TS SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 1 (English) - TS TET MCQ

The correct answer is ‘Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.’

 Key Points

• Second language learning is a complex process that involves a number of different factors.
• It requires the learner to acquire new linguistic knowledge, as well as new cognitive and social skills.
• Linguistic knowledge includes knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• Cognitive skills include the ability to understand and produce speech, as well as the ability to read and write.
• Social skills include the ability to interact with native speakers in a culturally appropriate manner.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 1.’

 Additional Information

• b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A: This option is incorrect because R is the correct explanation of A.
• c) A is true but R is false: This option is incorrect because both A and R are true.
• d) A is false but R is true: This option is incorrect because both A and R are true.

The correct answer is ‘A - III, B - II, C - I, D - IV'.

 Key Points

• William Wordsworth (A) is known for his poem "Tintern Abbey" (III).
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge (B) is known for his poem "Kubla Khan" (II).
• John Keats (C) is known for his poem "Ode to a Nightingale" (I).
• Percy Bysshe Shelley (D) is known for his poem "Ozymandias" (IV).
• These Romantic poets are considered to be among the most important figures in English literature.
• Their works are characterized by their focus on emotion, imagination, and the natural world.
• The Romantic poets had a profound influence on the development of English literature.

The correct answer is 'To illustrate racial segregation and discrimination.'

Key Points

• The mention of being sent to the kitchen reflects the racial segregation and discrimination prevalent in society. 
• The speaker is excluded from the main dining area when guests arrive, indicating the racial inequality and social injustice faced by African Americans.

Therefore, the correct option is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information 

• Option 1 is incorrect. The mention of the kitchen is not about the speaker's domestic role but a result of racial discrimination. 
• Option 2 is incorrect. The speaker's love for cooking is not the focus; it's about the unjust treatment.
• Option 4 is incorrect. The kitchen is not portrayed as a preference but as a place of segregation.

“A Song for St. Cecilia's Day” (1687), is the first of two great odes written by poet laureate John Dryden. It was sung with music for the annual St. Cecilia's Day celebration, which was held every year from 1683 to 1703 on November 22. The celebration was sponsored by the London Musical Society.

St. Cecilia was a Roman and an early Christian martyr and patron saint of music. Cecilia is usually represented playing the organ, which serves as an allusion to her legend of having invented the instrument. According to the poem, “When to her organ, vocal breath was giv'n,/ An angel heard, and straight appear'd/ Mistaking earth for Heav'n”.

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 Golden Gate is the first novel by poet and novelist Vikram Seth. The work is a novel in verse composed of 590 Onegin stanzas. It was inspired by Charles Johnston's translation of Pushkin's Eugene Onegin.  
• Show Business is a postmodern satirical novel by Shashi Tharoor.  
• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium is a book, written by late former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam, before his tenure as the President, and Mr. Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan.
• Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition is a 2011 novel by Chetan Bhagat Its story is concerned with a love triangle, corruption and a journey of self-discovery. R2020 has addressed the issue of how private coaching institutions exploit aspiring engineering students.

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

 Key Points

• Sense and Sensibility (B) was published in 1811.
• Pride and Prejudice (A) was published in 1813.
• Mansfield Park (C) was published in 1814.
• Emma (D) was published in 1815.
• Northanger Abbey (E) was published posthumously in 1818, although it was written around 1798-1799.
• Jane Austen is one of the most beloved and widely read English novelists of all time.
• Her novels are known for their realism, wit, and social commentary.
• Austen's novels have been adapted into numerous films and television series.

The correct answer is 'It placed greater emphasis on social realism and focused on societal corruption as a backdrop for the detective's investigation'.

Key Points

• "Hard-Boiled" detective fiction emerged primarily in the United States during the 1920s, with authors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler leading the way.
• This school introduced a significant shift from the traditional detective fiction that primarily focused on solving a puzzle, to a new focus on social realism and the exploration of societal corruption.
• While the Hard-Boiled detective may be flawed and more professional than their predecessor (the gentleman or amateur detective), these aspects do not encapsulate the key paradigmatic shift introduced by this subgenre.
• The detective in Hard-Boiled fiction typically operates in a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, where corruption is rampant, and justice is hard to come by. These stories often portray a cynicism towards traditional institutions of power.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

During the middle English period (1100 - 1500) words are borrowed from many languages as Latin, French, Greek and other languages. The borrowings from other languages in percentage are as follows:

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

Key Points

• "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen is a groundbreaking Norwegian play that challenges the traditional roles of men and women in the 19th-century marriage.
• "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett, an Irish playwright, is one of the most significant English language plays of the 20th century, famously capturing themes of existentialism and the absurd.
• "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, an American playwright, is a critical look at the American Dream and its impact on an individual and their family, widely considered one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
• "Antigone" by Sophocles, an ancient Greek tragedian, is a classic play that explores themes of individual vs. state, familial loyalty, and the consequences of pride.
• Each of these works is iconic within their respective theatrical traditions and has profoundly influenced the development of drama and theater.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Option 2 mismatches the plays with their respective authors, incorrectly associating "A Doll's House" with Arthur Miller and others.
• Option 3 also presents incorrect associations, such as linking "Waiting for Godot" to Arthur Miller.
• Option 4 swaps the plays and playwrights, inaccurately pairing "Antigone" with Sophocles as part of this specific combination, despite Sophocles being the true author.

The correct answer is "Please, sir, I want some more."

Key Points

• Symbol of Neglect and Greed: This iconic line powerfully embodies the neglect and greed inherent in the workhouse system, reflecting the inadequate care and provision for the poor.
• Oliver's Courage: It marks a moment of courage from Oliver, demonstrating the desperation of the workhouse inmates and their struggle to survive on the scant provisions provided.
• Societal Indifference: The harsh response Oliver receives highlights societal indifference to the plight of the poor and vulnerable, showcasing the systemic neglect.
• Call for Reform: This line has come to symbolize the need for social and institutional reform, serving as a poignant critique of the conditions faced by the poor in Victorian England.
• Emotional Impact: The simplicity yet profound desperation in this request underscores the emotional depth and critique Dickens intended to convey about the treatment of the poor and orphaned.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Option 2: While this option does highlight the plight of workhouse children, it does not include a specific critique as directly tied to an event as Oliver's request for more food.
• Option 3: This line touches on personal responsibility and society's view on self-induced misfortune, not a direct critique of the workhouse system.
• Option 4: Reflects on human nature's darker instincts rather than directly critiquing the workhouse system.

The correct answer is 'The dynamics of power and control in relationships.'

Key Points

• Abusive Power Dynamic: The relationship between Bill Sikes and Nancy starkly illustrates the abusive power dynamic that often characterizes relationships founded in crime and exploitation.
• Control and Manipulation: Sikes’s manipulation and control over Nancy highlight the destructive impact of power imbalances within personal relationships, reflecting broader societal issues of control and domination.
• Violence and Fear: The fear and violence inherent in their relationship showcase the extreme consequences of power being wielded destructively, further emphasizing the novel’s critique of societal violence.
• Lack of Genuine Affection: While Nancy exhibits feelings for Sikes, the relationship is devoid of mutual respect or genuine affection, illustrating how environments of crime corrupt interpersonal dynamics.
• Tragic Consequences: The tragic outcome of their relationship underscores the inevitable consequences of such power imbalances, serving as a cautionary tale against the destructive nature of abusive relationships.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: While love is explored in "Oliver Twist," the relationship between Bill Sikes and Nancy is more abusive than transformative.
• Option 2: Although crime and violence are central themes, their relationship more directly explores power dynamics rather than the broader consequences of crime.
• Option 4: Nancy does make a significant sacrifice, but the primary focus of their relationship is the abuse of power, rather than redemption.

The correct answer is ‘Modernist Desolation and Fragmentation.’

 Key Points

• Option 1 Modernist Desolation and Fragmentation: "The Waste Land" is a seminal work of modernist literature, reflecting the disillusionment and fragmentation of the post-World War I era.
• The poem explores the spiritual and emotional desolation of a world that has lost its traditional values and cohesion.
•  "The Waste Land" is known for its complexity, multiple voices, and rich allusions, making it a challenging work that reflects the shattered landscape of the modern world.
• Eliot uses a variety of modernist techniques in The Waste Land, such as stream-of-consciousness, multiple perspectives, and abrupt shifts in tone and style. These techniques help to create a sense of fragmentation and disorientation.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.'

 Additional Information

• Option 2 (Incorrect): This option is incorrect. While Eliot engages with nature, it is not in a romantic or celebratory manner. Instead, nature is often depicted as desolate and devoid of the vitality found in Romantic poetry.
• Option 3 (Incorrect): This option is incorrect. "The Waste Land" is marked by a lack of explicit religious redemption or hope. It rather presents a world in spiritual crisis and disarray.
• Option 4 (Incorrect): This option is incorrect. The poem does not advocate political utopianism or present a vision of social harmony. It focuses more on the disintegration and decay of societal structures.

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.

The correct answer is 'Of Grammatology'.

Key Points

• Jacques Derrida introduces the concept of "Deconstruction" in "Of Grammatology" (1967), a foundational text in the field of post-structuralism.
• Deconstruction is a critical approach that seeks to uncover and unravel the complexities, contradictions, and assumptions underlying our understanding of language, texts, and meaning.
• Derrida argues that language is inherently unstable and that meaning is always deferred, challenging the notion of fixed, binary opposites (e.g., presence/absence, speech/writing).
• "Of Grammatology" critiques the Western philosophical tradition of logocentrism—the privileging of speech over writing—and introduces the idea of differánce, a key concept in deconstructive theory.
• Through deconstruction, Derrida seeks to expose and dismantle the hierarchies and dualisms that structure Western thought, advocating for a more nuanced, open-ended approach to reading and interpretation.
• This work has had profound implications not only for literary theory but also for philosophy, cultural studies, and critical theory more broadly, influencing numerous disciplines and areas of study.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• "Writing and Difference" and "The Post Card: From Socrates to Freud and Beyond" are also significant works by Derrida that further explore deconstructive themes, but the concept is introduced in "Of Grammatology."
• "Archive Fever: A Freudian Impression" delves into the concept of the archive and its implications for history, memory, and identity but does not introduce deconstruction.

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 154.

Key Points

•  In 1609, Shakespeare released a quarto containing 154 sonnets. 
• For instance, the first 17 sonnets appear to be written to a lovely, young, aristocratic man pleading with him to marry and produce children. There are several possibilities for this Fair Youth's identity, but he remains unknown.
• There are 28 sonnets devoted to a woman toward the conclusion of the collection. They depict a female lover accused of making the poet obsessed, irrationally jealous, cheating on him and snatching away his boy companion, far from idealising a flawless lady. Nobody is aware of who the Dark Lady is.
• Shakespeare also composed six more sonnets, which were included in the productions of Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, and Love's Labor's Lost. 
• Shakespeare presents a young man instead of expressing worshipful adoration for an almost goddess-like but unreachable feminine love object, as had been done by Petrarch, Dante, and Philip Sidney. Additionally, he introduces the Dark Lady, a non-goddess. 

Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer.

Additional Information

•  The Italian sonnet tradition is modified from a Shakespearean sonnet. Some people refer to these sonnets as Elizabethan or English sonnets.
• Shakespeare wasn't the only author to use this poetry form. John Donne and John Milton were two of the well-known English poets of the time who produced sonnets.
• The following components are seen in Shakespearean sonnets:
  • There are 14 lines in all.
  • There are four subgroups made up of fourteen lines.
  • The first three subgroups are each comprised of four lines, or "quatrains," with rhyming phrases appearing in each group's second and fourth lines.
  • The final section of the sonnet is a two-line group that rhymes with itself.
  • The lines are often written in iambic pentameter and include ten syllables.

Jejuri is the name of a series of 31 poems written in 1976 by Arun Kolatkar, an Indian poet who wrote in Marathi and English both. Jejuri won the Commonwealth Prize in 1977.

The poems cover one day pilgrimage of writer to Jejuri, a place associated with Khandoba. Yeshwant Rao, Chaitanya and The Priest are part of the accumulation, but An Old Man is not one of those 31 poems.

The correct answer is '(i) and (iii)'.

Key Points

• Langston Hughes is celebrated for his vivid, lyrical portraits of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties, and his work is emblematic of the Harlem Renaissance's exploration of African American identity and culture.
• Claude McKay, a Jamaican-American writer and poet, was a significant figure whose works articulated the racial and economic injustices that African Americans faced and were influential in spurring the Harlem Renaissance.
• The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s, showcasing the literary, artistic, and intellectual achievements of African Americans.
• Poetry of the era often focused on themes of racial pride, resistance to societal discrimination, and the celebration of African American culture.
• Hughes and McKay used their poetry to challenge stereotypes, advocate for racial justice, and express the complexities of black life in America.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 incorrectly combines Langston Hughes with Zora Neale Hurston, who, while a significant figure in the Harlem Renaissance, is better known for her work in prose.
• Option 3 pairs Zora Neale Hurston with W.E.B. Du Bois, linking a novelist and an activist/scholar rather than focusing on poets.
• Option 4 incorrectly combines Claude McKay with W.E.B. Du Bois, overlooking Langston Hughes' pivotal contributions to Harlem Renaissance poetry.

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.

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 ‘A, B, C, D, E.’

 Key Points

• The Tatler (A) was founded in 1709.
• The Spectator (B) was founded in 1711.
• The Rambler (C) was founded in 1750.
• The Idler (D) was founded in 1758.
• The Lounger (E) was founded in 1785.
• Literary journals are periodicals that publish literary works, such as poems, short stories, essays, and reviews.
• Literary journals play an important role in promoting new and emerging writers.
• Literary journals often reflect the changing literary and cultural trends of their time.

The correct answer is "Sea Voyage".

Key Points

• "We are not Afraid to Die...If We are all Together"  written by Gordan Cook and Alan East, the story is about a 37-year-old businessman who is the narrator of the story.
• The story tells about the extreme bravery and skill exhibited by Gordon Cook. Gordon Cook's family and crewmen are in a war with water and the waves for existence.
• In the month of July in the year 1976, the writer, his wife Mary, his son Jonathan and his daughter Suzanne set sail from Plymouth, in England to duplicate the round-the-world journey made 200 years ago by Captain James Cook.
• The title of the story is taken from the dialogue of the son Johnathan, from the story.

Therefore the correct answer is option 1.

The Jew of Malta is a tragic play created by Christopher Marlowe, the most celebrated dramatist of the Renaissance Period after Shakespeare. The play opens with a prologue in which Machiavel, a character based on Niccolo Machiavelli, introduces “the tragedy of a Jew, The Jew of Malta”.

He dismisses religion as a “childish toy” and disdains popular superstition. He further states that this man’s riches (Jew’s) were gained through close adherence to Machevill’s own recommended methods and also hopes from the readers to not to treat the Jew badly but to favor him.

The correct answer is 'The poem represents a complex interplay between the poet's internal emotional turmoil and the external socio-political climate of the time'.

Key Points

• "Dejection: An Ode" can be seen as embodying more than just a personal expression of sadness; it subtly reflects the anxieties and challenges of the broader socio-political climate during Coleridge's time, including reactions to the French Revolution and its aftermath, economic hardship, and the industrial revolution's early stages.
• The ode's exploration of dejection is intertwined with a sensitive awareness of the natural world, suggesting an environmental consciousness that transcends personal grief and points to a deeper disquiet about humanity's disconnect from nature amidst rapid societal changes.
• Coleridge's articulation of despair and alienation resonates with the disillusionment felt by many during a period of significant upheaval, serving as a poignant critique of his era's optimism about progress and the Enlightenment beliefs in reason and individualism.
• The poem’s structure and use of language act as vehicles for critiquing the era’s intellectual and philosophical ethos, subtly questioning the viability of Romantic idealism as a means to comprehend and navigate the complexities of human experience within a changing world.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information

• Celebrating the natural world's beauty (Option 1) is a theme in Coleridge's work but doesn't capture the depth of "Dejection: An Ode."
• A straightforward lament about unrequited love (Option 2) overlooks the poem's broader existential and socio-political reflections.
• Abstract exploration of poetic form (Option 4) undervalues the poem's engagement with personal and historical content.

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. His first novel Things Fall Apart (1958) deals with the theme of culture and colonialism, was considered his magnum opus. 

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

Key Points​

• "The Country Wife" by William Wycherley was first performed in 1675. It is a notable example of Restoration comedy, known for its sharp satirical wit and commentary on the manners and sexual mores of Restoration society.
• "The Way of the World" by William Congreve debuted in 1700. This play is also a Restoration comedy, celebrated for its sophisticated dialogue, complex characters, and intricate plot mechanisms.
• "Manfred" by Lord Byron, published in 1817, is not a Restoration drama but a work from the Romantic period. It is a dramatic poem that delves into the themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural, reflecting the Romantic era's focus on emotion and the sublime.
• "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde was first performed in 1895. It is a play from the Victorian era, known for its witty dialogue, satirical commentary on Victorian society, and exploration of identity and social obligations.
• The chronological order of publication/performance starts with Wycherley's and Congreve's works in the Restoration period, followed by Byron's Romantic-era poem, and concludes with Wilde's Victorian play.
• This sequence shows the evolution of English drama from the Restoration's comedic critiques of society to the Romantic and Victorian periods' broader thematic explorations.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

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

Key Points

• Ethnography (iv): involves the researcher immersing themselves in the community or group being studied to observe and interact directly with participants.
• Content Analysis (iii): is a method for studying and analyzing communication in various forms to understand patterns, themes, biases, and meanings.
• Case Study (ii): focuses on an in-depth investigation of a single case (an individual, group, event, or community) to explore and understand complex issues.
• Historical Research (i): involves examining past events to interpret and understand their causes, effects, and significance within a historical context.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• Each research methodology in humanities serves specific objectives and helps uncover insights that can be both subjective and objective, depending on the nature of the study.

Toni Morrison is an American novelist and cultural critic of contemporary time, who bagged Pulitzer and Nobel award as well for her well known novels.

She is an expert in depiction of African-American experiences and culture, especially through her women characters. Inspired by the true story, Beloved is Morrison ‘s best novel, set in a time after the American civil war and revolves around the bitter life of an African American slave Sethe. She kills her two year old daughter to save her from a life of slavery.

She defends her act by claiming that she was “trying to put my babies where they would be safe. “