UGC NET Paper 2 English Mock Test - 9 - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is ‘Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).'

 Key Points

• Artaud sought to break away from traditional narrative structures in theater.
• The focus was on creating an immersive and transformative experience for the audience.
• Artaud emphasized the use of sensory stimuli, including sound, light, and movement, over traditional reliance on language and rationality.
• Assertion (A) is true:- Artaud indeed aimed to create an immersive and transformative experience for the audience. The rejection of traditional narrative structures and the emphasis on sensory stimuli were central to the Theatre of Cruelty.
• Reason (R) is true and provides the correct explanation:- Artaud believed that traditional theater, which heavily relied on language and rationality, was insufficient. His rejection of conventional forms aimed at eliciting more profound emotions and primal responses from the audience.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.' 

 Additional Information

• Option 2 (Both true, but Explanation incorrect):- This option is incorrect because the Reason (R) is the correct explanation.
• Option 3 (A true, but R false):- This option is incorrect because both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true.
• Option 4 (A false, but R true):- This option is incorrect because both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true.

The correct answer is 'It suffers from materialism and social injustice due to industrialization'.

 Key Points

• In "Past and Present," Carlyle contrasts the spiritual values and strong leadership of the medieval period with what he perceives as the ills of Victorian society, particularly the social injustices and materialism fostered by industrialization.
• Carlyle suggests that the Industrial Revolution has resulted in a society that values wealth and material possessions over human well-being, leading to widespread social inequalities and disregard for the conditions of the working class.
• While Carlyle does critique the lack of strong leadership (Option 1) and perceived decline in religious values (Option 2), the primary critique in "Past and Present" is aimed at the consequences of industrialization. Carlyle, contrary to Option 3, does not suggest that too much power has been given to the working class.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is 'Ferdinand de Saussure'.

Key Points

• Two aspects of language were given by Ferdinand de Saussure at the beginning of the twentieth century.
• Langue denotes a system of internalized, shared rules governing a language’s vocabulary, grammar, and sound system.
• Parole designates actual oral and written communication by a member or members of a particular speech community.  

Therefore the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Noam Chomsky, in full Avram Noam Chomsky, (born December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.) is an American theoretical linguist whose work revolutionized the field of linguistics by treating language as a uniquely human cognitive capacity.
• Umberto Eco, (born January 5, 1932, in Alessandria, Italy—died February 19, 2016, in Milan) is an Italian literary critic, novelist, and semiotician, best known for his novel The Name of the Rose(1980).

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

 Key Points

• Romanticism (A) emerged in the late 18th century and early 19th century.
• Realism (B) emerged in the mid-19th century.
• Modernism (C) emerged in the early 20th century.
• Postmodernism (D) emerged in the mid-20th century.
• New Formalism (E) emerged in the late 20th century.
• Literary movements are broad cultural and intellectual trends that influence the style and content of literary works.
• Literary movements often overlap and interact with each other.
• Literary movements reflect the changing values and beliefs of society.

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

Key Points

• The Hour-glass is a play by W. B. Yeats. It was published in 1903.
•  An Irishman by birth, Louis MacNeice's career began as a classics lecturer, but in 1941 he joined the BBC. For the next 20 years, he produced shows for the illustrious Features Department, including his own acclaimed radio play, The Dark Tower, which premiered in 1946 and featured original music by Benjamin Britten.
  • The Dark Tower, which the author refers to as "a radio parable play," is a staging of the debate over free will using references to the ancient theme of the Quest, but in contemporary contexts exposing sexuality, gender, family, and geography.
  • It was written in response to the rise of fascism in Germany and the events of World War II.
• Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote "The Windhover", a sonnet.
  • It was composed on May 30, 1877, although it wasn't published until 1914, as part of the collection Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins.
  • Hopkins dedicated the poem "To Christ our Lord".
  • Windhover is another name for a common kestrel.
• The long philosophical poem The Testament of Beauty reveals a lot of Bridges' philosophical and aesthetic beliefs.
  • This lengthy poem, which is divided into four Books, reflects his high opinion of beauty. Here, beauty is viewed as the Ultimate source of inspiration and direction in life.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

The correct answer is Charles Francis Hockett.

Key Points

• Charles Francis Hockett (January 17, 1916 – November 3, 2000) was an American linguist who developed many influential ideas in American structuralist linguistics.
• Human language has a duality of structure, it has words and sounds.
• Human language is arbitrary. That means human language has no natural connection between encoded signs and its meaning.
• Human languages are creative, it is an open-ended systems.
• Human language is productive, meaning infinite structures of sentences can be made.
• Displacement is possible in human language, for example, you can talk about something that happened in past in the present.
• Human language is culturally transmitted, hence can be studied by any human being.
• They are dynamic and modifiable. That means human communication can change over time.
• Prevarication or lying is possible in human language.
• Specialisation is possible in human language. 

Therefore the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• ​Animal Communication is an example of another kind of communication different from human communication.

The correct answer is 'Walt Whitman.'

 Key Points

• Walt Whitman, an American poet (1819–1892), is associated with transcendentalism and is best known for his collection "Leaves of Grass."
• "Song of Myself" is a prominent poem within "Leaves of Grass," celebrating individualism, the human spirit, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
• Whitman's poetry reflects a belief in the inherent goodness of people and a connection to nature and the universe.
• His free verse style and exploration of democratic ideals have had a profound influence on American poetry.
• Whitman's work is often considered a cornerstone of American literary and poetic tradition.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect. Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style and concise, often enigmatic poems.
• Option 3 is incorrect. Robert Frost is a renowned American poet known for his rural and nature-themed poetry.
• Option 4 is incorrect. Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and is known for his contributions to African American literature.

The Irish Literary Theatre was founded in Dublin by major stalwarts of stagecraft such as William Butler Yeats, Lady Augusta Gregory and Edward Martin in 1898.

Samuel Coleridge died in Highgate, London, United Kingdom.

Samuel Coleridge was an English poet, literary critic, philosopher and theologian who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. He also shared volumes and collaborated with Charles Lamb, Robert Southey and Charles Lloyd.

The Beggar’s Opera is a three –act ballad opera or a social satire written in 1728 by John Gay. Mr Peachum is the main character of the opera, a powerful leader of a gang of thieves, highwaymen and prostitutes. He is not a pimp, but a fencer of goods stolen by his gang of robbers and profiting by their earnings.

He is not a Lawyer but when his affiliates are no longer of use, he betrays them to the criminal court system or impeach them for a respectable reward for himself. It satirizes Italian opera, which was much popular in those days in London.

Note: Three Penny Opera, a modern opera with new music by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann is a parody of Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, with closely similar to characters and plot as well,

The Irish Dramatic Movement was heralded by such figures as W. B. Yeats, Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn.

In "Signs Taken For Wonders," Homi K. Bhabha examines several moments in postcolonial ... that depict the "sudden, fortuitous discovery of the English book" (102). ... that the English book points toward the fixity of Colonial power, along with its ... the "English book" serve as a foil for Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's essay "Can ...

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 "The Four Plays for Dancers"

Key Points

• W.B. Yeats (William Butler Yeats) wrote a series of one-act plays collectively known as "The Four Plays for Dancers."
• The four plays included in this collection are "At the Hawk's Well," "The Only Jealousy of Emer," "The Dreaming of the Bones," and "Calvary."
• Yeats, a leading figure in Irish literature and a Nobel laureate, was associated with the Irish Literary Revival and the Abbey Theatre.
• "The Four Plays for Dancers" showcase Yeats's interest in Irish mythology, symbolism, and mysticism.
• These plays are characterized by their poetic language and exploration of themes related to Irish folklore and spirituality.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4.'

Additional Information

• Option 1: "The Abbey Cycle" is not a recognized collection of plays by W.B. Yeats.
• Option 2: "The Tower Plays" is not a known collection by Yeats.
• Option 3: "The Cuchulain Cycle" does not refer to the specific collection of one-act plays by Yeats.

The correct answer is 'Alliteration.'

Key Points

• Ezekiel employs alliteration prominently in "Night of the Scorpion."
• The repetition of consonant sounds enhances the rhythmic quality of the poem.
• Alliteration contributes to the creation of a vivid and immersive atmosphere in the poem.
• It adds a musical quality to the verses, emphasizing the emotional impact of the narrative.
• The use of alliteration helps convey the intensity of the night and the events surrounding the scorpion sting.
• Ezekiel's skillful use of alliteration contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the poem.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1.'

Additional Information

• Enjambment: While present, enjambment is not the primary poetic device in focus; alliteration takes precedence.
• Symbolism: The poem does use symbolism, but alliteration is the more dominant poetic device.
• Oxymoron: The poem does not rely heavily on oxymorons, making alliteration a more noteworthy poetic device.

• Allegory is a literary device that uses symbols and metaphors to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
• In John Dryden's poem "Absalom and Achitophel", the biblical characters and events are used to allegorize a political crisis in contemporary England.
• The character of Ling David represents King Charles II, Absalom represents the Duke of Monmouth, and the events of the story parallel the political struggles of the time.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2.'

• Option 1: Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent abstract ideas or concepts, but in this case, the characters and events in "Absalom and Achitophel" are not merely symbols; they are used to allegorize a specific historical event.
• Option 3: A chronicle play is a type of historical drama that presents a series of events from history, but "Absalom and Achitophel" is not a chronicle play in the traditional sense; it is a political allegory that uses biblical characters and events to represent contemporary events.
• Option 4: Melodrama is a type of play that emphasizes sensationalism and emotion, but "Absalom and Achitophel" is not a melodrama; it is a political allegory that uses wit and satire to comment on contemporary events.

The correct answer is 'Accidentally killing Mary Dalton'.

Key Points

• "Native Son" is a novel by Richard Wright that explores themes of racism, poverty, and social justice through the life of its protagonist, Bigger Thomas, an African American living in poverty in Chicago during the 1930s.
• The pivotal event that drastically changes Bigger's life is when he accidentally kills Mary Dalton, the daughter of his wealthy white employers. This act happens during a moment of panic when Mary is intoxicated, and Bigger fears being found in her room by her blind mother.
• The accidental killing and Bigger's subsequent actions to cover up his involvement propel the narrative into an exploration of the systemic and personal consequences of racial segregation and economic disparity.
• The incident leads to Bigger's spiraling descent into a series of further crimes and ultimately, his arrest and trial, highlighting the harsh realities of the societal and judicial systems of the time.
• Wright uses this event to critique the societal conditions that lead to such tragic outcomes and to examine the psychological effects of racism and poverty on African Americans.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Winning a lottery, moving to Chicago, and graduating from college are not events that occur in "Native Son" or significantly impact Bigger Thomas' trajectory in the storyline presented by Richard Wright.

The correct answer is 'A Metaphor for Superstition.'

Key Points

• The scorpion's sting in the poem serves as a metaphor for superstition.
• It symbolizes the irrational fears and beliefs ingrained in the villagers.
• The reaction of the villagers to the scorpion's bite reflects their deeply rooted superstitious beliefs.
• The poem explores how superstition can evoke communal solidarity and collective response.
• Ezekiel uses the scorpion as a literary device to critique the impact of irrational beliefs on human behavior.
• The scorpion's sting becomes a powerful symbol, representing the influence of superstition on the community.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2.'

Additional Information

• A Symbol of Evil: While the scorpion's sting has negative consequences, it primarily represents superstition rather than evil.
• A Catalyst for Unity: While the villagers unite in response to the scorpion's sting, the central focus is on superstition.
• A Representation of Divine Intervention: The poem doesn't present the scorpion as a representation of divine intervention but rather as a symbol of superstition.

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

Key Points

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

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

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

The correct answer is 'Richard Hoggart'.

Key Points

• Richard Hoggart founded the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) in 1964, at the University of Birmingham, England.
• The CCCS became a key institution in the development of Cultural Studies as an interdisciplinary field, studying cultural practices and their relation to power, politics, and society.
• Hoggart's work, particularly "The Uses of Literacy" (1957), which examined the changes imposed by mass media on working-class culture in the UK, provided a critical foundation for the center's focus and direction.
• Under Hoggart's leadership, and later Stuart Hall's, the CCCS explored themes such as subcultures, popular music, race, gender, working-class society, and the role of media in cultural formation and societal control.
• The CCCS was influential in promoting the idea that culture must be studied within the social and economic contexts that produce it, leading to groundbreaking research that has shaped Cultural Studies as a discipline.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• While Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall were influential figures in Cultural Studies and associated with the Birmingham Centre, Hoggart was its founder.
• Michel Foucault, although a significant philosopher and critical theorist whose ideas have influenced Cultural Studies, was not directly involved in the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies or its foundation.

The correct answer is 'Its capacity to generate an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules.'

Key Points

• Chomsky introduced the concept of generative grammar to explain how humans are able to comprehend and produce language. It fundamentally changed the understanding of linguistic structures and their acquisition.
• A core principle of generative grammar is the idea that a relatively small set of rules or principles can account for the ability to produce and understand an infinite array of sentences, including those that the speaker has never previously encountered.
• This concept supports the idea of a universal grammar underlying all human languages, suggesting an innate linguistic capability that is part of the human genetic endowment.
• Generative grammar is concerned with the underlying competence that allows for this creative aspect of language use rather than performance or the actual usage of language in specific instances.
• Chomsky's approach focuses on deep structures that govern sentence formation and surface structures that emerge from transformations applied to these deep structures, showing how complex sentences can be systematically analyzed and understood.
• The theory provides a powerful framework for understanding how language operates at a cognitive level, offering insights into the processes behind language acquisition and use.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because generative grammar is not primarily concerned with predicting language use in social contexts, focusing instead on innate linguistic structures.
• Option 2: Incorrect as it simplifies the concept, overlooking the generative aspect of producing limitless expressions, not just sentence structure analysis.
• Option 4: Incorrect because Chomsky's generative grammar is more concerned with the innate capacity for language rather than prescriptive rules of grammar in writing.

The correct answer is 'The resilience and hope for a revival of the harp's music.'

Key Points

• The speaker portrays the harp as hanging lonely on a withered bough, emphasizing its desolation.
• Describing the harp as unstrung forever, the poem highlights its perpetual silence and abandonment.
• The harp's current state reflects neglect, muteness, and desolation, akin to a ruined monument in a deserted landscape.
• Despite its desolation, the speaker expresses a strong desire for the revival of the harp's music, symbolizing a hopeful resurgence of India's cultural heritage.

The correct answer is "Things Fall Apart".

Key Points

• "Things Fall Apart" is a seminal work by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, published in 1958. It is revered for its deep and poignant exploration of the social, cultural, and political upheavals faced by the Igbo society due to British colonialism and Christian missionary activities in Nigeria.
• The novel is set in the late 19th century and tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected leader in the Igbo community of Umuofia, whose life is disrupted by the arrival of Europeans. Through Okonkwo's tragic story, Achebe illustrates the clash of cultures and the struggle for identity amidst the forces of change.
• Achebe's narrative presents a complex portrayal of Igbo society before and after colonial influence, challenging stereotypical representations of African societies as primitive or uncivilized.
• "Things Fall Apart" is credited with altering the global perception of African literature and narratives, offering an African perspective on colonial history.
• The novel’s title, taken from W.B. Yeats' poem "The Second Coming," symbolizes the destruction of traditional values and the disintegration of Igbo society under colonial rule.
• Achebe masterfully uses the Igbo oral tradition, proverbs, and storytelling, integrating them into the narrative to highlight the richness of Igbo culture and the tragic disruption of those traditions by colonialism.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Additional Information

• "No Longer at Ease" and "The River Between" also address colonial impacts but are not as centrally focused on Igbo society’s initial collision with British colonialism as "Things Fall Apart."
• "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie deals with the Biafran War period, distinct from the colonial themes primarily explored in "Things Fall Apart."

The correct answer is 'The enrichment of the English vocabulary with Norman French words.'

Key Points

• The Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William the Conqueror, marked the beginning of a profound influence of Norman French on the English language, which is most noticeably seen in the significant borrowing of vocabulary.
• This period, part of the Middle English era, saw the introduction of a vast number of Norman French words into the English lexicon, particularly in areas of law, art, literature, religion, and government, reflecting the dominance of the Norman ruling class.
• The incorporation of Norman French vocabulary resulted in a dual language system where English remained the language of the common people, while Norman French was the language of the courts, the clergy, and the aristocracy.
• Over time, these Norman French words became fully integrated into the English language, significantly enriching its vocabulary and leading to the linguistic complexity for which English is known today.
• The influence of Norman French also contributed to the simplification of Old English grammar, in part due to the bilingual environment that required simplification for communication between speakers of the two languages.
• This extensive borrowing from Norman French significantly diminished the Old English vocabulary's dominance and permanently transformed the English linguistic landscape.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because the decline of Celtic languages in England began prior to the Norman Conquest and was due to previous Anglo-Saxon invasions.
• Option 2: Incorrect as the introduction of the Germanic alphabet into England is associated with the earlier Anglo-Saxon period, not the Norman Conquest.
• Option 4: Incorrect because the creation of a new English syntax system was not a direct consequence of the Norman Conquest; rather, gradual changes in syntax emerged over time, influenced by various factors including but not limited to Norman French influence.

The speaker dissolves his anger with his friend by speaking about it. But when he has anger for his foe, he does not talk about it and it grows. The idea here is that if one suppresses his anger, it will fester and grow, maybe into something even worse. 

In the second stanza, the speaker illustrates how he has developed and cultivated this anger. He uses the metaphor of raising/growing a plant as a way.

a-3,b-1,c-4, d-2

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 Mistakes of a Night is the subtitle of She Stoops to Conquer, one of the best Restoration comedy by Anglo- Irish Playwright, Oliver Goldsmith. The play was first performed in London in 1773.

Primarily, the play was titled Mistakes of a Night, probably more suitable as all the events within the play take place in one long night. The title refers to the several mistakes committed by Marlow, the main character, throughout the play.

Paradise Lost is an Epic, written in blank verse by John Milton published first in 1667 and revised again in 1674 with the second edition. The epic poem constituted in 12 books. In Book 4, Milton describes the first experience of Adam and Eve after created by God.

She explains how she wandered over to a lake and was startled by her own reflection in the water. A voice led her to Adam. When Adam called her back, telling her that she was created from his side and that he claims her “other half”.

The Dark Lady of the Sonnets is a one act comic play by Bernard Shaw first premiered in 1910. The play resume the first meeting of William Shakespeare with Queen Elizabeth while he was intending to meet the Dark lady on whom his sonnets are based.

George Bernard Shaw’s The Dark Lady of the Sonnets is a fun, one act play that reconceive William Shakespeare’s and Queen Elizabeth’s first meeting. Written as an appeal to create a National Theatre in England, the short play has William is going to Whitehall palace to meet the Dark Lady to whom he addresses his sonnets of love and eventually meet Queen Elizabeth there.