Kerala SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 1 (English) - KTET MCQ

The correct answer is 'Horrified'.

Key Points

• In the first stanza, the speaker states that they were "horrified" to discover that they had been "ruined" and that they cried "like a child to be killed or sent back to [their] aunt." 
• The speaker's use of words like "horrified" and "ruined" conveys a sense of deep shock, distress, and shame.
• The speaker's desire to be killed or sent away suggests that they feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with the situation.
• The speaker does not express feelings of indifference, anger, or remorse at the beginning of the poem.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 4.’

The correct answer is 'They symbolize the passage of time and the speaker's inability to move on.'

Key Points

• The speaker describes the sun's print as "occasional" and the worry of wheels as "brisk brief," suggesting that these moments are fleeting and impermanent. 
• The speaker also mentions that the wheels are "along the street outside," which implies that they are moving forward while the speaker is stuck in the past.
• The contrast between the movement of the outside world and the speaker's own stasis highlights the speaker's sense of being trapped and unable to move on from their traumatic experience.
• The speaker does not explicitly express feelings of happiness, guilt, or shame in relation to the sun and wheels.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 2.

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 'A, B, C, D, E'

 Key Point

• New Criticism became prominent in the 1930s and 1940s. It focused on close reading of the text itself, without considering external factors such as authorship or historical context. New Criticism emphasized the text's intrinsic value and its structural and literary devices.
• Structuralism emerged in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, drawing heavily from linguistics. It proposed that human culture could be understood by identifying and analyzing its underlying structures. Structuralism looks for the underlying meaning behind cultural phenomena and was influential in the development of other theories.
• Post-Structuralism, developing in the late 1960s and into the 1970s, evolved as a response to Structuralism. It questioned the idea of fixed structures and meanings, suggesting that meaning is always deferred and can never be fully pinned down. This theory argues against the rigid frameworks of Structuralism, proposing that interpretations can vary.
• Deconstruction, a form of criticism developed by Jacques Derrida in the late 20th century (mostly in the 1970s), often associated with Post-Structuralism, further explores the instability of meaning within texts. It deconstructs established structures and ideas, revealing contradictions and conflicts within texts themselves.
• New Historicism rose to prominence in the 1980s. It merges the literary analysis with historical context, proposing that literature and history are dynamically interrelated. New Historicism reconsiders texts within the context of their creation and reception historically.

The correct answer is 'Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.'

 Key Points

• Assertion: Marxism posits that the economic structure, particularly the means of production, determines the political and social arrangements within a society.
• Marxist theorists argue that the relations of production and the mode of production heavily influence the broader social and political framework.
• Reason: The Marxist theory asserts that the ruling class, which controls the means of production, also holds significant sway over the political and social institutions. Economic dominance translates into broader societal power dynamics.
• According to Marxist theory, society is divided into distinct classes, primarily the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the proletariat (working class).
• Economic dominance by the ruling class leads to the creation of a societal hierarchy, where the interests of the bourgeoisie shape political institutions, laws, and social norms.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.' 

 Additional Information

• Option 2: Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason explains the Assertion.
• Option 3: The Assertion is true, and the Reason is also true, providing a valid explanation.
• Option 4: Both the Assertion and Reason are true; the Reason aligns with the principles of Marxist theory.

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 'It organizes English-speaking countries into Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles based on historical and linguistic context.'

Key Points

• The Three Concentric Circles model was devised to illustrate the different ways English is spoken around the world, influenced by colonization, the spread of English as a second language, and its recognition as a global lingua franca.
• The Inner Circle consists of countries where English is the native language (e.g., the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia).
• The Outer Circle involves countries where English is not the native language but holds an official status and plays a significant part in the nation’s institutions, often due to colonization (e.g., India, Nigeria, Singapore).
• The Expanding Circle includes countries where English does not have an official status but is widely used for international business and communication (e.g., China, Russia, Brazil).
• This model highlights the linguistic and cultural diversity of English users worldwide and challenges the traditional native-speaker norm by recognizing varieties of English and their legitimacy.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 suggests a chronological perspective, which doesn't align with Kachru’s model.
• Option 2 simplifies the model to just native speakers, overlooking the complexity and global spread of English.
• Option 4 misconstrues the model as a measure of individual proficiency rather than a sociolinguistic categorization.

Had we but world enough and time, 

This coyness, lady, were no crime. 

We would sit down, and think which way 

To walk, and pass our long love’s day. 

Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side 

Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide 

Of Humber would complain. I would 

Love you ten years before the flood, 

And you should, if you please, refuse 

Till the conversion of the Jews. 

My vegetable love should grow 

Vaster than empires and more slow; 

An hundred years should go to praise 

Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze; 

Two hundred to adore each breast, 

But thirty thousand to the rest; 

An age at least to every part, 

And the last age should show your heart. 

For, lady, you deserve this state, 

Nor would I love at lower rate. 

       But at my back I always hear 

Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near; 

And yonder all before us lie 

Deserts of vast eternity. 

Thy beauty shall no more be found; 

Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound 

My echoing song; then worms shall try 

That long-preserved virginity, 

And your quaint honour turn to dust, 

And into ashes all my lust; 

The grave’s a fine and private place, 

But none, I think, do there embrace. 

       Now therefore, while the youthful hue 

Sits on thy skin like morning dew, 

And while thy willing soul transpires 

At every pore with instant fires, 

Now let us sport us while we may, 

And now, like amorous birds of prey, 

Rather at once our time devour 

Than languish in his slow-chapped power. 

Let us roll all our strength and all 

Our sweetness up into one ball, 

And tear our pleasures with rough strife 

Through the iron gates of life: 

Thus, though we cannot make our sun 

Stand still, yet we will make him run.

The correct answer is 'Wanja'

 Key Points

• Wanja is a young woman from a poor Kikuyu family who is drawn into the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule in Kenya.
• She is a complex and sympathetic character who is torn between her love for her family and her desire for a better life.
• Wanja's story is a powerful indictment of colonialism and its devastating impact on African societies.
• "Petals of Blood" is a sweeping historical novel that spans several decades and explores the complex social and political forces that shaped Kenya's struggle for independence.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Key Points

• Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819. He is often considered one of the pioneers of free verse and is best known for his work "Leaves of Grass."
• Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830. Known for her unique style and seclusion from society, Dickinson's poetry has had a significant impact on American literature.
• Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874. Frost is renowned for his depictions of rural New England life and his use of American colloquial speech in poetry.
• T.S. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888. A leading figure of modernist poetry, Eliot's notable works include "The Waste Land" and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
• Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932. Plath is known for her confessional style of poetry and her novel "The Bell Jar." Her works explore themes of identity, depression, and the female experience.
• The chronological order of their births starts with Walt Whitman, followed by Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, and finally Sylvia Plath. This demonstrates the development of American poetry from the 19th into the mid-20th century, showing transitions in style, themes, and literary movements.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

The correct answer is 'To test the feasibility of a research project'.

 Key Points

• A pilot study is a small-scale study that is conducted before a larger research project is undertaken.
• The purpose of a pilot study is to test the feasibility of the research project.
• This involves testing the research methods, instruments, and procedures to ensure that they are appropriate and effective.
• A pilot study can also help to identify any potential problems with the research project and to make necessary adjustments.

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 'Utilizing a portion of the revenue from local bodies and donations'.

Key Points

• Wood's Dispatch recommended utilizing a portion of the revenue from local bodies, along with contributions and donations, to fund the expansion of the education system in British India. This approach was meant to create a sustainable funding model for educational development.
• The Dispatch suggested that education should be partly funded by public funds, understanding that for an education system to be robust and accessible, it required stable financial support.
• By engaging local bodies in the funding process, the Dispatch aimed to foster a sense of community involvement and responsibility towards the educational welfare of the populace.
• The inclusion of donations as a means of funding also opened opportunities for philanthropic contributions to play a significant role in the development of educational infrastructure and resources.
• This funding model was designed to ensure that educational initiatives could be expanded and sustained over time, meeting the needs of a growing population and adapting to changing societal demands.
• By proposing a collaborative approach to funding, Wood's Dispatch laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and community-driven education system, emphasizing the shared responsibility of government, local bodies, and the community in promoting education.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Imposing a special education tax on agricultural produce and redirecting all military spending to education were not recommendations made by Wood's Dispatch.
• Mandating that all educational institutions be self-funded overlooks the Dispatch's emphasis on collective responsibility and shared funding mechanisms for educational development.

• 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 'Long John Silver.'

 Key Points

• Long John Silver is a central character in "Treasure Island," a classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1883.
• Silver is the ship's cook and one of the primary antagonists. His complex character is known for his charm, cunning, and ability to manipulate situations.
• He is associated with the pirate crew and plays a significant role in the search for Captain Flint's buried treasure.
• Long John Silver's moral ambiguity and shifting allegiances add depth to the novel's exploration of themes such as greed, loyalty, and the consequences of pursuing wealth.
• "Treasure Island" is a seminal work in the pirate adventure genre and has influenced countless subsequent works in literature and popular culture.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect. Captain Hook is a character from J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," not Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island."
• Option 3 is incorrect. Captain Nemo is a character from Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," not "Treasure Island."
• Option 4 is incorrect. Ishmael is the narrator of Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," not a character in "Treasure Island."

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 mariner killed the Albatross as he thought it to be the reason for the wind to die, although the other sailors thought that the bird was associated with good luck.

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

Key Points

• Theatre of the Absurd rejects the traditional concept of a linear narrative.
• It employs fragmented and disjointed scenes to convey a sense of chaos and meaninglessness.
• The plays of Theatre of the Absurd often explore themes of existentialism, alienation, and the meaninglessness of life.
• Some of the most famous playwrights of Theatre of the Absurd include Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and Jean Genet.
• The fragmented and disjointed scenes in Theatre of the Absurd are a reflection of the fragmented and disjointed nature of the modern world.

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 'All of the above'.

 Key Points

• In the poem, the speaker remembers many things about his childhood in the Caribbean, including the beauty of the beaches, the warmth of the people, and the sound of the steel drums.
• The speaker's memories are tinged with nostalgia and longing.
• The poem is a celebration of the speaker's Caribbean heritage.
• "A Far Cry from Africa" is one of Walcott's most famous poems and is considered a classic of Caribbean literature.

Marlowes A Passionate Shepherd to his Love and John Donnes The Bait start with the same line.

William Butler Yeats[a] (13 June 1865 – 28 January 1939) was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he helped to found the Abbey Theatre, and in his later years served as a Senator of the Irish Free State for two terms. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn and others.

• Epistolary fiction is a type of fiction that is written in the form of letters.
• "The Color Purple" is written in the form of letters that Celie writes to God and to her sister Nettie.
• The letters in "The Color Purple" reveal Celie's innermost thoughts and feelings, and they allow readers to experience her journey from victim to survivor to empowered woman.
• The epistolary format of the novel also allows Walker to explore different perspectives and voices, as Celie's letters are interspersed with letters from other characters.
• The use of letters in "The Color Purple" helps to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, and it allows readers to connect with Celie on a personal level.

• Option 1 is incorrect because "The Color Purple" is not a fantasy novel.
• Option 2 is incorrect because "The Color Purple" is not a science fiction novel.
• Option 4 is incorrect because "The Color Purple" is not primarily a romance novel, although it does contain some romantic elements.

The correct answer is 'A desolate wasteland'.

 Key Points

• In "Australia" by A.D. Hope, the speaker describes the Australian landscape as "drab green and desolate grey" and characterizes it as a "nation of trees" but devoid of lushness or vibrancy.
• The speaker portrays Australia as lacking in history, emotions, and architecture, suggesting a sense of emptiness and barrenness.
• Phrases like "the last of lands," "A woman beyond her change of life, a breast Still tender but within the womb is dry," and "Her rivers of water drown among inland sands" evoke a sense of desolation and aridity.
• The imagery of "the vast parasite robber-state" draining each city and the comparison of inhabitants to "second-hand Europeans" highlight a sense of depletion and exhaustion in the land.
• Overall, the comparison to a "desolate wasteland" captures the bleakness and emptiness portrayed in the poem, emphasizing the lack of vitality and abundance in the Australian landscape.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4. 

The correct answer is 'The British Empire's colonial expansion.'

Key Points

• Global Empire: The British Empire, at its height, was the largest empire in history and included territories on every continent, which facilitated the global spread of the English language.
• Language of Administration: English was often implemented as the language of administration and education in colonies, which entrenched its use in official and academic contexts worldwide.
• Cultural Exportation: Along with political control, the British Empire exported its culture and language through literature, education, and media, contributing to English's global prominence.
• Lingua Franca: English became a lingua franca for trade, diplomacy, and international relations due to the widespread influence of the British Empire.
• Legacy: The historical legacy of the British Empire continues to influence the global status of English as a dominant world language, used in international business, diplomacy, and as a common second language.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Although the telegraph was important for communications technology, it did not specifically contribute to the global spread of English.
• Option 3: The development of the internet has facilitated global communication but is not the historical reason for the widespread adoption of English.
• Option 4: The Renaissance was influential in the development of Western culture and languages, but it was not a critical factor in the rapid global spread of English.

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 ‘(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.

The correct answer is ‘(ii) and (iii)'.

Key Points

• Naturalism in literature was part of a broader 19th-century movement that sought to apply the principles of realism and impartiality applied to the study of human beings by sciences, to literature.
• John Clare: Known for his celebration of the English countryside and sorrow at its disruption, Clare's poetry is marked by a keen observation of nature, embodying traits akin to Naturalism. His works intricately observed and depicted rural life and natural environments with a profound depth, aligning well with the Naturalism movement’s emphasis on the environment's influence on people.
• Thomas Hardy: Though more renowned as a novelist, Hardy's poetry also reflects naturalistic elements, delving deeply into the harsh realities of rural life, the inevitable decline of the human condition, and the impersonal forces (often nature) shaping human destiny. His poetic works offer a pessimistic outlook on life, consistent with Naturalist philosophy.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Gerard Manley Hopkins is better known for his innovative use of sprang rhythm and vivid imagery inspired by his religious beliefs and appreciation of nature, not strictly Naturalism.
• Robert Frost, while profoundly influenced by nature in his work, does not fit squarely into the Naturalism movement; his poetry often includes themes of self-reflection and human emotion in relation to the natural world.

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. 

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.