve to advance the narrative and highlight key themes such as fate, honor, and the struggle between human free will and divine will.
• This dynamic interaction between gods and mortals underscores the unpredictability of life and the influence of higher powers in the ancient Greek worldview.

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 'It is a list of knights who fought in the Battle of Hastings.'

 Key Points

• The Battle Abbey Roll is mentioned as the source of information about Sir Pagan d'Urberville's participation in the Battle of Hastings.
• This suggests that the Battle Abbey Roll is a list of knights who fought in the Battle of Hastings.

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 'The ongoing struggle with racism and identity'.

Key Points

• "American Hunger" is the continuation of Richard Wright's autobiographical work that began with "Black Boy." This narrative extends into his early adulthood, focusing on his life in the North, specifically Chicago.
• The book predominantly explores Wright's ongoing struggle with racism and his quest for identity in an urban environment that, while different from the South, still presented significant racial challenges and prejudices.
• Wright delves into the complexities of navigating the cultural and socio-political landscape of the North, where he faces discrimination in employment, social interactions, and within the Communist Party, which he joins hoping to find racial and economic justice.
• The theme of identity is critically examined as Wright struggles to reconcile his personal beliefs with the realities of racial prejudice in the North, leading him to confront questions about his role and place in American society.
• Through his experiences, Wright critiques the illusion of the North as a racial utopia, highlighting the pervasive nature of racism across the United States and its impact on the African American search for identity and belonging.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• The excitement of new opportunities, discovering financial wealth, and adventure and exploration, while potentially part of Wright's experiences, are not the central themes explored in "American Hunger." These aspects may touch upon his journey, but the core exploration revolves around racism and personal identity.

The correct answer is 'The proliferation of digital and internet-based communication'.

Key Points

• A.C. Baugh identifies the proliferation of digital and internet-based communication as a significant contemporary trend impacting the English language.
• This trend includes the rapid spread of information and the creation of new forms of communication, such as social media, texting, and email, which have introduced new vocabulary, acronyms, and abbreviations to the language.
• The digital age has also influenced the speed at which language evolves, allowing new words and phrases to gain popularity and become widely adopted in a shorter period.
• Furthermore, online platforms have facilitated the blending of languages and dialects, encouraging linguistic creativity and the democratization of language use.
• Digital communication has impacted not only vocabulary but also writing styles, making informal, concise, and direct communication more prevalent.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• The rise of regional dialects (Option 1) is ongoing but not as distinctly impactful as digital communication on contemporary language evolution.
• The resurgence of ancient languages (Option 3) interests scholars but does not significantly impact the evolution of modern English.
• The decline of bilingualism (Option 4) contradicts global trends towards increased multilingualism, particularly in contexts of globalization and international communication.

The correct answer is 'Dorian’s soul and the consequences of his actions'.

Key Points

• The portrait of Dorian Gray symbolizes the physical manifestation of Dorian’s inner moral decay and the consequences of his hedonistic and selfish pursuits.
• As Dorian engages in a life of excess and moral abandon, the portrait, rather than his own body, ages and becomes increasingly grotesque, reflecting the corruption of his soul.
• The contrast between Dorian's unchanging, youthful exterior and the portrait's degeneration emphasizes the disconnection between appearance and reality, a central theme of the novel.
• The portrait can be seen as a conscience that Dorian tries to hide and ignore, highlighting the consequences of living a life devoid of moral reflection.
• This symbol serves as a critique of the aesthetic movement's emphasis on beauty and sensual pleasure, exploring the potential dangers and moral costs of such a philosophy.

King Lear is one of the four greatest tragedies of Shakespeare and perhaps of the English Literature. Disguise is an old tradition, employed by Shakespeare in almost all his plays, whether it is comedy or tragedy. In King Lear, there are two disguises first one is Edgar and the other is Kent and both are misfortune and exiled.

Kent is a loyal, selfless and devoted nobleman of the King Lear. He is exiled by the king for his exceptionally blunt and outspoken nature. He assumes the disguise of a peasant named Caius, to stay close to the king and serve him even after get banished.

The correct answer is "Tzvetan Todorov".

Key Points

• Tzvetan Todorov coined the term "Narratology" which is the anglicisation of the French "narratologie".
• Its theoretical ancestors can be traced back to Aristotle (Poetics), but modern narratology is widely acknowledged to have begun with the Russian formalists, particularly Vladimir Propp (Morphology of the Folktale, 1928) and Mikhail Bakhtin's theories of heteroglossia, dialogism, and the chronotope, which were first presented in The Dialogic Imagination (1975).
• Narratology investigates the similarities and differences between narratives.
• Narratology, like structuralism and semiotics from which it sprang, is founded on the concept of a common literary language, or a universal pattern of codes that functions within the text of a work.
• Narratology is the study of narrative and narrative structure, as well as the effects they have on human perception.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• Ferdinand de Saussure was a linguist, semiotician, and philosopher from Switzerland. His insights established the groundwork for several important advancements in linguistics and semiotics in the twentieth century.
• Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009) was a French social anthropologist who pioneered the structural approach to social anthropology. A World on the Verge, Structural Anthropology, The Savage Mind, Anthropologu and Myth, and Look, Listen, Read were among his books.
• Louis Pierre Althusser was a Marxist philosopher who was born in Algeria. Althusser was a long-time member of the French Communist Party, and at times a harsh critic of it.

The correct answer is 'The inefficacy and cruelty of the workhouse system.'

Key Points

• Symbol of Institutional Failure: Mr. Bumble, as the workhouse beadle, represents the institutional failure of the workhouse system to provide for and protect the poor and vulnerable.
• Personal Gain over Duty: His character often prioritizes personal gain and authority over the needs and well-being of the workhouse inhabitants, illustrating the selfishness and corruption within the system.
• Cruelty and Indifference: Mr. Bumble’s actions and attitudes towards the workhouse children, including Oliver, highlight the cruelty and indifference that were prevalent in such institutions.
• Lack of Compassion: His lack of compassion and empathy for the poor reflects the broader societal attitudes of the time, which Dickens criticizes through his portrayal.
• Social Commentary: Through Mr. Bumble, Dickens provides sharp social commentary on the inadequacies of the Poor Law and the harsh realities faced by those in workhouses.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Mr. Bumble's depiction is far from one that showcases dedication and compassion.
• Option 3: While the legal system is critiqued in "Oliver Twist," Mr. Bumble’s character specifically targets the workhouse system's failures.
• Option 4: The aspirations of the lower class are explored in the novel, but Mr. Bumble primarily criticizes the workhouse system rather than this theme.

The correct answer is 'Disillusionment with war and questioning of societal norms'.

Key Points

• The Lost Generation refers to the generation that came of age during World War I, and its literature is marked by a profound sense of disillusionment resulting from the horrors and disillusionment of the war.
• Writers associated with the Lost Generation, such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, often explored themes of aimlessness, moral loss, and the breakdown of traditional values in the aftermath of the war.
• The questioning of societal norms, including the critique of the concept of heroism, the exploration of existential despair, and the rejection of the pre-war optimism, are central to much of the literature of this period.
• The impact of the war led many of these writers to challenge previously held beliefs about progress, leading to a skepticism of the modern world and a sense of alienation.
• The term "Lost Generation" itself was popularized by Gertrude Stein and epitomizes the sense of being lost in a shifting world without clear moral or social anchors.

Tamburlaine the Great is a play in two parts by Christopher Marlowe. It is loosely based on the life of the Central Asian emperor, Timur. Written in 1587 or 1588, the play is a milestone in Elizabethan public drama; it marks a turning away from the clumsy language and loose plotting of the earlier Tudor dramatists, and a new interest in fresh and vivid language, memorable action, and intellectual complexity. Along with Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy, it may be considered the first popular success of London's public stage.