UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 11

Which of the following are true in the context of Jonathan Swift?

A. He was born in Dublin and studied at Kilkenny Grammar School and Trinity College, Dublin
B. He co-authored a book with Samuel Johnson
C. He was ordained in the Church of Ireland in 1695
D. He was a member of Kit-Cat Club
E. He wrote the sensational novel Lady Audley's Secret

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 4. A and C

Jonathan Swift, using the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff, was an Anglo-Irish author born on November 30, 1667, in Dublin, Ireland, and died on October 19, 1745, in Dublin. He is widely regarded as the foremost prose satirist in the English language, known for his works such as Gulliver's Travels (1726), A Tale of a Tub (1704), and "A Modest Proposal" (1729).

Temple was engaged in writing his memoirs and preparing some of his essays for publication, and he had Swift act as a kind of secretary. During his residence at Moor Park, Swift twice returned to Ireland, and during the second of these visits, he took orders in the Anglican church, being ordained priest in January 1695. Additionally, Swift formed connections with individuals like Esther Johnson (known as Stella), the daughter of Temple's housekeeper. In 1692, through Temple's assistance, Swift received an M.A. degree from the University of Oxford.

Swift maintained connections with notable figures, including Alexander Pope, with whom he was part of the Scriblerus Club. Pope remained an important contact for Swift, and their correspondence continued to link him to England.

Gower then asked a friend of Jonathan Swift to plead with Swift to use his influence at Trinity College Dublin to have a master's degree awarded to Johnson, in the hope that this could then be used to justify an MA from Oxford, but Swift refused to act on Johnson's behalf.

Samuel Johnson, in his work Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779–81), provided biographies and critical evaluations of various poets, including Swift. However, Johnson's compilation has been criticised for its negative assessment of Swift's works, such as Lycidas by John Milton and the Metaphysical style in the life of Abraham Cowley.

Other Explanations:

Mary Elizabeth Braddon, her novel Lady Audley's Secret (1862) achieved great success as a sensational novel, characterised by accidental bigamy and themes that were popular in the early 1860s.

The Kit-Cat Club, also known as the Kit Kat Club, was a prominent English club during the early 18th century. Comprised of devoted Whigs, its membership included notable writers such as William Congreve, John Locke, Sir John Vanbrugh, and Joseph Addison...

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 12

Which of the following were written by Thomas Love Peacock?

A. Headlong Hall
B. Nightmare Abbey
C. Imaginary Conversations
D. The Spirit of the Age
E. Specimens of the English Dramatic Poets who Lived about the Time of Shakespeare

Choose the Correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 1. A and B

Headlong Hall is a novella written by Thomas Love Peacock in 1815 and published in 1816. It humorously portrays a group of eccentric characters, each obsessed with a singular passion, and satirises societal interactions and conversations. The story takes place on the Welsh country estate of Squire Harry Headlong Ap-Rhaiader, Esq.

Nightmare Abbey, published in 1818, is a satirical novella by Thomas Love Peacock that playfully mocks contemporary literary trends.

Imaginary Conversations, written by Walter Savage Landor, is a renowned collection of prose that began in 1823 and was published in five volumes.

The Spirit of the Age, published in 1825, is a collection of character sketches by William Hazlitt, an influential essayist and critic of the early 19th century.

In 1808, Charles Lamb compiled Specimens of the English Dramatic Poets Who Lived About the Time of Shakespeare, featuring extracts from older playwrights along with his critical assessments.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 13

Which among the following was NOT written by Thomas Carlyle?

Answer: 3. The Stones of Venice

"The Stones of Venice" is a comprehensive work on Venetian art and architecture written by the English art historian John Ruskin. Originally published in three volumes from 1851 to 1853, this treatise delves into a meticulous examination of Venetian architecture.

Other Explanations:

Here is a chronological list of works by Thomas Carlyle along with their publication dates:

  • German Romance: Translations from the German (1827)
  • Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels (1824)
  • The Life of Friedrich Schiller (1825)
  • Sartor Resartus (1831)
  • The French Revolution: A History (1837)
  • On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (1841)
  • Past and Present (1843)
  • Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches (1845)
  • The Life of John Sterling (1851)
  • Latter-Day Pamphlets (1850)
  • History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great (1858–1865)

Carlyle published early thoughts on the philosophy of history in "Thoughts on History" (1830) and wrote his first pieces of social criticism, "Signs of the Times" (1829) and "Characteristics" (1831).

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 14

In a novel of Charles Dickens, a high spirited boy of 19 is left penniless along with his mother and sister Kate on the death of his father. Which of the following is the novel?

Answer: 3. Nicholas Nickleby

3. Nicholas Nickleby: Nicholas Nickleby's father dies unexpectedly after losing all of his money in a poor investment. Nicholas, his mother and his younger sister, Kate, are forced to give up their comfortable lifestyle in Devonshire and travel to London to seek the aid of their only living relative, Nicholas's uncle, Ralph Nickleby.

1. Oliver Twist: A young orphan named Oliver Twist navigates the harsh streets of London, encounters a cast of colourful characters, and becomes entangled in a web of crime and deception as he seeks to uncover the truth about his past.

2. David Copperfield: From his tumultuous childhood to his journey towards adulthood, David Copperfield faces various trials and tribulations, including the loss of loved ones, financial struggles, and complicated relationships, as he strives to find his place in the world and discover true happiness.

4. Hard Times: Set in an industrial town, Hard Times explores the lives of individuals affected by the harsh realities of the Victorian era. The story delves into themes of social inequality, the impact of industrialization, and the struggles faced by characters such as Thomas Gradgrind and Sissy Jupe.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 15

Which of the following novels are written by Wilkie Collins?

A. Basil
B. A Tale of a Tub
C. The Woman in White
D. Lapsing
E. A School for Lovers

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 3. A and C

Notable Works of Wilkie Collins:

  • Antonina, or The Fall of Rome (1850)
  • Basil (1852)
  • Hide and Seek (1854)
  • The Dead Secret (1856)
  • The Woman in White (1860)
  • No Name (1862)
  • Armadale (1866)
  • The Moonstone (1868)
  • Man and Wife (1870)
  • The Law and the Lady (1875)

Other Explanations:

A Tale of a Tub was the first major work written by Jonathan Swift, composed between 1694 and 1697 and published in 1704. It is arguably his most difficult satire. Another play by the same name, A Tale of a Tub, is a Caroline era stage comedy written by Ben Jonson.

The School for Lovers is a 1762 comedy play by the British writer William Whitehead.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 16

The following lines are from one of the poems of D. H. Lawrence. Identify the poem?

"And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords Of life
And I have something to expiate;
A pettiness."

Answer: 2. Snake

β€œA snake came to my water-trough
On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat,
To drink there.
...
For he seemed to me again like a king,
Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld,
Now due to be crowned again.
And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords
Of life.
And I have something to expiate:
A pettiness.” Snake BY D. H. LAWRENCE

Other Explanations:

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, is known for his significant contributions to poetry. Here is a list of some of his famous poems:

  • "Snake" - A powerful and symbolic poem exploring human fear and fascination towards nature.
  • "Piano" - A nostalgic and lyrical poem that delves into themes of memory, music, and longing.
  • "Love on the Farm" - A sensual and passionate poem celebrating the primal and natural aspects of love.
  • "Bavarian Gentians" - A vivid and vividly descriptive poem that captures the beauty and transience of life.
  • "The Ship of Death" - A haunting and existential poem that delves into the themes of mortality and the afterlife.
UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 17

Match List I with List II

List I (Critics) List II (Works on Milton)
A. Christopher Hill I. Milton
B. Catherine Belsey II. Milton's Language
C. E.M.W. Tillyard III. John Milton: Language, Gender, Power
D. Thomas N Corns IV. Milton and the English Revolution

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 1. A-IV, B-III, C- I, D-II

A. "Milton and the English Revolution" by Christopher Hill: This book examines the relationship between John Milton's writings and the English Revolution, exploring Milton's involvement in the political and social changes of the time.

B. "John Milton: Language, Gender, Power (1988)" by Catherine Belsey: This work explores the intersections of language, gender, and power in John Milton's writings, analysing how Milton's use of language reflects and shapes social and gender dynamics.

C. "Milton (1946) " by E. M. W. Tillyard: This book provides a comprehensive study of John Milton's life, works, and literary achievements, offering insights into his poetry, prose, and his role in the cultural and intellectual landscape of his time.

D. "Milton's Language" (1990) by Thomas N. Corns: This work focuses specifically on the language used by John Milton in his writings, exploring his innovative linguistic techniques and their significance in his poetry and prose.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 18

Who among the following was the author of The Voyage of the Beagle?

Answer: 2. Charles Darwin

"The Voyage of the Beagle" is a renowned book written by Charles Darwin, originally published in 1839 as his Journal and Remarks. It gained significant recognition, forming the third volume of The Narrative of the Voyages of H.M. Ships Adventure and Beagle. Darwin's account covers his experiences during the second survey expedition aboard the HMS Beagle. The book's popularity led to its reissue in 1839 as "Darwin's Journal of Researches," and a revised edition in 1845 adopted the same title. In later years, it became widely known as "The Voyage of the Beagle," the title by which it is most commonly recognized today.

Notable Works: The Voyage of the Beagle, On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 19

Which of the novelists have been correctly matched with their works?

A. Thomas Hardy - The Return of the Native
B. Charles Dickens - The History of Henry Esmond
C. Virginia Woolf - Mrs. Dalloway
D. George Eliot - Northanger Abbey
E. Charlotte Bronte - The Professor

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 2. A, C and E

"The Return of the Native" by Thomas Hardy (1878): A tragic novel set in Wessex, exploring themes of love, desire, and the clash between nature and society.

"The History of Henry Esmond" by William Makepeace Thackeray (1852): A historical novel tracing the life of the eponymous protagonist through the late 17th and early 18th centuries in England. (Not Dickens)

"Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf (1925): A modernist novel set in a single day in post-World War I London, delving into the thoughts and experiences of its characters, particularly the titular Mrs. Dalloway.

"Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen (1817): A satirical novel following the adventures of Catherine Morland as she navigates her way through society and the pitfalls of Gothic literature. (Not George Eliot)

"The Professor" by Charlotte Bronte (1857): Bronte's debut novel, originally written before "Jane Eyre," tells the story of William Crimsworth, a young Englishman who becomes a professor in Brussels and experiences love and adversity.

UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 20

Match List I with List II

List I (Author) List II (Work)
A. Charles Lamb I. Imaginary Conversations
B. William Hazlitt II. Specimens of the English Dramatic Poets who Lived about the Time of Shakespeare
C. Walter Savage Landor III. Characters of Shakespeare's Plays
D. Thomas Love Peacock IV. Gryll Grange

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 3. A-II, B-III, C-I. D-IV

I. "Imaginary Conversations" is a collection of dialogues written by Walter Savage Landor, first published in 1824. The book features fictional conversations between historical and literary figures, exploring various topics and ideas.

II. "Specimens of the English Dramatic Poets who Lived about the Time of Shakespeare" is a work by Charles Lamb, published in 1808. The book contains selected plays and excerpts from plays written by English dramatists who were contemporaries of William Shakespeare, providing insight into the theatrical landscape of that era.

III. "Characters of Shakespeare's Plays" is a book written by William Hazlitt, published in 1817. In this work, Hazlitt offers critical analysis and character sketches of the various characters found in William Shakespeare's plays, delving into their personalities, motivations, and significance within the plays.

IV. "Gryll Grange" is a novel by Thomas Love Peacock, first published in 1861. The book follows the story of Mr. Falconer, who retreats to the countryside estate of Gryll Grange. It satirises various social and intellectual movements of the time, including politics, philosophy, and education, through witty dialogues and humorous situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the chronological order of Thomas Carlyle's major works?

Some of Carlyle's major works include "Sartor Resartus" (1831), "The French Revolution" (1837), "On Heroes, Hero-Worship" (1841), and "The Life of John Sterling" (1851).

Who wrote the satirical novella Nightmare Abbey?

Nightmare Abbey, published in 1818, was written by Thomas Love Peacock. It playfully mocks contemporary literary trends and features characters based on prominent Romantic poets like Coleridge, Byron, and Shelley.

What was Jonathan Swift's relationship with the Anglican Church?

Jonathan Swift was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church (Church of Ireland) in January 1695 after his second return to Ireland from Moor Park.

Which famous Victorian novel features a protagonist whose father dies due to poor investments?

Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens features a 19-year-old protagonist whose father loses everything in a bad investment, forcing Nicholas to seek help from his cruel uncle in London.

Tags: UGC NET English, British Literature, Previous Year Questions, Victorian Age, Literary Criticism, June 2023 | Published: May 11, 2026

About the Authors

Ankit Sharma

Ankit Sharma

Founder & Author. Dedicated to simplifying English Literature for JRF aspirants.

View Books →
Aswathy V P

Aswathy V P

Lead Mentor. Specialized in active recall techniques and student mentorship.

YouTube →

πŸ›οΈ Premium Academic Arsenal

BESTSELLER
Complete PDF Notes Archive
β‚Ή999
Buy Notes Now
AUDIO LIBRARY
500+ Podcasts (All 20 Books)
β‚Ή1999
Get Audio Access
PREMIUM APP
Full UGC NET Complete Course
Download App
Start Learning
FULL CATALOG
Explore All Study Materials
View Collection
Explore More

πŸ›οΈ Essential Student Resources

Missing the Cutoff by a Few Marks?

Book a 1-on-1 Brain System Diagnostic Session with Ankit Sharma to completely recalibrate your strategy.

Book 1-on-1 Consultation β†’

Start Your Journey Today

Experience our proven pedagogy. Try the 3-Day Free Trial Course β€” 100% Complete Syllabus.

Start Learning Now