UGC NET Paper 2 English Mock Test - 7 - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is "Samuel Johnson".

Key Points

• John Dryden (1631-1700) was an English poet and playwright.
• He became the first Poet Laureate of England in 1668.
• Sir Walter Scott called him “Glorious John”.
• Dryden is called the “father of English criticism"
• Important works by Dryden are Astraea Redux, Annus Mirabilis, An Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1680), Absalom and Achitophel (1681), Mac Flecknoe (1682).

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

• Samuel Johnson is best known for compiling A Dictionary of English Language (1755).
• T.S Eliot was a 20th century poet and critic famous for his poem "The Waste Land" (1922).
• P.B Shelly was a romantic poet who wrote The Revolt of Islam (1817).

The correct answer is Gay's Beggar's Opera 

Key Points

• The Beggar’s Opera, a ballad opera in three acts by John Gay, was performed at Lincoln’s Inn Fields Theatre, London, in 1728 and published in the same year.
• The work combines comedy and political satire in prose interspersed with songs set to contemporary and traditional English, Irish, Scottish, and French tunes.
• In it, Gay portrays the lives of a group of thieves and prostitutes in 18th-century London.
• The action centres on Peachum, a fence for stolen goods; Polly, his daughter; and Macheath, a highwayman.
• Gay caricatures the government, fashionable society, marriage, and Italian operatic style.
• Particularly evident are parallels made between the moral degeneracy of the opera’s protagonists and contemporary highborn society.

Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Hudibras, a satiric poem by Samuel Butler, was published in several parts beginning in 1663.
• The immediate success of the first part resulted in a spurious second part’s appearing within the year; the authentic second part was published in 1664.
• The two parts, plus “The Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to Sidrophel,” were reprinted together in 1674. 
• The Life and Death of the Late Jonathan Wild, the Great is a satiric novel by Henry Fielding. 
• Absalom and Achitophel, verse satire by English poet John Dryden published in 1681.
• The poem, which is written in heroic couplets, is about the Exclusion crisis, a contemporary episode in which anti-Catholics, notably the earl of Shaftesbury, sought to bar James, duke of York, a Roman Catholic convert and brother to King Charles II, from the line of succession in favour of the king’s illegitimate son, the duke of Monmouth.

The correct answer is ‘A, B, C, D, E.’

Key Points

• Sons and Lovers (A) was published in 1913.
• The Rainbow (B) was published in 1915.
• Women in Love (C) was published in 1920.
• Lady Chatterley's Lover (D) was published in 1928.
• The Plumed Serpent (E) was published in 1926.
• D.H. Lawrence is one of the most important and controversial English writers of the 20th century.
• His novels are known for their exploration of sexuality, class, and social issues.
• Lawrence's novels have been praised for their passion and their psychological depth.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 1.’

The correct answer is ‘C, D, B, A.’

Key Points

• The Book of the Duchess (C): This is Chaucer's first major work, believed to have been written in the latter part of the 1360s. It is an elegy for Blanche of Lancaster, John of Gaunt's first wife.
• The Parliament of Fowls (D): Thought to have been composed in the early 1380s, this poem delves into themes of love and is often read as a Valentine's Day poem, suggesting its placement after "The Book of the Duchess."
• Troilus and Criseyde (B): This work, crafted in the mid-1380s, is a long poem retelling the tragic love story of Troilus and Criseyde set against the backdrop of the Trojan War. It predates "The Canterbury Tales."
• The Canterbury Tales (A): Begun around 1387 but never completed, this collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury is Chaucer's most famous work and is considered a cornerstone of English literature.
• This chronological order reflects Chaucer's development as a writer, moving from courtly love poems to more complex narratives and finally to the rich tapestry of tales for which he is most celebrated.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• The chronological order reflects the evolution of Chaucer's style from elegiac and romantic works to his most ambitious project, "The Canterbury Tales," that showcases an array of characters and societal themes.
• This progression illustrates Chaucer's development as a writer and his experiment with various genres and storytelling techniques.

The correct answer is ‘B, A, D, C, E.’

Key Points

• Mrs. Dalloway (B): Published in 1925, this novel is a pioneering work using stream of consciousness as a narrative device. It explores the inner thoughts of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman preparing for a party in post-World War I England.
• To the Lighthouse (A): This was published in 1927, two years after Mrs. Dalloway. The narrative primarily concerns the Ramsay family and their visits to the Isle of Skye in Scotland between 1910 and 1920. It is known for its philosophical introspection and the exploration of complex human relationships through stream of consciousness.
• Orlando (D): Released in 1928, Orlando spans over three centuries, telling the story of a poet who changes sex from man to woman, living through various historical periods without aging much. It is considered a feminist classic and was ahead of its time in discussing gender fluidity.
• A Room of One's Own (C): This is an extended essay published in 1929, based on lectures Woolf delivered at Cambridge University. It argues for both a literal and figurative space for women writers within a literary tradition dominated by men.
• The Waves (E): Published in 1931, this novel is considered one of her most experimental works. It is composed of soliloquies spoken by the book's six characters. Woolf explores individual consciousness and the interconnectivity of human experiences.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 2.

The correct answer is "Boethius".

Key Points

• Boethius, also known as Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, was a Roman senator, consul, magister officiorum, historian, and philosopher of the Early Middle Ages.
• Geoffrey Chaucer was a poet, author, and government servant best remembered for his work The Canterbury Tales.
  • He has been referred to as the "Father of English Literature" or the "Father of English Poetry".
  • He was the first writer to be buried in what is now known as Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.
• Geoffrey Chaucer translated Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy into Middle English.
  • The original text, written in Latin, emphasizes the relevance of philosophy in everyday life and was a prominent work of philosophy during the Middle Ages.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.

Additional Information

• Homer was a Greek poet who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey, two epic poems that are considered foundational classics of ancient Greek literature. Homer is regarded as one of history's most respected and influential authors.
• Quintus Horatius Flaccus, better known as Horace in the English-speaking world, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the reign of Augustus.
• Publius Vergilius Maro, sometimes known as Virgil or Vergil in English, was an Augustan-era Roman poet. He wrote three of Latin literature's most famous poems: the Eclogues, the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid.

The correct answer is 'The family will die in exile.'

Key Points

• The speaker expresses concern that if sorrow weighs them down to the point of death, the family will suffer and potentially face death in exile. 
• This underscores the urgency and importance of fulfilling familial duties within the specified timeframe.

Therefore, the correct option is ‘Option 2.’

Additional Information 

• Option 1 is incorrect. The concern is about the family suffering, not becoming stronger.
• Option 3 is incorrect. Returning to the fatherland is the desired outcome, not a consequence of sorrow weighing the individual down.
• Option 4 is incorrect. The concern is about the potential suffering and death of the family, not personal happiness.

Irish was not a dialect of Old English. There are four dialects of old English: Mercian, Northumbrian, Kentish, and West Saxon. Thus, “Irish” is the odd one out. Irish (Gaeilge) is a Goidelic (Gaelic) language that originated in Ireland and has been historically spoken by the Irish people.

Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee was celebrated on 20th and 21st of June 1887. On 20th June the day began quietly with breakfast under the trees at Frogmore, the resting place of her beloved late husband, Prince Albert.

The History Man ( Malcolm Bradbury)

After Cohen's death, Cassirer developed a theory of symbolism and used it to expand phenomenology of knowledge into a more general philosophy of culture. Cassirer was one of the leading 20th-century advocates of philosophical idealism. His most famous work is the Philosophy of Symbolic Forms (1923–1929).

Volpone refers to his gold as "Thou" but that is not one of the options. Go back then to the opening when Volpone refers to his gold as "my saint" in the shrine.

Brick Lane (Bengali: ব্রিক লেন) is a street in the East End of London, in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. It runs from Swanfield Street in Bethnal Green, crosses Bethnal Green Road in Shoreditch, enters Whitechapel and is linked to Whitechapel High Street to the south by the short stretch of Osborn Street. Today, it is the heart of the city's Bangladeshi community and is known to some as Banglatown. It is famous for its many curry houses.

It refers to the famous Bee and Spider episode in "The Battle of Books"

The Essay was probably written during the plague year of 1666, and first published in 1668. In presenting his argument, Dryden takes up the subject that Philip Sidney had set forth in his Defence of Poesie in 1580. The treatise is a dialogue between four speakers: Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius, and Neander.

The correct answer is ‘Old English Period, Middle English Period, Renaissance, Victorian Era.’

Key Points

• The Old English Period or Anglo-Saxon Period refers to the earliest recorded phase of the English language, roughly from the 5th to the late 11th century. It features works like "Beowulf."
• Following the Old English Period, the Middle English Period spans from the late 11th century to the late 15th century, characterized by works such as Chaucer’s "The Canterbury Tales."
• The Renaissance in England, marking a period of rebirth in arts, culture, and literature influenced by the broader European Renaissance, occurred from the late 15th century to the early 17th century. This age includes the Elizabethan Era and the works of Shakespeare.
• The Victorian Era, named after Queen Victoria, lasted from 1837 to 1901, characterized by the industrial revolution's impact on society, massive changes, and advancements in literature and other artistic fields.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Option 2 and Option 3 incorrectly order the periods, suggesting a reversal of historical progression.
• Option 4 places the Renaissance and Victorian Era out of their historical sequence, ignoring the chronological progress of English literature.

The correct answer is 'The Grapes of Wrath'.

Key Points

• Historical Context: "The Grapes of Wrath" is set during the Great Depression, focusing on the Joad family who, driven by drought and economic hardship, travel from Oklahoma to California in search of work and a better life.
• Pulitzer Prize: Steinbeck's evocative portrayal of the struggles faced by migrant farm workers earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1940, solidifying the novel's status in American literature.
• Social and Political Themes: The novel delves into themes of injustice, survival, and the fight for dignity amidst exploitation, offering a scathing critique of the societal and economic conditions that led to the Dust Bowl migration.
• Literary Techniques: Steinbeck's use of intercalary chapters provides broader social commentary and context, enhancing the main narrative and giving voice to the collective experiences of the time.
• Legacy and Impact: "The Grapes of Wrath" remains a cornerstone of American literature, praised for its exploration of human resilience and criticized for its political sentiments, reflecting the divisiveness of its themes in public discourse.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: East of Eden is another seminal work by Steinbeck, exploring themes of good vs. evil across generations of two families.
• Option 2: Of Mice and Men is a novel about the friendship and dreams of two migrant workers during the Great Depression, but it did not win Steinbeck the Pulitzer Prize.
• Option 4: Cannery Row depicts life in Monterey, California, focusing on the camaraderie and adventures of its down-and-out characters rather than the Great Depression.

The correct answer is 'It enables a multi-perspective critique of societal norms, through varied letters capturing different characters' views'.

Key Points

• The epistolary form of "Evelina" allows Burney to present a range of voices and perspectives on the society and times, facilitating a nuanced exploration of eighteenth-century life, manners, and the stark gender expectations placed upon women.
• Through the letters of various characters, readers gain access to differing societal viewpoints, insights, and experiences, which collectively critique and satirize the norms and mores of the period.
• The personal nature of letters allows for an intimate glimpse into characters' thoughts and feelings, presenting a more complex and layered understanding of the challenges faced by women like Evelina in navigating public and private spheres.
• This form also reflects the significance of reputation, communication, and miscommunication in eighteenth-century society, engaging with themes of public vs. private identity, the role of women, and the complexities of social mobility.
• Evelina's growth and moral development throughout the novel, as depicted through her correspondence, confront and question the limitations imposed by society on women, offering readers a critical lens on gender roles and expectations.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information

• Limited to Evelina's point of view (Option 1) contradicts the varied perspectives offered by the epistolary format.
• Enhances the authenticity of historical events (Option 2) overlooks the novel’s primary function as social critique rather than historical documentation.
• Focuses solely on romantic developments (Option 4) understates the depth of societal and gender critique present in the novel.

The correct answer is 'The priest's struggle to reconcile his religious beliefs with the harsh realities of the world he lives in.'

Key Points

• The central conflict of the novel is the priest's struggle to reconcile his religious beliefs with the harsh realities of the world he lives in.
• The priest is torn between his commitment to his faith and the challenges he faces in a society that is hostile to religion.
• He grapples with doubts and temptations, questioning the existence of God and the efficacy of his own ministry.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: While the priest does struggle to maintain his faith, this is not the central conflict of the novel.
• Option 2: The priest's conflict with the authorities is a significant aspect of the novel, but it is not the central conflict.
• Option 3: The priest's inner turmoil is explored in the novel, but it is not the primary focus.

• Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of nearby words or syllables.
• In the phrase "Pretty purple pansies", the alliteration is created by the repetition of the "p" sound in "pretty", "purple", and "pansies".
• The repetition of the "p" sound creates a pleasing rhythmic effect and draws attention to the phrase.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2.'

• Option 1: "Sunset over the ocean" does not contain any alliteration.
• Option 3: "Running quickly through the forest" contains alliteration in the "r" sound in "running" and "quickly", but it is not as prominent as the alliteration in Option 2.
• Option 4: "Bright stars in the sky" does not contain any alliteration.

The correct answer is 'Elizabeth Bennet — Hester Prynne — Sherlock Holmes — Jay Gatsby'.

Key Points

• Elizabeth Bennet is a character from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, which was published in 1813. This novel is one of the earliest among the options listed, setting the foundation for later English literature.
• Hester Prynne is the protagonist of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850. This places her next chronologically, as this novel delves into themes of legality, sin, and societal norms in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first appeared in "A Study in Scarlet" in 1887. As a detective character, Holmes represents a significant aspect of Victorian literature and has become iconic in mystery and detective fiction.
• Jay Gatsby is from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925. This novel reflects the opulence and disillusionment of the American Jazz Age, making Gatsby the most modern character among these options.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Options 1, 3, and 4 misorder the characters, not aligning with the publication dates of their respective novels.

The correct answer is 'Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man" by Marshall McLuhan'.

Key Points

• "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man" by Marshall McLuhan, first published in 1964, is seminal in Cultural Studies for its exploration of the effects of media on individuals and society.
• McLuhan introduced the concept of the medium being the message, suggesting that the medium through which content is conveyed affects society more profoundly than the content itself.
• He famously classified media as either "hot" or "cool" based on the level of participation required from the audience, influencing how media studies approached audience engagement.
• McLuhan's work predicted the global village concept, foreseeing the world connected through an electronic nervous system, prefiguring the internet and its implications on global communication.
• McLuhan's ideas were ahead of their time, providing the foundational language and framework for discussing how media technology shapes perception, society, and culture.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• "Culture and Society" by Raymond Williams and "Mythologies" by Roland Barthes are also significant in Cultural Studies but focus more on cultural forms and semiotics, respectively, than on the media's societal impacts as McLuhan's work does.
• "The Society of the Spectacle" by Guy Debord deals with the concept of the spectacle in society but does not specifically address the media's role in shaping public consciousness as McLuhan's work does.

The correct answer is '(Smith & Jones, 2018).'

Key Points

• Use of Ampersand: APA format requires the use of an ampersand "&" between the two authors' last names within the parentheses for in-text citations.
• Year of Publication: The year of publication follows the authors’ names, separated by a comma.
• Parenthetical Format: The entire citation is placed within parentheses.
• Authors' Last Names Only: Only the last names of the authors are used; no initials unless there are multiple authors with the same last name.
• Simplification: This format provides a clear, concise way to reference multiple authors without cluttering the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Option 2: Listing the authors separately with different publication years is incorrect for a single work by two authors.
• Option 3: "And" is used in narrative citations, not within parentheses; for parenthetical citations, "&" is correct.
• Option 4: Initials are not required in parenthetical in-text citations in APA.

The correct answer is 'The Early Modern English period'.

Key Points

• The Early Modern English period, spanning from the late 15th century to the mid-to-late 17th century, is recognized as the dawn of the modern form of the English language.
• This period witnessed the standardization of English spelling and grammar, facilitated by the advent of the printing press, which played a crucial role in disseminating standardized language forms.
• The Great Vowel Shift, a major phonetic shift in the pronunciation of English vowels, occurred during this time and is a distinctive linguistic feature that helped to differentiate Early Modern English from Middle English.
• The works of William Shakespeare and the publication of the King James Bible are hallmark achievements of this era, both of which had a profound influence on English literature and language.
• The increase in overseas trade, exploration, and colonization led to the borrowing of words from numerous foreign languages, significantly enriching the English vocabulary.
• Early Modern English laid the groundwork for the grammatical and syntactical structure of contemporary English, making it a pivotal period in the language's evolution.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (The Late Middle English period) preceded the Early Modern English period and saw significant developments in the language but did not mark the beginning of its modern form.
• Option 3 (The Elizabethan Era) falls within the Early Modern English period and, while influential, is a subset rather than the broader period marking the transition to modern English.
• Option 4 (The Contemporary English period) represents the current form of the language, characterized by the influences of technology and globalization, following the development of earlier forms

The correct answer is 'Satan'.

Key Points

• "Paradise Lost" is an epic poem that explores the Christian story of the fall of man, with Satan cast as one of its central characters.
• Satan, after being cast out of heaven, gives a series of speeches to his followers, establishing his defiance against God's authority and justifying the rebellion.
• His famous assertion of preferring "to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven" encapsulates the character's pride, ambition, and refusal to submit.
• Satan's speeches are crucial for developing his complex character, illustrating his persuasive oratory skills and his capacity to motivate his followers.
• Through these speeches, Milton explores themes of freedom, obedience, ambition, and the nature of rebellion.

The correct answer is 'It increased the need for trade language.'

Key Points

• Expansion of Communication Needs: The shift from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural ones increased the need for communication beyond immediate social circles, as trade between different communities became more common.
• Specialization Vocabulary: Agriculture brought about specialized roles within societies that required specific terminology, thereby enriching the language.
• Trade Networks: The establishment of trade networks necessitated a common form of communication or lingua franca to facilitate exchanges between different language speakers.
• Settlements and Cultural Exchange: The formation of larger, more settled communities led to greater opportunities for cultural and linguistic exchange, influencing language evolution.
• Societal Complexity: As agricultural societies grew more complex, language evolved to express new concepts related to farming, governance, and social organization, leading to linguistic innovations.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Agriculture led to increased social complexity and interactions, not a decrease in language diversity.
• Option 3: While agriculture catalyzed societal developments, the direct formation of written languages was more complex and involved various factors.
• Option 4: Agriculture had a significant impact on societal development and, by extension, on language evolution.

The correct answer is 'E, B, A, D, C.'

Key Points

• "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley was published in 1818, introducing the genre of science fiction.
• "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky came out in 1866, delving into philosophical discussions of morality and redemption.
• "Ulysses" by James Joyce, released in 1922, is known for its stream-of-consciousness technique and deep exploration of the mundane.
• "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, published in 1922 as well, is considered one of the most important modernist texts.
• "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee was published in 1960, addressing issues of racial injustice and moral growth.

The Way of the World is a play written by the English playwright William Congreve. It premiered in early March 1700 in the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. It is widely regarded as one of the best Restoration comedies and is still occasionally performed.

Tradition and Individual Talent is a critical essay by T. S. Eliot, which focus on the relationship between the poet and the literary tradition. Eliot begins the essay by pointing out that the word ‘tradition’ is generally regarded as a derogatory word or word of censure in literary criticism. It is termed negatively, when a poet is praised.

The critics always focus on those-aspects of the work which are ‘individual’ and original rather than the relationship of a poem or a work to the works of dead poets and artists. In the words of Eliot: In English writing, we seldom speak of tradition, though we occasionally apply its name in deploring its absence…. . Certainly the word is not likely to appear in our appreciations of living or dead writers.

• Thomas Hardy was a Victorian novelist and poet as well. Jude the Obscure, the last completed novel by him and was first published in book form in 1895.
• The novel received a harsh reception from some scandalized critics and Hardy stopped writing novel after that.