➤ In which district of H.P. is Kunt Bhayog Lake?
- Kullu
- Mandi
- Sirmour
- Chamba
Kunt Bhayog Lake is situated in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, known for its serene beauty and natural surroundings.
➤ Which of the following is a tributary of the Beas River?
- Binwa
- Neogal
- Spin
- All of these
All listed rivers—Binwa, Neogal, and Spin—are tributaries of the Beas River, contributing to its flow and regional water resources.
➤ Which pass joins Chamba and Bhattiyat?
- Padre
- Dulchi
- Bhubu
- Basodan
The Basodan Pass connects Chamba with Bhattiyat, facilitating movement and trade between these regions.
➤ In which district of H.P. is Kardang Gompa?
- Kullu
- Kinnaur
- Lahaul-Spiti
- Chamba
Kardang Gompa is located in the Lahaul-Spiti district, a prominent Buddhist monastery known for its cultural and religious significance.
➤ Near which town is Tundah sanctuary?
- Chamba
- Baijnath
- Nadaun
- Chintpurni
The Tundah Sanctuary is located near Chamba, providing a protected area for diverse flora and fauna.
➤ At which place in Hamirpur district of H.P. there is a Sheep Breeding Farm?
- Bhoranj
- Rail
- Rangus
- Tal
The Sheep Breeding Farm is situated in Tal, Hamirpur district, specializing in the breeding and management of sheep.
➤ For which game did Rajiv Nayyar get Parshuram Award in 1997?
- Hockey
- Volleyball
- Cricket
- Athletics
Rajiv Nayyar received the Parshuram Award in 1997 for his outstanding achievements in cricket.
➤ In which region of H.P. is Andhra Hydel Project?
- Theog
- Chopal
- Rohru
- Kotkhai
The Andhra Hydel Project is located in the Rohru region, contributing to the region’s hydroelectric power generation.
➤ Who founded the Guler princely state?
- Rattan Chand
- Nand Chand
- Manj Chand
- Hari Chand
The Guler princely state was founded by Hari Chand, establishing a significant historical state in Himachal Pradesh.
➤ Who was the Speaker of H.P. Vidhan Sabha in 1952?
- Krishan Chander
- Des raj Mahajan
- Jaiwant Ram
- Vidya Dhar
Jaiwant Ram served as the Speaker of the H.P. Vidhan Sabha in 1952, playing a crucial role in the legislative process.
➤ To be elected as Vice President of India the age of a person must not be less than….,….
- 50 years
- 45 years
- 40 years
- 35 years
According to the Indian Constitution, a person must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for the office of the Vice President of India.
➤ In which state of India is the Hampi group of monuments?
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
The Hampi group of monuments is located in Karnataka and is renowned for its historical and architectural significance.
➤ Where is the Indian Military Academy?
- Kharagwasla
- Gaya
- Dehradun
- Hyderabad
The Indian Military Academy is situated in Dehradun, serving as a premier institution for the training of military officers.
➤ In which state of India is the Munda tribe mainly found?
- Manipur
- Bihar
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
The Munda tribe is predominantly found in Bihar, with a rich cultural heritage and traditional practices.
➤ By which amendment of the Indian Constitution was the re-organization of states done in 1956?
- 3rd
- 5th
- 7th
- 9th
The re-organization of states in 1956 was carried out by the 7th Amendment of the Indian Constitution, restructuring the boundaries and governance of states.
➤ Who won the 2019 Nobel Prize for Peace?
- Peter Handkey
- Abiy Ahmed
- Michel Mayor
- Willam Kaelin
Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, won the 2019 Nobel Prize for Peace for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation.
➤ Near which river is the Paris city of France?
- Rhine
- Danube
- Thames
- Seine
Paris, the capital city of France, is situated near the Seine River, which flows through the heart of the city.
➤ To which country did Isaac Newton belong?
- Germany
- Poland
- England
- France
Isaac Newton, the renowned physicist and mathematician, was from England, where he made significant contributions to science.
➤ Which is the hottest planet?
- Jupiter
- Venus
- Mercury
- Mars
Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system due to its thick atmosphere that traps heat through the greenhouse effect.
➤ Near which river is the Lothal Indus valley Civilization site?
- Ghaggar
- Indus
- Bhogwa
- Hindan
The Lothal site of the Indus Valley Civilization is located near the Bhogwa River, known for its historical significance in ancient urban planning.
➤ In English verse, an Alexandrine is a line of
- Four iambic feet
- Six iambic feet
- Four trochaic feet
- Six dactylic feet
An Alexandrine in English verse consists of six iambic feet, providing a rhythmic structure that is often used in classical poetry.
➤ John Keats’ poem Hyperion presents the
- Fall of the sun-god Hyperion
- Fall of Apollo
- Quarrel of Hyperion with the Pole Star
- Relationship of the sun god and moon goddess
John Keats’ poem “Hyperion” deals with the fall of the sun-god Hyperion, exploring themes of change and the fall of deities.
➤ The acclaimed book Tales from Shakespeare was written by
- P B Shelley and Mary Shelley
- Charles and Mary Lamb
- William Hazlitt
- James Henry Leigh Hunt
“Tales from Shakespeare” was written by Charles and Mary Lamb, aimed at making Shakespeare’s plays accessible to younger readers.
➤ Northanger Abbey and Persuasion are novels by
- Frances Burney
- Maria Edgeworth
- Jane Austen
- Frances Trollope
Jane Austen is the author of “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion,” both of which are celebrated novels in English literature.
➤ Mrs. Gaskell was the biographer of
- The three Bronte sisters
- Emily Bronte
- Anne Bronte
- Charlotte Bronte
Mrs. Gaskell wrote a biography of Charlotte Bronte, providing insight into the life of this notable author.
➤ The epic Poem Aeneid was composed by
- Horace
- Virgil
- Dante
- Sophocles
The epic poem “Aeneid” was composed by Virgil, a significant work in Roman literature that chronicles the adventures of Aeneas.
➤ Which of the following, as per the Iliad, did not participate in the war of Troy due to old age:
- Priam
- Nestor
- Apollo
- Odysseus
According to the Iliad, Priam did not participate in the Trojan War due to his old age, while others like Nestor did.
➤ Which of the following books of Salman Rushdie was banned in India due to its controversial subject matter?
- Shame
- The Ground Beneath her Feet
- The Satanic Verses
- Quichotte
Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” was banned in India due to its controversial subject matter, which led to significant political and social debate.
➤ Who among the following women poets is known for her bold portrayal of female sexuality in her creative writings?
- Toru Dutt
- Sarojini Naidu
- Kamala Das
- Amrita Pritam
Kamala Das is known for her bold portrayal of female sexuality and personal experiences in her poetry, making significant contributions to Indian literature.
➤ Which of the following Indian playwrights passed away, aged 81, in June 2019?
- Mahesh Dattani
- Vijay Tendulkar
- Badal Sarkar
- Girish Karnad
Girish Karnad, a prominent Indian playwright, passed away in June 2019 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of influential works in theater.
➤ The Interpretation of Dreams was written by
- Carl Sagan
- Carl Jung
- Sigmund Freud
- Jane Austen
Sigmund Freud wrote “The Interpretation of Dreams,” a foundational text in psychoanalysis that explores the meaning of dreams and their significance.
➤ ‘Jataka Stories’ in Buddhist literature narrativise
- Human belief in the supernatural phenomenon
- The past lives of the Buddha
- The Human-animal interdependence
- Tantric practices among believers of Buddhism
The ‘Jataka Stories’ narrate the past lives of the Buddha, illustrating moral lessons through various incarnations and experiences.
➤ In the utterance, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth,’ the word ‘smooth’ is
- An adverb
- An adjective
- A noun
- A verb
In the phrase ‘The course of true love never did run smooth,’ the word ‘smooth’ functions as an adverb, describing how the course of true love is never easy.
➤ Some famous 17th Century English poets well-known for employing conceits for their poetic imagery are known as
- Rhetoricians
- Pedantic poets
- Pastoralists
- Metaphysical poets
The term ‘Metaphysical poets’ refers to 17th-century English poets known for their complex imagery and use of conceits in their work.
➤ ‘Cockney School of Poetry’ an expression used for some English poets like John Keats, William Hazlitt. P B Shelley was
- An expression of unconcern
- A phrase endorsing their contribution to poetry
- An expression of endearment
- A derisive term
‘Cockney School of Poetry’ is a derisive term used to describe a group of poets including John Keats and others, often critiqued for their perceived lack of sophistication.
➤ ‘Georgian Poetry’ in English stands for
- The poetry of the latter half of the 16th century
- The poetry of the initial decades of the 20th Century
- Poetry eulogizing King George
- Poetry criticizing King George
‘Georgian Poetry’ refers to the poetry of the early 20th century, associated with the reign of King George V and characterized by a particular style and thematic focus.
➤ Great Expectations poetic Expressions is the title of a well-known
- Novel
- Poem
- Drama
- Farce
‘Great Expectations’ is a famous novel by Charles Dickens, not a poem or drama, depicting the life and growth of the protagonist Pip.
➤ The oft-quoted Shakespearean poetic expression ‘Blow, blow, thou winter wind…’ occurs in his play
- Hamlet
- The Tempest
- As You Like It
- King Lear
The line ‘Blow, blow, thou winter wind…’ is from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It,” known for its lyrical and reflective quality.
➤ The term ‘Campus Novel’ refers to
- A fictional work describing life in an educational institution
- A fictional work written by a lecturer
- A novel about university life
- A novel depicting life in a residential campus
A ‘Campus Novel’ is a genre of fiction that focuses on life within a university or educational setting, exploring academic and social themes.
➤ The term ‘Catharsis’ relates primarily to the genre of
- Epic
- Poetry
- Comedy
- Tragedy
‘Catharsis’ is a term primarily related to tragedy, referring to the emotional release experienced by the audience through the dramatic unfolding of the play.
➤ ‘Deconstruction’ as applied in literary studies was introduced by
- Jacques Derrida
- Roland Barthes
- Ferdinand de Saussure
- John Locke
‘Deconstruction’ is a critical theory introduced by Jacques Derrida, focusing on the inherent instability of meaning in texts and the challenge to traditional interpretations.
➤ The word ‘baroque’ in aesthetic studies refers to
- Formal language
- Ornate details
- Representation of barbarism
- A vivid pictorial sketch
The term ‘baroque’ describes an artistic style characterized by elaborate and ornate details, often seen in architecture and art from the 17th century.
➤ The word ‘bucolic’ relates to
- The pleasantness of life in the countryside
- One’s unhealthy personal habits
- A lonely and melancholic existence
- An active lifestyle full of enthusiasm
‘Bucolic’ pertains to the idyllic and pleasant aspects of rural life, often depicted in poetry and literature.
➤ The word ‘dirge’ belongs to the literary category of
- Romance
- Slapstick comedy
- Epic theatre
- Elegiac poetry
A ‘dirge’ is a type of elegiac poetry, specifically a mournful or lamenting song or poem typically performed at funerals.
➤ The expression ‘poetic licence’ stands for
- Grant of official permission to publish poetry
- Insertion of poetic phrases in fictional works
- Liberty available to poets to fiddle with language and concepts
- The routine creative urge in a poet
‘Poetic licence’ refers to the freedom poets have to deviate from conventional language and rules to achieve artistic effect.
➤ The three great philosophers Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates were bound to one another in a teacher-taught relationship. Pick up the sequence of senior to junior among them:
- Plato > Socrates > Aristotle
- Socrates > Plato > Aristotle
- Aristotle > Socrates > Plato
- Socrates > Aristotle > Plato
Socrates taught Plato, who then taught Aristotle, establishing a clear line of philosophical succession.
➤ The word ‘Syntax’ stands for
- Grammatical relations between words
- Metaphorical extensions of words and phrases
- Features of prosody
- The domain of semantics
‘Syntax’ refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, focusing on grammatical structure.
➤ The word ‘Collocation’ means
- Use of bombastic words in the language
- Language embellished with unusual expressions
- Speech aiming to milk listeners emotionally
- The habitual juxtaposition of words in one’s speech
‘Collocation’ denotes the frequent combination of words that naturally occur together in a language, such as ‘make a decision’ or ‘fast food.’
➤ ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing’ is a poetic coinage by
- John Dryden
- Alexander Pope
- John Ruskin
- George Bernard Shaw
The phrase ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing’ is from Alexander Pope’s “An Essay on Criticism,” highlighting the pitfalls of superficial knowledge.
➤ The phrase ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ in literary context was conceptualized by
- S T Coleridge
- Matthew Arnold
- S. Eliot
- George Eliot
S. T. Coleridge introduced the concept of ‘willing suspension of disbelief,’ which refers to the reader’s acceptance of fictional elements in literature as reality for the sake of enjoyment.
➤ Of the following poets, which one is reckoned as a war poet
- Philip Larkin
- Margaret Atwood
- Sylvia Plath
- Wilfred Owen
Wilfred Owen is renowned as a war poet for his vivid and poignant depictions of the First World War and its effects.
➤ Which pair of authors, from the given ones, has used the phrase ‘Things apart’ in their literary output:
- August Wilson and John Wain
- WB Yeats and Chinua Achebe
- Chinua Achebe and John Nash
- WB Yeats and HD Thoreau
Both W.B. Yeats and Chinua Achebe have used the phrase ‘Things apart’ in their works, with Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” being particularly notable.
➤ Which of the following poets went on revising and republishing her/his magnum opus, throughout her/his life
- Walt Whitman
- Margaret Avison
- Michael Ondaatje
- Ezra Pound
Walt Whitman is known for continuously revising and republishing his magnum opus, “Leaves of Grass,” throughout his life to refine and expand it.
➤ Quentin Compson is a fictional character by
- Ernest Hemingway
- Toni Morrison
- William Faulkner
- James Baldwin
Quentin Compson is a character created by William Faulkner, appearing in his novels such as “The Sound and the Fury” and “Absalom, Absalom!”
➤ American poet Sylvia Plath married which of the following British poets
- Langston Hughes
- Dylan Thomas
- Ted Hughes
- John Updike
Sylvia Plath was married to Ted Hughes, another prominent British poet, and their relationship was influential in both of their literary careers.
➤ Samuel Richardson wrote Pamela in
- Picaresque form
- Epistolary form
- Elegiac form
- Nostalgic form
Samuel Richardson’s “Pamela” is written in the epistolary form, consisting of letters written by the protagonist.
➤ Which of the following novels is written in poetic form
- The Golden Gate
- Grimus
- Sea of Poppies
- The Last Burden
‘The Golden Gate’ by Vikram Seth is written in a poetic form, specifically in verse, making it a unique novel in this format.
➤ Vanity of Human Wishes by Samuel Johnson is a
- Satire
- Farce
- Mock epic
- Lampoon
‘Vanity of Human Wishes’ by Samuel Johnson is a satire that explores the futility of human ambitions and desires.
➤ Wealth of Nations, a well-known treatise on political economy, was authored by
- John Locke
- Adam Smith
- Thomas Hobbes
- Thomas Reid
‘Wealth of Nations,’ authored by Adam Smith, is a foundational work in political economy that discusses the principles of free market economics.
➤ In the poetic line ‘The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,’ the metric foot is iambic …………..
- Trimester
- Tetrameter
- Pentameter
- Hexameter
The line ‘The curfew tolls the knell of parting day’ is written in iambic pentameter, a common metrical pattern in English poetry.
➤ The quartet of romantic poets Shelley, Blake, Byron, and Wordsworth form the following age-wise sequence from senior-most to junior-most:
- Wordsworth > Blake > Shelley > Byron
- Byron > Blake > Wordsworth > Shelley
- Shelley > Byron > Blake > Wordsworth
- Blake > Wordsworth > Byron > Shelley
William Blake is the earliest, followed by William Wordsworth, George Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley as the youngest of these poets.
➤ Euripides’ notable contribution to Greek theatre was
- His tongue-in-cheek style
- His portrayal of feminine psychology
- His foregrounding of slaves’ psychology
- His introduction of characters alien to Greek culture
Euripides is known for his deep exploration of feminine psychology, offering complex and nuanced portrayals of women in his plays.
➤ Which of the following novels contains epical proportions?
- Lord of the Flies
- The Mayor of Casterbridge
- Hurry on Down
- Tom Jones
‘Tom Jones’ by Henry Fielding is known for its epic scope, with a broad and detailed narrative covering the protagonist’s adventures and misadventures.
➤ Narratology is a branch of literary criticism dealing with
- Philosophical undercurrents of meaning
- Pragmatics in praxis in literary writings
- The form and function of narratives, including themes, conventions and symbols
- A study of the convention of poetic license indicative of an author’s creative fecundity
Narratology examines the structure and function of narratives, focusing on how stories are constructed and the conventions used in storytelling.
➤ Jimmy Porter is the protagonist of a play by
- David Storey
- Harold Pinter
- Samuel Beckett
- John Osborne
Jimmy Porter is the central character in John Osborne’s play “Look Back in Anger,” a key work in British theatre.
➤ We hate poetry that has a palpable design upon us. This statement was made by
- William Wordsworth
- William Congreve
- John Keats
- In no creative control
John Keats expressed this sentiment, criticizing poetry that overtly seeks to manipulate or impose itself on the reader.
➤ Pastor Manders is a well-known character of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts, of whom the author is
- Highly appreciative
- Severely critical
- Somewhat tentative
- In no creative control
Henrik Ibsen is notably critical of Pastor Manders in “Ghosts,” highlighting the character’s moral rigidity and hypocrisy.
➤ Miss Julie, a play by August Strindberg, is a
- Morality play
- Tragedy
- Comedy
- Tragic-comedy
‘Miss Julie’ by August Strindberg is a tragedy that explores themes of class, gender, and power dynamics.
➤ Michel Foucault was a
- French philosopher
- Bavarian critic
- Hungarian sociologist
- German psychologist
Michel Foucault was a prominent French philosopher known for his critical studies on power, knowledge, and social institutions.
➤ The Old Testament is a repository of the religious tenets of
- Jews
- Protestants
- Presbyterians
- Gentiles
The Old Testament forms a central part of the Jewish religious tradition, containing foundational texts and laws.
➤ A representative English classroom in a village school in India is not expected to contain students of
- Diverse backgrounds
- A cross-section of society
- Meager social means
- A homogenous social spectrum
A village school in India typically reflects a diverse cross-section of society rather than a homogenous group.
➤ ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,’ is an English
- Idiom
- Phrase
- Proverb
- Phrasal verb
This phrase is a proverb that expresses the burdens and responsibilities that come with power and leadership.
➤ The word ‘helter-skelter’ is
- A noun
- A verb
- Both a noun and verb
- Both an adjective and adverb
‘Helter-skelter’ can function as both an adjective and adverb, describing chaotic or disorderly situations.
➤ An oxymoron is a/an
- Person who at times behaves foolishly
- Mammal with ape-like characteristics
- Figure of speech containing semantic contradictions
- Area dominated by moronic Cyclopes
An oxymoron is a figure of speech where contradictory terms appear together, like ‘bittersweet’ or ‘deafening silence.’
➤ Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus is a play concerned with
- Humanity unbound from the shackles of slavery
- The benevolent rule of Zeus over gods and humans alike
- The spinelessness of humanity
- A streak of conformism among affluent sections of society
‘Prometheus Bound’ explores themes of defiance and the quest for freedom, focusing on Prometheus’s rebellion against divine authority.
➤ The message of the play The Pot of Gold by Plautus is about
- Aspiration
- Contentment
- Avarice
- Sloth
‘The Pot of Gold’ by Plautus deals with the consequences of greed and the value of contentment.
➤ Who of the following is reckoned as the creator of Comedy of Humours in English?
- Thomas Kyd
- Thomas Nash
- Ben Okri
- Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson is known for developing the Comedy of Humours, a genre that explores human character types through comedic exaggeration.
➤ Samson Agonistes is Milton’s
- Magnum opus
- Barely disguised spiritual autobiography
- Cerebral revenge against man’s ingratitude
- Fanciful depiction of human notions of virtue
‘Samson Agonistes’ by John Milton is often seen as a spiritual autobiography, reflecting Milton’s own struggles and reflections on personal faith.
➤ ‘I never let my schooling interfere with my education’. Is a statement by
- Tennessee Williams
- Mulk Raj Anand
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Mark Twain
This statement is attributed to Mark Twain, emphasizing the distinction between formal schooling and genuine learning.
➤ A limerick is a
- Long of serious intent by a young poet
- Short play having frivolous content
- Short poem, generally anonymous, of ribald intent
- A politically loaded story of satirical nature
A limerick is a short, often humorous poem with a distinctive rhythm and rhyme scheme, typically written in five lines.
➤ Abraham Cowley, William Temple, and Jeremy Collier were
- Essayists of the neoclassical era
- Minor poets of the Elizabethan era
- Literary critics who were Samuel Johnson’s predecessors
- Victorian era playwrights whose works were overshadowed by the rise of the novel
Abraham Cowley, William Temple, and Jeremy Collier were prominent essayists in the neoclassical period, known for their contributions to essay writing.
➤ The two winning novels of the 2019 Booker Prize are
- City of Girls and The Blind Assassin
- The Testaments and Girl, Woman, Other
- The Handmaid’s Tale and Three Women
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Gingerbread
The 2019 Booker Prize was awarded to ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood and ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernardine Evaristo.
➤ Girish Karnad’s plays explore ……………… in the context of contemporary Indian reality
- Religion and philosophy
- Caste and gender
- Psychology and sociology
- Folklore and mythology
Girish Karnad’s plays often delve into themes of folklore and mythology, using these elements to comment on modern Indian society.
➤ ‘No career, no name, no position, no fortune, no past, no future, no anything’. This statement occurs in the novel:
- The Great Gatsby
- Catch-22
- The Portrait of a Lady
- The Old Man and the Sea
This quote is from Henry James’s ‘The Portrait of a Lady,’ highlighting the protagonist’s existential and social dilemmas.
➤ Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man:
- Projects the glory of Victory at whatever cost in war
- Makes an adverse commentary on war and violence
- Brings forth the heroic qualities of its protagonist
- Talks of man’s essential nobility
Shaw’s play ‘Arms and the Man’ offers a satirical critique of war and its romanticization, focusing on the absurdities and horrors of conflict.
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