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

The correct answer is 'Suffering is always unique and personal to each individual.'

Key Points

• The speaker states that "suffering is exact," suggesting that it is unique and specific to each individual. 
• This is supported by the fact that the speaker's own suffering is described in vivid and personal detail.
• The speaker's use of the word "exact" implies that suffering is precise and cannot be generalized or compared to the suffering of others.
• The speaker does not suggest that suffering is always fair, just, predictable, or caused by external factors.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 3.’

The correct answer is 'It represents the speaker's sharp and painful memories.'

Key Points

• The speaker describes their mind as lying open like a "drawer of knives," suggesting that their memories are sharp, painful, and potentially dangerous. 
• The image of a drawer full of knives conveys the idea that the speaker's memories are numerous, intrusive, and difficult to control.
• The speaker's use of the word "knives" also suggests a sense of betrayal and violation.
• The speaker does not express a desire to inflict pain on others, fear of being hurt again, or inability to let go of the past in relation to the drawer of knives metaphor.

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.

The correct answer is 'Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.' (Option 1).

Key Points

• The Theatre of Cruelty, developed by Antonin Artaud, is predicated on the belief that the primary goal of theater is to impact the audience physically and emotionally rather than through intellectual comprehension.
• It rejects the dominance of the spoken word in favor of a unique language that speaks directly to the unconscious mind, employing a combination of gestures, sounds, lights, and symbols.
• The use of dramatic lighting, overpowering soundscapes, and shocking imagery is intended to disrupt the comfortable detachment often experienced by audiences in conventional theater settings.
• This approach demands an active involvement from the audience, compelling them to confront their deepest fears and desires in a shared space of collective catharsis.
• Artaud's vision for the Theatre of Cruelty centers on the idea that through such intense theatrical experiences, audiences can be awakened to the realities of their existence, breaking free from the constraints of conventional thought and perception.

Conclusion Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• The reason given is a direct explanation of the assertion, detailing why the dramatic techniques of lighting, sound, and performance are used in the Theatre of Cruelty, making option 2 incorrect.
• Options 3 and 4 are incorrect as both the assertion and reason correctly identify key concepts of the Theatre of Cruelty.

The Four-Gated City is the concluding novel of the five-volume series, Children of Violence, a major literary achievement of Lessing. The series can be termed as Bildungsroman for it develops the central character, Martha Quest, from birth in Southern Africa at the end of World War One, through an adolescence, youth and marriage shaped by the savageries of the Second World War.

The Four-Gated City portrays Martha, in London as the Fifties begin and also describe post-war Britain after a devastating atomic war. Martha is an integral part of the social history of the time the Cold War, the deepening of poverty and social anarchy. The series virtually covers the twentieth-century. The Four-Gated City ends with the century in the grip of World War Three, a conclusion like space fiction.

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 Edward Bond's Bingo.

Important Points

• Bingo: Scenes of Money and Death is a play written by English playwright Edward Bond in 1973.
• It shows an ageing William Shakespeare at his Warwickshire home in 1615 and 1616.
• Here, Bond had put the character of Shakespeare on stage and is showed that he was suffering because he signed a contract that protected his landholdings, on the condition that he would not interfere with an enclosure of common lands that would hurt the local peasant farmers.
• Although the play is fictional, this contract has a factual basis. 
• Bingo is a political drama heavily influenced by Bertolt Brecht and Epic Theatre.
• Some have praised Bond’s portrayal of Shakespeare while others have criticized it.  

Thus, option 1 is correct.

Additional Information

• Mountain Language is a one-act play written by Harold Pinter. It concerns a group of women who have been waiting all day outside a prison in the hope of seeing their menfolk inside. 
• Loot is a two-act play by the English playwright Joe Orton. The play is a dark farce that satirises the Roman Catholic Church, social attitudes to death, and the integrity of the police force.

The correct answer is 'Subalternity'.

Key Points

• Subalternity is a concept critical to Subaltern Studies, introduced to highlight and analyze the perspectives and experiences of those marginalized by mainstream historical and political narratives.
• The term "Subaltern" was popularized in postcolonial studies by the Subaltern Studies Group, an interdisciplinary group of scholars interested in the history and societies of South Asia.
• Subaltern Studies aim to recover the viewpoints of people who are outside the social, economic, and political hegemony, including peasants, women, and other minority groups.
• This approach challenges Eurocentric views of history and seeks to give voice to those historically silenced or marginalized.
• By focusing on Subalternity, researchers in Humanities emphasize the significance of diverse narratives, conducting research that inclusively represents different societal layers and cultures.
• It underlines the importance of recognizing and integrating these marginalized voices into academic discourses to create a more comprehensive understanding of history and society.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Orientalism, a term popularized by Edward Said, critiques Western portrayals of the Eastern societies but does not specifically focus on the concept of subalternity.
• Structural Functionalism is a sociological theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability, not directly related to Subaltern Studies.
• Hermeneutics involves the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text, rather than focusing on marginalized voices.

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

Key Points

• "Orientalism" is a seminal work by Edward Said that critiques Western perceptions of the East, making (a) matched with (ii) correct. Said examines how these perceptions have shaped, and often distorted, the understanding of Eastern societies in Western academia and colonial policies.
• "The Madwoman in the Attic" by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar explores the role and representation of women in nineteenth-century literature, showing how female characters were often marginalized or depicted as either angels or monsters, hence (b) matched with (iii).
• "The Archaeology of Knowledge" is authored by Michel Foucault and delves into the ways in which knowledge and discourse are formed in societies, analyzing the structures that govern the production of knowledge, which makes (c) with (i) the correct match.
• "Gender Trouble" by Judith Butler introduced the concept of gender performativity, challenging the fixed and essentialist views of gender, leading to significant discussions in feminist theory and beyond, accurately pairing (d) with (iv).

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 1.’

Additional Information

• Option 2 mismatches all authors and their works.
• Option 3 also incorrectly pairs the works and authors.
• Option 4 does the same, with no correct matchups.

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 '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.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘the author's intention is irrelevant to the meaning of the text'.

 Key Points

• Barthes' concept of the "death of the author" means that the author's intention is irrelevant to the meaning of the text.
• Barthes argues that the meaning of a text is created by the reader, not by the author.
• He believes that the author's intention is only one of many factors that can influence the meaning of a text, and that the reader's own experiences and knowledge are just as important.
• Barthes' concept of the death of the author has been influential in literary theory and criticism, and it has led to a new focus on the role of the reader in the creation of meaning.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect because Barthes believes that the reader is not the sole creator of the meaning of the text.
• Option 3 is incorrect because Barthes believes that the text does not exist independently of the author and the reader.
• Option 4 is incorrect because Barthes believes that the author's biography is less important than the text itself.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Key Points

• "Burger's Daughter" is a novel that revolves around the South African anti-apartheid struggle, examining the complexities of political commitment.
• "July's People" envisions a post-revolutionary South Africa and explores themes of power dynamics and race relations in a deeply divided society.
• "The Conservationist" is a novel that was awarded the Booker Prize in 1974 and is considered one of Gordimer's most significant works, dealing with themes of alienation and displacement in apartheid South Africa.
• Nadine Gordimer was a South African writer, political activist, and Nobel Laureate in Literature in 1991, celebrated for her thought-provoking works that delve into racial and moral issues during and after apartheid.
• Her writing is characterized by nuanced character development, sophisticated narrative structures, and deep engagement with social issues, making her a critical voice in literature and activism.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 incorrectly combines "Burger's Daughter" with "Disgrace," the latter being a novel by J.M. Coetzee.
• Option 2 misses "Burger's Daughter," omitting a key work that showcases Gordimer's exploration of the anti-apartheid struggle.
• Option 4 mistakenly includes "Disgrace," failing to recognize that the novel is not among Gordimer's works.

"There is no outside-text." It is usually mistranslated as "There is nothing outside the text" by his opponents to make it appear that Derrida is claiming nothing exists beyond language

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 Auden Group or the Auden Generation is a group of British and Irish writers active in the 1930s that included W. H. Auden, Louis MacNeice, Cecil Day-Lewis, Stephen Spender, Christopher Isherwood, and sometimes Edward Upward and Rex Warner. They were sometimes called simply the Thirties poets.

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.

I-3, II-1, III-4, IV-2 

The correct answer is 'The ability to display an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions while hiding the conscious effort that went into them'.

Key Points

• 'Sprezzatura' is an Italian term first coined by Renaissance author Baldassare Castiglione in 'The Book of the Courtier'. It describes a courtier's manner of displaying an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions without apparent effort.
• This concept was an essential aspect of the Renaissance courtier's ideal character and has been influential in discussions about charisma, style, and leadership ever since.
• In literature, 'sprezzatura' can refer to the writing style of an author who makes the composition seem effortless, or to the characterization of individuals who manage complex situations with grace and ease.
• This term illustrates the Renaissance belief in the ideal balance between effort and ease, and the importance of outward appearance and grace.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Roman forces had been withdrawn from Britain by AD 410. The tribes of migrating Germans notably the Jutes, Angles and Saxons began to invade Britain and quickly established command over modern-day England.

Harold Bloom drew a sharp distinction between "strong poets" who perform "strong misreadingsî of their precursors, and "weak poets" who simply repeat the ideas of their precursors as though following a kind of doctrine.

• "Joothan" is an autobiographical narrative written by Omprakash Valmiki.
• It provides a firsthand account of the author's experiences of social discrimination and untouchability.
• The narrative explores issues related to caste oppression and discrimination prevalent in the Indian society.

• "Joothan" is not a novel or novella.
• It is not a biography; it is specifically an autobiography.

The correct answer is 'Nihilism.'

Key Points

• In "Crime and Punishment," Raskolnikov's internal struggle revolves around the philosophical concept of nihilism, the belief that life has no intrinsic meaning or value.
• Raskolnikov believes that moral norms are meaningless, which leads him to commit murder in the belief that he is beyond conventional morality.
• His subsequent guilt and suffering, however, suggest a deep-seated acknowledgment of moral truth, thereby undermining his nihilistic beliefs.
• Dostoevsky's exploration of nihilism in "Crime and Punishment" is reflective of his larger engagement with existential themes and his critique of the moral and spiritual crises of his time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

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 'José Rivera; the exploration of spiritual awakening amidst societal collapse'.

Key Points

• "Marisol" is a postmodern play written by José Rivera.
• The play follows Marisol Perez, a Puerto Rican woman living in New York City, who navigates an apocalyptic landscape as her reality begins to unravel.
• Rivera's work often explores themes of identity, spirituality, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.
• "Marisol" engages with socio-political issues and the dichotomies of urban life, but it is primarily focused on the protagonist's spiritual awakening and the endurance of human spirit amid societal collapse.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

True History of the Kelly Gang is a novel by Australian writer Peter Carey, based loosely on the history of the Kelly Gang. It was first published in Brisbane by the University of Queensland Press in 2000. It won the 2001 Booker Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Prize in the same year. Despite its title, the book is fiction and a variation on the Ned Kelly story.

In an effort to attract foreign readers to the story, the book's American publisher, Alfred Knopf, heralded the book as a "Great American Novel", even though the novel takes place entirely within Australia. The claim that this book is an "American novel" appears to be based on the fact that author Peter Carey, an Australian, has lived in New York City for many years.