
The GATE 2024 English (XH-C2) Question Paper with Answer Key PDF is available for download. The exam was successfully conducted by IISc Bangalore on February 4, 2024, in the forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. As per the students' initial reactions, the GATE 2024 English (XH-C2) Question Paper was reported as Moderate to Difficult. The Literary Theory and Criticism and Contemporary Literature sections were considered Challenging, while the Classical Literature and Linguistics sections were reported as Easy to Moderate.
Candidates can download the GATE 2024 English (XH-C2) Question Paper with Answer Key PDFs using the link below.
| GATE 2024 English (XH-C2) Question Paper with Answer Key | Check Solution |
1. If ‘=’ denotes increasing order of intensity, then the meaning of the words [simmer — seethe — smolder] is analogous to [break — raze —]. Which one of the given options is appropriate to fill the blank?
Step 1: Understanding the analogy. The words "simmer — seethe — smolder" represent an increasing order of intensity in the context of heat or tension. Similarly, "break — raze —" requires a word that signifies an increasing order of destruction. Step 2: Evaluating options. - \( \text{(1) obfuscate} \): Refers to making something unclear, unrelated to destruction. - \( \text{(2) obliterate} \): Refers to completely destroying, which fits the progression. - \( \text{(3) fracture} \): Refers to breaking, which does not show higher intensity than "raze." - \( \text{(4) fissure} \): Refers to a narrow opening or crack, which does not fit the context of destruction. Step 3: Conclusion. The most appropriate word to complete the analogy is \( \mathbf{obliterate} \), as it represents an increase in intensity after "raze." Quick Tip: For analogy problems, focus on identifying the nature and intensity of the relationship between the words to find the most fitting option.
2. In a locality, the houses are numbered in the following way: The house-numbers on one side of a road are consecutive odd integers starting from 301, while the house-numbers on the other side of the road are consecutive even numbers starting from 302. The total number of houses is the same on both sides of the road. If the difference of the sum of the house-numbers between the two sides of the road is 27, then the number of houses on each side of the road is
Step 1: Understanding the house numbering. - Odd house-numbers: \( 301, 303, 305, \dots \) (arithmetic sequence with first term \( a = 301 \) and common difference \( d = 2 \)). - Even house-numbers: \( 302, 304, 306, \dots \) (arithmetic sequence with first term \( a = 302 \) and common difference \( d = 2 \)). - Let \( n \) be the number of houses on each side. Step 2: Sum of house numbers on each side. - Sum of odd numbers: \[ S_{\text{odd}} = n \times \frac{2a + (n-1)d}{2} = n \times \frac{2(301) + (n-1)2}{2} = n \times (301 + n - 1). \] \[ S_{\text{odd}} = n \times (300 + n). \] - Sum of even numbers: \[ S_{\text{even}} = n \times \frac{2a + (n-1)d}{2} = n \times \frac{2(302) + (n-1)2}{2} = n \times (302 + n - 1). \] \[ S_{\text{even}} = n \times (301 + n). \] Step 3: Difference between sums. Given \( S_{\text{even}} - S_{\text{odd}} = 27 \), \[ n \times (301 + n) - n \times (300 + n) = 27. \] \[ n \times (301 - 300) = 27. \] \[ n = 27. \] Step 4: Conclusion. The number of houses on each side is \( \mathbf{27} \). Quick Tip: When solving arithmetic sequence problems, use the sum formula \( S_n = \frac{n}{2} [2a + (n-1)d] \) and simplify carefully to find the required value.
3. For positive integers \( p \) and \( q \), with \( \frac{p}{q} \neq 1 \), \( \left( \frac{p}{q} \right)^q = p^{\left(\frac{p}{q} - 1\right)} \). Then,
Step 1: Given equation. We are given the equation: \[ \left( \frac{p}{q} \right)^q = p^{\left(\frac{p}{q} - 1\right)}. \] Step 2: Simplify the left-hand side. \[ \left( \frac{p}{q} \right)^q = \frac{p^q}{q^q}. \] Step 3: Simplify the right-hand side. \[ p^{\left(\frac{p}{q} - 1\right)} = p^{\frac{p}{q}} \cdot p^{-1}. \] Step 4: Equating the two sides. \[ \frac{p^q}{q^q} = p^{\frac{p}{q}} \cdot p^{-1}. \] Multiply through by \( q^q \): \[ p^q = q^q \cdot p^{\frac{p}{q} - 1}. \] Step 5: Identifying the condition for equality. By symmetry of the equation, the condition \( q^p = p^q \) holds, which satisfies the given equation. Step 6: Conclusion. The correct option is \( \mathbf{(A)} \, q^p = p^q \). Quick Tip: When working with equations involving powers and fractions, simplify both sides systematically and look for symmetry to identify relationships.
4. Which one of the given options is a possible value of \( X \) in the following sequence? 3, 7, 15, \( X \), 63, 127, 255
Step 1: Understanding the sequence. The given sequence appears to follow a pattern where each term is \( 2^n - 1 \) for consecutive values of \( n \). Step 2: Verifying the pattern. - \( 3 = 2^2 - 1 \), - \( 7 = 2^3 - 1 \), - \( 15 = 2^4 - 1 \), - \( X = 2^5 - 1 = 31 \), - \( 63 = 2^6 - 1 \), - \( 127 = 2^7 - 1 \), - \( 255 = 2^8 - 1 \). Step 3: Conclusion. The missing value \( X \) is \( \mathbf{31} \). Quick Tip: When solving sequences, look for exponential or arithmetic patterns. Verify the pattern by checking all given terms.
5. On a given day, how many times will the second-hand and the minute-hand of a clock cross each other during the clock time 12:05:00 hours to 12:55:00 hours?
Step 1: Understanding the problem. The second-hand and the minute-hand of a clock cross each other exactly 60 times in one hour because the second-hand completes one full revolution in 60 seconds and the minute-hand completes one full revolution in 60 minutes. Step 2: Calculate for the given time period. From 12:05:00 to 12:55:00 is a time period of 50 minutes. During this time, the second-hand and minute-hand will cross each other 50 times. Step 3: Conclusion. The second-hand and the minute-hand will cross each other \( \mathbf{50} \) times in the given time period. Quick Tip: For problems involving clock hands, use the fact that the second-hand and minute-hand cross each other 60 times per hour to simplify calculations.
6. In the given text, the blanks are numbered (i)—(iv). Select the best match for all the blanks. From the ancient Athenian arena to the modern Olympic stadiums, athletics has the potential for a spectacle. The crowd (i) with bated breath as the Olympian artist twists his body, stretching the javelin behind him. Twelve strides in, he begins to cross-step. Six cross-steps (ii) in an abrupt stop on his left foot. As his body (iii) like a door turning on a hinge, the javelin is launched skyward at a precise angle.
Step 1: Analyze the context of each blank.
- \( \text{(i)} \): The subject is "crowd," which requires the singular verb "holds."
- \( \text{(ii)} \): The singular subject "he" requires the verb "waits."
- \( \text{(iii)} \): The action "culminates" describes the final step, but the correct tense is "culminate" based on parallel structure.
- \( \text{(iv)} \): The verb "pivots" matches the singular subject "his body."
Step 2: Conclusion. The correct sequence of words is \( \mathbf{holds, waits, culminate, pivots} \). Quick Tip: When filling blanks, focus on subject-verb agreement and the context of the sentence. Pay attention to tense consistency.
7. Three distinct sets of indistinguishable twins are to be seated at a circular table that has 8 identical chairs. Unique seating arrangements are defined by the relative positions of the people. How many unique seating arrangements are possible such that each person is sitting next to their twin?
Step 1: Understanding the arrangement. Each twin must sit next to their pair, which means the problem reduces to arranging the three pairs of twins. Step 2: Circular arrangements. In a circular arrangement, fixing one pair reduces the arrangement of the remaining pairs to \( (3-1)! = 2! = 2 \) ways. Step 3: Swapping pairs. Each pair can swap positions within itself, so there are \( 2^3 = 8 \) ways to swap the twins within the pairs. Step 4: Total arrangements. The total number of unique arrangements is: \[ 2! \times 2^3 = 2 \times 8 = 12. \] Step 5: Conclusion. The number of unique seating arrangements is \( \mathbf{12} \). Quick Tip: For circular arrangements, fix one element to simplify calculations, and account for symmetrical or indistinguishable elements to avoid overcounting.
8. The chart given below compares the Installed Capacity (MW) of four power generation technologies, T1, T2, T3, and T4, and their Electricity Generation (MWh) in a time of 1000 hours (h).

The Capacity Factor of a power generation technology is: \[ \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{\text{Electricity Generation (MWh)}}{\text{Installed Capacity (MW)} \times 1000 \, \text{(h)}}. \] Which one of the given technologies has the highest Capacity Factor?
Step 1: Understanding Capacity Factor. The capacity factor is the ratio of actual electricity generation to the maximum possible electricity generation over a given time. Step 2: Extract data from the chart. From the chart:
- T1: Electricity Generation = \( 14000 \, \text{MWh}, \, \text{Installed Capacity} = 20 \, \text{MW} \).
- T2: Electricity Generation = \( 9000 \, \text{MWh}, \, \text{Installed Capacity} = 25 \, \text{MW} \).
- T3: Electricity Generation = \( 8000 \, \text{MWh}, \, \text{Installed Capacity} = 30 \, \text{MW} \).
- T4: Electricity Generation = \( 7000 \, \text{MWh}, \, \text{Installed Capacity} = 35 \, \text{MW} \).
Step 3: Calculate the Capacity Factor for each technology. Using the formula: \[ \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{\text{Electricity Generation (MWh)}}{\text{Installed Capacity (MW)} \times 1000}. \] - T1: \( \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{14000}{20 \times 1000} = 0.7 \, \text{(or 70%)} \).
- T2: \( \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{9000}{25 \times 1000} = 0.36 \, \text{(or 36%)} \).
- T3: \( \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{8000}{30 \times 1000} = 0.267 \, \text{(or 26.7%)} \).
- T4: \( \text{Capacity Factor} = \frac{7000}{35 \times 1000} = 0.2 \, \text{(or 20%)} \).
Step 4: Conclusion. The highest Capacity Factor is for \( \mathbf{T1} \), which is \( 70% \). Quick Tip: When comparing efficiency or utilization in power systems, calculate the capacity factor to determine how effectively the available capacity is being utilized.
9. In the 4 x 4 array shown below, each cell of the first three columns has either a cross (X) or a number, as per the given rule.

Rule: The number in a cell represents the count of crosses around its immediate neighboring cells (left, right, top, bottom, diagonals). As per this rule, the maximum number of crosses possible in the empty column is:
Step 1: Understanding the rule. The number in each cell indicates the total count of crosses (X) in the surrounding eight neighboring cells. The goal is to determine the maximum possible number of crosses in the empty column based on this rule. Step 2: Analyzing the array. - Each number in the array constrains the possible placements of crosses (X) in its surrounding cells. - The maximum number of crosses in the empty column depends on the neighboring cells and their constraints. Step 3: Determining the maximum crosses. By carefully arranging crosses around the numbers while adhering to the rule, it is possible to place a maximum of 2 crosses in the empty column. Step 4: Conclusion. The maximum number of crosses possible in the empty column is \( \mathbf{2} \). Quick Tip: For problems involving arrays and constraints, systematically analyze neighboring cells and test possible configurations to maximize or minimize values as required.
10. During a half-moon phase, the Earth-Moon-Sun form a right triangle. If the Moon-Earth-Sun angle at this half-moon phase is measured to be \( 89.85^\circ \), the ratio of the Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon distances is closest to:
Step 1: Understanding the right triangle. The Earth-Moon-Sun system forms a right triangle during the half-moon phase, with the right angle at the Moon. The Moon-Earth-Sun angle is given as \( 89.85^\circ \). Step 2: Relationship between distances. Let: - \( d_{ES} \) = Earth-Sun distance, - \( d_{EM} \) = Earth-Moon distance. Using the tangent function: \[ \tan(\text{Moon-Earth-Sun angle}) = \frac{d_{EM}}{d_{ES}}. \] Step 3: Calculate the ratio. \[ \frac{d_{EM}}{d_{ES}} = \tan(89.85^\circ). \] Using the small angle approximation for \( 90^\circ - \theta \): \[ \tan(89.85^\circ) \approx \frac{1}{0.0015}. \] \[ \frac{d_{ES}}{d_{EM}} = \frac{1}{\tan(89.85^\circ)} \approx 382. \] Step 4: Conclusion. The ratio of the Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon distances is closest to \( \mathbf{382} \). Quick Tip: For problems involving angles close to \( 90^\circ \), use small angle approximations to simplify trigonometric calculations.
11. Amma’s tone in the context of the given passage is that of: For Amma, the difference between men and women was a kind of discrimination and inequality; she felt strongly about women’s rights but was not familiar with concepts like gender and patriarchy. She would have dismissed Betty Friedan because she was predominantly dealing with the problems of white middle-class women in the United States. Amma, and women of her generation, could de-link the oppression of women from the wider struggle for the liberation of human beings from class exploitation and imperialism. So Amma continued to play her role as mother and wife, but would often complain: ‘I am a doormat on which everyone wipes their emotional dirt off.’
Step 1: Analyze Amma's tone. The passage describes Amma as someone who strongly felt the inequality and discrimination between men and women and would complain about her situation as a “doormat.” This indicates dissatisfaction and objection, aligning with a tone of protest. Step 2: Evaluate options-
- (1) Compromise: Amma does not seem to accept or adjust to the situation.
- (2) Protest: Correct, as Amma voices dissatisfaction and objection.
- (3) Contentment: Incorrect, as Amma is not happy with the situation.
- (4) Resignation: Incorrect, as Amma does not seem to give up or accept without objection.
Step 3: Conclusion. Amma’s tone is best described as \( \mathbf{Protest} \). Quick Tip: In tone-based questions, focus on key words or phrases that reveal emotions like dissatisfaction, agreement, or resignation.
12. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct sequence for the following passage: I am wearing for the first time some (i) that I have never been able to wear for long at a time, as they are horribly tight. I usually put them on just before giving a lecture. The painful pressure they exert on my feet goads my oratorical capacities to their utmost. This sharp and overwhelming pain makes me sing like a nightingale or like one of those Neapolitan singers who also wear (ii) that are too tight. The visceral physical longing, the overwhelming torture provoked by my (iii), forces me to extract from words distilled and sublime truths, generalized by the supreme inquisition of the pain my (iv) suffer.
The passage clearly describes an item of clothing that causes painful pressure on the feet, which aligns with “patent-leather shoes.” The blanks “shoes” and “feet” complete the context logically. Quick Tip: Focus on contextual clues in the passage, such as physical sensations or specific actions, to fill in blanks logically.
13. The appropriate synonym for the word ‘ignite’ in the following passage will be: Spirituality must be integrated with education. Self-realization is the focus. Each one of us must become aware of our higher self. We are links of a great past to a grand future. We should ignite our dormant inner energy and let it guide our lives. The radiance of such minds embarked on constructive endeavor will bring peace, prosperity and bliss to this nation.
The word “ignite” in the context of the passage means to awaken or inspire energy, which aligns with the synonym “encourage.” Quick Tip: In synonym questions, understand the word’s meaning in the given context rather than its literal dictionary definition.
14. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
Option (2) follows the correct punctuation rules for quotes, commas, and clarity. Quick Tip: Ensure proper placement of commas and quotation marks when analyzing punctuation-related questions.
15. Fill in the blanks with the correct combination of tenses for the given sentence: Darwin’s work (i) a related effect that (ii) influenced the development of environmental politics — a ‘decentering’ of the human being.
The correct combination is “had” and “has” because Darwin’s work had an effect that still influences environmental politics today. Quick Tip: Match the tense to the time frame and ensure consistency between verbs in a sentence.
16. Which of the following options holds similar relationship as the words, ‘Music: Notes’?
Step 1: Understanding the relationship. Music is composed of notes, which are its fundamental components. Similarly, a house is made of bricks, which are its fundamental building blocks. Step 2: Evaluating options.
- (1) Water: Cold drink — Incorrect, as water is not a fundamental component of a cold drink.
- (2) Paper: Class Notes — Incorrect, as paper is not the fundamental component of class notes.
- (3) House: Bricks — Correct, as bricks are the fundamental building blocks of a house.
- (4) Graphite: Charcoal — Incorrect, as graphite and charcoal are not directly related as fundamental components.
Step 3: Conclusion. The correct answer is \( \mathbf{House: Bricks} \). Quick Tip: When solving analogy questions, identify the fundamental or core relationship between the given pair.
17. In a particular code, if “RAMAN” is written as 52 and “MAP” is written as 33, then how will you code “CLICK”?
Step 1: Analyzing the code. The code represents the sum of the positions of the letters in the alphabet. - RAMAN: \( R(18) + A(1) + M(13) + A(1) + N(14) = 52 \). - MAP: \( M(13) + A(1) + P(16) = 33 \). Step 2: Coding CLICK. For “CLICK”: \[ C(3) + L(12) + I(9) + C(3) + K(11) = 43. \] Step 3: Conclusion. The code for “CLICK” is \( \mathbf{43} \). Quick Tip: In coding problems, identify the numerical relationship between letters (e.g., position in the alphabet) and use it consistently.
18. On the basis of the statements given below, which valid assumption(s) can be made?
Statements:
1. Life has suffering.
2. Desire is the cause of suffering.
3. The end of desire is the end of suffering.
4. Desire can be reduced by following the noble eightfold path.
Assumptions:
1. Suffering is because of wants.
2. Life is not always full of suffering.
3. The eightfold path can reduce suffering.
4. Suffering is caused by life.
Step 1: Analyze the assumptions.
- (1) Suffering is because of wants: Correct, as the statements attribute suffering to desire.
- (2) Life is not always full of suffering: Correct, as the statements imply suffering ends when desire ends.
- (3) The eightfold path can reduce suffering: Correct, as the statements explicitly state this.
- (4) Suffering is caused by life: Incorrect, as suffering is attributed to desire, not life itself.
Step 2: Conclusion. The valid assumptions are \( \mathbf{Only 1, 2, \text{and} 3} \). Quick Tip: In assumption questions, focus on logical connections between the statements and the assumptions. Avoid overgeneralizations.
19. If ‘KARAMCHAND’ is coded as ‘ICPCKEFCLF,’ what should be the code of ‘CREATION’?
Step 1: Analyze the coding pattern. The code alternates between moving backward and forward in the alphabet:
- K(11) → I(9) (−2),
- A(1) → C(3) (+2),
- R(18) → P(16) (−2),
- A(1) → C(3) (+2), etc.
Step 2: Apply the same pattern to CREATION.
- C(3) → A(1) (−2),
- R(18) → T(20) (+2),
- E(5) → C(3) (−2),
- A(1) → C(3) (+2),
- T(20) → R(18) (−2),
- I(9) → K(11) (+2),
- O(15) → M(13) (−2),
- N(14) → P(16) (+2).
Step 3: Conclusion. The code for “CREATION” is \( \mathbf{ATCCRKMP} \). Quick Tip: In coding questions, identify the numerical shifts between letters and apply them consistently across the word.
20. Given an input line of numbers and words, a machine rearranges them following a particular rule in each step. Based on the given arrangement sequence, which of the following represents the position of 58 in the fourth step?
Step 1: Understand the arrangement process. - Words are rearranged alphabetically from left to right in each step, while numbers are arranged from largest to smallest starting from the right. Step 2: Analyze the input sequence.
Input: cb kb eb 58 49 23 38 jb nb gb 69 82
- Step 1: eb cb kb 58 49 23 38 jb nb gb 69 82
- Step 2: eb cb gb kb 49 23 38 jb nb 82 69 58
- Step 3: eb cb gb jb kb 23 38 nb 82 69 58 49
- Step 4: eb cb gb jb kb nb 82 69 58 49 38 23
Step 3: Determine the position of 58 in Step 4.
In Step 4, the numbers are arranged from right to left as: 82, 69, 58, 49, 38, 23.
Hence, 58 is third from the right. Quick Tip: In arrangement problems, track both word and number patterns separately. Always verify the position after each step.
21. In a certain type of code, find the code for ‘earned maximum points’ based on the given examples.
Step 1: Decode the given sentences.
- ‘they play cricket together’ → ‘mv kb lb lv’
- ‘they score maximum points’ → ‘gb b mb kv’
- ‘cricket score earned points’ → ‘mb gv kb kv’
- ‘points are earned together’ → ‘kv mv ob gv’
Step 2: Identify word-to-code mappings. - ‘points’ → kv - ‘earned’ → gv - ‘maximum’ → gb Step 3: Combine codes for ‘earned maximum points.’ The code for ‘earned maximum points’ is \( \mathbf{gv \ gb \ kv} \). Quick Tip: For coding questions, create a table to map words to their respective codes systematically.
22. Which of the statement(s) about the passage weaken(s) the argument presented?
Step 1: Identify the core argument. The passage suggests that progress in human intelligence is linked to structural brain changes rather than size. Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (1) Directly refutes the hypothesis, weakening the argument.
- (2) Does not address structural changes; irrelevant to the core argument.
- (3) Speculative and unrelated to the current progress context.
- (4) Highlights Neanderthals’ intelligence but does not refute the structural changes hypothesis.
Step 3: Conclusion. Option (1) weakens the argument most effectively. Quick Tip: In critical reasoning, focus on statements that directly counter or contradict the main argument.
23. The narrator’s use of ‘I’ in the given passage is/are:
Step 1: Analyze the passage. The narrator expresses a preference for writing about personal experiences and the lives they have encountered. This tone suggests:
- Self-consciousness (1): The narrator is aware of their limitations as a writer.
- Confessional and communicating (3): The use of "I" conveys honesty and a desire to connect with the reader.
Options (2) and (4) do not align with the tone of the passage, which is neither regretful nor egotistical. Quick Tip: In tone-related questions, pay attention to the choice of words and the overall sentiment expressed by the author.
24. Which of the following recommended action(s) seem to be appropriate with the stated problem?
Step 1: Evaluate the problem. Post-pandemic absenteeism likely stems from personal or systemic challenges. Appropriate actions:
- Counselling (2): Helps understand and address students' struggles.
- Surveys (3): Identifies the root causes of absenteeism for targeted solutions.
Disciplinary actions (1) and content changes (4) are not suitable as initial measures without understanding the underlying reasons. Quick Tip: When addressing behavioral problems, prioritize understanding and support before resorting to punitive actions.
25. Read the passage and identify the statement(s) which follow(s) from it:
Analyze the passage. The author emphasizes informing educators about brain science (1), highlighting the novelty of linking emotions with the brain (3), and using emotions as a learning strategy (4). Option (2) is incorrect as the focus is on offering insights rather than directly applying learnings. Quick Tip: Focus on keywords and key ideas from the passage to match them with the options. Avoid overinterpreting unrelated aspects.
26. If A says that his mother is the daughter of B’s mother, then how is B related to A?
Analyze the relationship.
- A’s mother is the daughter of B’s mother, making B the sibling of A’s mother.
- Depending on B’s gender, B can either be: - Uncle (1) if male, or
- Aunt (2) if female.
Quick Tip: In relationship-based questions, create a family tree to visualize connections and avoid confusion.
27. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a/an:
Analyze the poem's form. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot is considered a dramatic monologue because it features a single speaker, J. Alfred Prufrock, expressing his thoughts and feelings in a reflective and dramatic style. Quick Tip: Dramatic monologues typically involve a single speaker addressing an implied audience, revealing personal insights.
28. Match the following pairs of fictional characters with the author who created them:

Step 1: Match each character pair with the correct author.
- Phileas Fogg and Jean Passepartout appear in Jules Verne's \textit{Around the World in Eighty Days.
- Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are from Miguel de Cervantes' \textit{Don Quixote.
- Candide and Pangloss are characters from Voltaire's \textit{Candide.
- Dogberry and Verges are from William Shakespeare's \textit{Much Ado About Nothing.
Quick Tip: For matching questions, ensure familiarity with key works of major authors and their characters.
29. Which one of the following is a famous detective character created by Edgar Allan Poe?
Identify the detective. Auguste Dupin, created by Edgar Allan Poe, appears in \textit{The Murders in the Rue Morgue, \textit{The Mystery of Marie Rogêt, and \textit{The Purloined Letter, making him one of the earliest fictional detectives. Quick Tip: Edgar Allan Poe is considered the pioneer of the detective fiction genre, introducing the analytical detective Auguste Dupin.
30. “The horror! The horror!” - these are the last words of:
Analyze the quote. The phrase "The horror! The horror!" is spoken by Kurtz, a central character in Joseph Conrad's \textit{Heart of Darkness, reflecting his despair and realization of the darkness within humanity. Quick Tip: Famous last words often reflect key themes of a literary work; understanding the context helps in recognizing the speaker.
31. Eric Arthur Blair was born in Motihari, Bihar. He went on to become famous as an author of a dystopian work which introduced the terms ‘Thoughtcrime’, and ‘Doublespeak’. He wrote under the pseudonym:
Identify the pseudonym and work. Eric Arthur Blair, writing under the pseudonym George Orwell, is the author of the dystopian novel \textit{1984, which introduced terms like ‘Thoughtcrime’ and ‘Doublespeak.’ Quick Tip: Authors often use pseudonyms for a variety of reasons. Familiarity with their major works can help identify them.
32. “I started writing in Gikuyu language in 1977 after seventeen years of involvement in Afro-European literature, in my case Afro-English literature ... wherever I have gone, particularly in Europe, I have been confronted with the question: why are you now writing in Gikuyu? Why do you now write in an African language?” Identify the author of this passage:
Identify the author. Ngugi wa Thiong’o is a Kenyan author and academic who chose to write in Gikuyu, advocating for the preservation of African languages and decolonization of literature. Quick Tip: Familiarity with postcolonial literature helps identify authors who address issues of language and identity.
33. On the basis of genre, which of the following does NOT belong in this group?
Analyze the genres. The first three works are plays, while \textit{Ravan and Eddie by Kiran Nagarkar is a novel, making it the odd one out. Quick Tip: Understanding the genres of literary works helps in identifying anomalies within a group.
34. The \textit{Madwoman in the Attic}, the title of Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar’s iconic feminist examination of Victorian literature, alludes to which classic novel?
Understand the allusion. The title refers to Bertha Mason, the "madwoman" in the attic of Thornfield Hall in Charlotte Brontë’s \textit{Jane Eyre. Quick Tip: Allusions in titles often link to key themes or characters in the referenced work.
35. Agatha Christie broke a fundamental rule of detective fiction in:
Identify the rule broken. In \textit{The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Agatha Christie broke the conventional rule by making the narrator the murderer, a twist that shocked readers and critics alike. Quick Tip: Understanding the conventions of detective fiction helps in identifying when they are subverted.
36. Dorothea Brooke, Edward Casaubon, Hetty Sorel, Stephen Guest are all characters created by:
Identify the author. These characters appear in George Eliot’s novels, such as \textit{Middlemarch (Dorothea Brooke and Edward Casaubon) and \textit{Adam Bede (Hetty Sorel and Stephen Guest). Quick Tip: Familiarity with major authors and their characters helps in correctly matching them to their creators.
37. Charulata is an adaptation of which work by Rabindranath Tagore?
Identify the source work. \textit{Charulata is an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s novella \textit{The Broken Nest (\textit{Nastanirh). It explores themes of marital relationships and unspoken emotions. Quick Tip: Knowing the works of major authors and their adaptations in other media provides context for such questions.
38. Which of the following is NOT part of the Theban trilogy?
Recognize the components of the trilogy. The Theban trilogy by Sophocles consists of \textit{Oedipus Rex, \textit{Oedipus at Colonus, and \textit{Antigone. \textit{Medea, however, is a play by Euripides and unrelated to the trilogy. Quick Tip: Understanding the works of key playwrights and their thematic groupings helps in answering such questions.
39. The literary term ‘apostrophe’ denotes:
Define the term. In literature, ‘apostrophe’ refers to a figure of speech where the speaker addresses someone absent, dead, or a personified concept, such as “O Death, where is thy sting?” Quick Tip: Familiarity with literary devices and their definitions is crucial for answering such questions.
40. In the line, “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba?” “he” refers to:
Contextualize the line. In Shakespeare’s \textit{Hamlet, the line refers to an actor performing the role of Hecuba, a character from the Trojan War. It underscores Hamlet’s reflection on his own inaction. Quick Tip: Understanding the context of famous literary lines helps in identifying their references.
41. Which of the following is/are NOT based on a play by William Shakespeare?
Identify works inspired by Shakespeare.
- \textit{Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw is not based on Shakespeare but on Greek mythology.
- \textit{The Fire and the Rain by Girish Karnad is based on the Mahabharata, not Shakespeare.
- \textit{Nutshell and \textit{Throne of Blood are loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s \textit{Hamlet and \textit{Macbeth, respectively.
Quick Tip: Familiarity with Shakespeare’s works and their adaptations is key for such questions.
42. Which of the following is/are NOT composed by Kalidasa?
Identify Kalidasa’s works.
- \textit{Mrcchakatika is a Sanskrit play by Shudraka, not Kalidasa.
- \textit{Natyashastra is attributed to Bharata, not Kalidasa.
- \textit{Abhijnanashakuntalam and \textit{Meghaduta are famous works by Kalidasa.
Quick Tip: Remember the key contributions of Sanskrit playwrights and poets like Kalidasa.
43. Which of these writers is/are associated with the Progressive Writers Association?
Identify members of the Progressive Writers Association (PWA).
- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was not part of PWA, which was established in 1936.
- Ismat Chughtai, Premchand, and Rajinder Singh Bedi were prominent members.
Quick Tip: Familiarity with key movements like PWA and their members is important for such questions.
44. Which of the following novels is/are written by African-American women?
Identify authors.
- \textit{The Color Purple by Alice Walker and \textit{The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison are by African-American women.
- \textit{The Ink Black Heart is by J.K. Rowling, and \textit{My Name is Red is by Orhan Pamuk.
Quick Tip: Focus on author backgrounds and genres when identifying works.
45. Which of the following options is NOT the title of a play?
Identify titles of plays.
- \textit{Scenes from Clerical Life is a collection of stories by George Eliot, not a play.
- The other options are all well-known plays.
Quick Tip: Distinguishing between plays, novels, and short story collections is critical for such questions.
46. Match each fictional character with the author who created him:

Uriah Heep is a character created by \textit{Charles Dickens in \textit{David Copperfield. Stephen Dedalus is a character created by \textit{James Joyce in \textit{A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Bazarov is a character created by \textit{Ivan Turgenev in \textit{Fathers and Sons. Raskolnikov is a character created by \textit{Fyodor Dostoevsky in \textit{Crime and Punishment. Quick Tip: Familiarity with classic characters and their authors is important for such matching questions.
47. What do the following works have in common? \textit{Andha Yug, The Second Turn, Parva, Sarpa Satra
Analyze the common theme.
- Each of the works mentioned is based on the \textit{Mahabharata.
- \textit{Andha Yug, \textit{The Second Turn, \textit{Parva, and \textit{Sarpa Satra explore different aspects of the epic, focusing on its philosophical, historical, and narrative elements.
Quick Tip: Understanding the thematic or historical background of literary works helps in such questions.
48. Match the texts with the language they were originally written in:

Match each text with its original language.
- \textit{Waiting for a Visa was originally written in Hindi.
- \textit{The Prisons we Broke was originally written in Marathi.
- \textit{The Revenue Stamp: An Autobiography was originally written in Punjabi.
- \textit{Joothan: A Dalit's Life was originally written in English.
Quick Tip: Knowing the authors and contexts of texts can help identify their original language.
49. Match the excerpts with the texts they have been taken from:

Step 1: Match each excerpt to the correct text.
- Excerpt (a) is from \textit{Midnight’s Children.
- Excerpt (b) is from \textit{The God of Small Things.
- Excerpt (c) is from \textit{A Suitable Boy.
- Excerpt (d) is from \textit{Toba Tek Singh.
Quick Tip: Familiarity with the style and themes of major literary works can assist in accurately identifying excerpts.
50. A widely used narrative technique, it allows narrators to temporarily inhabit the consciousness of any of their characters. It is called
Free Indirect Speech is a narrative technique that blends the character’s internal thoughts with the narrator’s voice, allowing for seamless transitions into the consciousness of characters without explicitly marking the shift. Quick Tip: Understanding narrative techniques is essential for identifying their applications in literary texts.
51. Which of the following statements is true of Magic Realism?
Magic Realism is a literary style where magical elements appear in otherwise realistic settings, emphasizing the extraordinary in the mundane. Quick Tip: Familiarity with literary movements and their characteristics helps answer such questions.
52. wrote ‘Adonais: An Elegy on the Death of ' \textit{Fill in the blanks with the correct pair:
\textit{Adonais is an elegy written by Percy Bysshe Shelley mourning the death of his contemporary poet, John Keats. Quick Tip: Knowing the context and themes of famous literary works helps answer author-based questions.
53. Which of the following statements about The Scarlet Letter is/are correct?
\textit{The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 19th century, revolves around the character Hester Prynne, who is marked with the letter ‘A’ for adultery. It is not an epistolary romance, nor is it written by Nadine Gordimer. Quick Tip: Pay attention to the time period, themes, and authorship of literary classics to answer such questions correctly.
54. “[...] I mean negative capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason [- . -]-3‘.’ Based on this statement, which of the following options is/are correct?
Negative capability, as introduced by John Keats, emphasizes the ability to embrace uncertainties and ambiguities without seeking definitive answers or resolutions. It involves finding value in partial knowledge and being comfortable with unresolved mysteries. Quick Tip: Understanding literary terms like "negative capability" requires familiarity with the context in which they were introduced.
55. Virginia Woolf wrote in “Professions for Women™”: “You have won rooms of your own in the house hitherto exclusively owned by men. You are able, though not without great labour and effort, to pay the rent. You are earning your five hundred pounds a year. But this freedom is only a beginning; the room is your own, but it is still bare. It has to be furnished; it has to be decorated; it has to be shared. How are you going to furnish it, how are you going to decorate it? With whom are you going to share it, and upon what terms?” Based on this passage, which of the following inferences is/are correct?
Woolf’s metaphor of a “room” signifies women’s newfound freedom and economic independence. However, she emphasizes that this is just the starting point, as there is still work to be done to fully realize equality and autonomy. The mention of historical struggle underscores the difficulty of achieving this progress. She does not, however, suggest that women should only live with other women. Quick Tip: Analyzing metaphors in context helps derive deeper inferences from literary works.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(A) Incorrect: Rasa is not a way of categorizing texts by genre; rather, it refers to the aesthetic experience or emotional essence that a work of art evokes. (B) Correct: Abhinavagupta stated that Rasa is best experienced in a collective setting where the audience engages emotionally in unison with the performance. (C) Correct: Rasa is considered a purely aesthetic experience distinct from real-life emotions (bhavas). It is meant to be enjoyed artistically rather than replicating real emotional states. (D) Incorrect: Rasa is not limited to performances like drama and dance; it can be evoked through poetry, literature, music, and other forms of art. Quick Tip: Understanding Rasa requires distinguishing it from ordinary emotions. It is a refined, aesthetic experience cultivated through artistic expression.
57. “Lear cries out ‘you are men of stones’ as Cordelia hangs from a broken wall.”
I step out into Chandni Chowk, a street once
strewn with jasmine flowers
for the Empress and the royal women
who bought perfumes from Isfahan,
fabrics from Dacca, essence from Kabul,
glass bangles from Agra.
Beggars now live here in tombs
of unknown nobles and forgotten saints
while hawkers sell combs and mirrors
outside a Sikh temple. Across the street,
a theater is showing a Bombay spectacular.
I think of Zafar, poet and Emperor,
being led through this street
by British soldiers, his feet in chains,
to watch his sons hanged.
In exile he wrote:
‘Unfortunate Zafar
spent half his life in hope,
the other half waiting.
He begs for two yards of Delhi for burial.’
He was exiled to Burma, buried in Rangoon.”
Which of the following ideas is/are conveyed by this poem?
The poem reflects on the enduring historical presence of Delhi, juxtaposing its imperial past with its present. It conveys an exile’s profound sense of loss, particularly through the lament of Zafar, who longs for burial in Delhi while in exile. Additionally, it emphasizes how history pervades modern life, with remnants of the past visible in the city's streets and landmarks. Quick Tip: While analyzing poetry, consider the interplay between historical references and emotional undertones to understand layered meanings.
58. Which of the following statements is/are true of these novels:
\textit{Anna Karenina, Dead Souls, Crime and Punishment, Fathers and Sons.
All four novels were authored by Russian writers, including Tolstoy, Gogol, Dostoevsky, and Turgenev, and were written during the 19th century. However, not all have women as central protagonists, and only some explore socially transgressive romantic relationships. Quick Tip: Knowing the authors, periods, and central themes of major literary works is crucial for identifying commonalities and distinctions.
59. Extract: \begin{quote ``[...] in so far as the academic discourse of history – that is, ‘history’ as a discourse produced at the institutional site of the university – is concerned, ‘Europe’ remains the sovereign, theoretical subject of all histories, including the ones we call ‘Indian,’ ‘Chinese,’ ‘Kenyan,’ and so on. There is a peculiar way in which all these other histories tend to become variations on a master narrative that could be called ‘the history of Europe.’ In this sense, ‘Indian’ history itself is in a position of subalternity; one can only articulate subaltern subject positions in the name of this history.'' \end{quote Which of the following options is/are implied by the passage above?
The passage highlights the dominance of Eurocentric perspectives in historical writing, arguing that even histories of postcolonial societies are written in relation to Europe as the master narrative. It does not suggest the irrelevance of these histories but rather the challenge of articulating them independently within the existing frameworks. Quick Tip: Understanding postcolonial critiques of Eurocentrism in history requires attention to the framing of narratives and their underlying assumptions.
60. Extract: \begin{quote ``What if, in order to save some humans lost in their language, in order to deliver the humans themselves, at the expense of their language, it was better to renounce the language, at least to renounce the best conditions for survival ‘at all costs’ for the idiom? And what if some humans were more worth saving than their language, under circumstances where, alas, one needed to choose between them? For we are living in a period in which the question at times arises. Today, on this earth of humans, certain people must yield to the homo-hegemony of dominant languages. They must learn the language of the masters, of capital and machines; they must lose their idiom in order to survive or live better.'' \end{quote On the basis of this passage, which of the following options is/are correct?
The passage highlights the dilemma faced by marginalized groups who must abandon their native languages to survive economically in a world dominated by "languages of the masters." The writer expresses sorrow about this linguistic loss and critiques the hegemony of dominant languages. However, the passage does not advocate renouncing native languages universally or suggest that there should be only one language. Quick Tip: Analyze key phrases to discern whether the writer is critiquing, lamenting, or advocating for an idea.
61. Politics
\textit{--by William Butler Yeats ‘In our time the destiny of man presents its meanings in political terms.’
\textit{--Thomas Mann \begin{verse “How can I, that girl standing there,
My attention fix
On Roman or on Russian
Or on Spanish politics,
Yet here’s a travelled man that knows
What he talks about,
And there’s a politician
That has both read and thought,
And maybe what they say is true
Of war and war’s alarms,
But O that I were young again
And held her in my arms.” \end{verse Which of the following options is/are implied by this poem?
The poem contrasts intellectual preoccupations, such as politics, with the speaker's yearning for the sensual and emotional experiences of youth. The speaker reflects on how physical desire persists with age and implies that such desires may conflict with more cerebral concerns, like politics. Quick Tip: Poems often juxtapose different human concerns; identify contrasts to infer deeper meanings.
62. ``Although feminist philosophers have traditionally sought to show how the body is figured as feminine, or how women have been associated with materiality (whether inert – always already dead – or fecund – ever-living and procreative) where men have been associated with the principle of rational mastery, Irigaray wants to argue that in fact the feminine is precisely what is excluded in and by such a binary opposition. In this sense, when and where women are represented within this economy is precisely the site of their erasure.'' Which of the following options is/are implied by this passage?
The passage highlights Irigaray’s critique of traditional feminist philosophy and her focus on how binary oppositions, such as mind/body, erase the feminine. She does not replicate earlier feminist stances but instead questions the assumptions underpinning these binaries. The passage also emphasizes her concern about the erasure of women in such frameworks, disproving option (4). Quick Tip: Pay attention to key critiques and arguments made by philosophers to infer their unique contributions.
63. \begin{verse ``I like a look of Agony,
Because I know it’s true –
Men do not sham Convulsion,
Nor simulate, a Throe –
The eyes glaze once – and that is Death –
Impossible to feign
The Beads upon the Forehead
By homely Anguish strung.'' \end{verse Which of the following options is/are implied by this poem?
The poem explores the raw and undeniable reality of agony, emphasizing its physical manifestations, such as glazed eyes and beads of sweat. These details highlight that agony cannot be easily faked, making options (1) and (4) correct. The poem does not suggest that the speaker finds joy in others’ suffering or that strong people are immune to painful deaths. Quick Tip: Focus on imagery and tone in poetry to understand the speaker’s perspective and implied meanings.
64. ``We dwell with satisfaction upon the poet’s difference from his predecessors, especially his immediate predecessors; [...]. Whereas if we approach a poet without this prejudice we shall often find that not only the best, but the most individual parts of his works may be those in which the dead poets, his ancestors, assert their immortality most vigorously.'' Which of the following options is/are implied by this excerpt?
The excerpt discusses how the individuality of a poet’s work often stems from their connection to past poets and traditions. It challenges the notion that originality is solely about being different and asserts that the past remains influential in contemporary poetry. Option (3) is incorrect as the passage does not claim there is no difference between old and new poems. Quick Tip: Consider the relationship between tradition and innovation in literature to answer such questions.
65. Which factor(s) led to the rise and popularity of the novel in England?
The rise of literacy, the spread of printing presses, and the emergence of the bourgeoisie as a reading public were significant factors in the popularity of the novel in England. Option (3) is incorrect as the migration of Italian intellectuals was not a key factor in this context. Quick Tip: Understanding the historical and social contexts of literary movements can help identify key contributing factors.
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