FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION-2024
FOR RECRUITMENT TO POSTS IN BS-17
UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ENGLISH LITERATURE
TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS
PART-I (MCQs) : MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES
(PART-I MCQs) MAXIMUM MARKS: 20
(PART-II) MAXIMUM MARKS: 80
NOTE: (i) First attempt PART-I (MCQs) on separate OMR Answer Sheet which shall be taken back after 30 minutes.
(ii) Overwriting/cutting of the options/answers will not be given credit.
(iii) There is no negative marking. All MCQs must be attempted.
PART-I (MCQs)(COMPULSORY)
Q.1. (i) Select the best option/answer and fill in the appropriate Box on the OMR Answer Sheet.(20×1=20)
(ii) Answers given anywhere else, other than OMR Answer Sheet, will not be considered.
1 According to Russell, what is the connection between envy and unhappiness?
(A) Envy is a catalyst for happiness (B) Envy is unrelated to happiness (C) Envy is a source of unhappiness (D) None of these
2 What emotional tone is prevalent in the final stanza of Keats’ Ode to Autumn?
(A) Melancholic (B) Joyful (C) Anxious (D) None of these
3 What does “The Lotus Eater” symbolize in the context of the story?
(A) A drug (B) A mythical creature (C) A state of indulgence and lethargy (D) None of these
4 Which literary technique is frequently employed by Whitman in the poem “As I Ponder’d in Silence”?
(A) Sonnet form (B) Rhymed couplets (C) Free verse and cataloguing (D) None of these
5 In Russell’s essay, what does he propose as a key factor in overcoming the fear of public opinion and achieving genuine happiness?
(A) Indifference (B) Solitude (C) Conforming (D) None of these
6 What does Ulysses mean by the phrase “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”?
(A) He is submitting to death indifferently (B) He has given up on all pursuits (C) He wishes to retire peacefully (D) None of these
7 How does Whitman convey a sense of inclusivity in the poem “As I Ponder’d in Silence”?
(A) Through exclusionary language (B) By emphasizing individualism (C) By addressing a diverse range of people and experiences (D) None of these
8 What war is looming in the background of Shaw’s “Heartbreak House”?
(A) World War I (B) World War II (C) The Napoleonic Wars (D) None of these
9 According to Russell, what is the advocated approach to balancing external achievements and internal well-being for lasting happiness?
(A) Prioritizing (B) Balancing (C) Ignoring (D) None of these
10 What famous play did Shaw write as a sequel to “Pygmalion,” exploring the consequences of Eliza’s newfound social status?
(A) “Man and Superman” (B) “Major Barbara” (C) “Heartbreak House” (D) None of these
11 What style of theatre is often associated with “Waiting for Godot”?
(A) Realism (B) Absurdism (C) Romanticism (D) None of these
12 Which literary device is prominently featured in the poem Second Coming’s opening lines, “Turning and turning in the widening gyre / the falcon cannot hear the falconer”?
(A) Simile (B) Metaphor (C) Symbolism (D) None of these
13 Which of the following best characterizes the rhythm and meter of “The Second Coming”?
(A) Strict adherence to a regular meter (B) Frequent use of rhyme schemes (C) Varied and irregular meter (D) None of these
14 What is the central theme of “The Lotus Eater”?
(A) The pursuit of wealth (B) The danger of indulgence (C) The allure of nature (D) None of these
15 What role does philosophy play in “Under the Net” by Iris Murdoch?
(A) It serves as a mere backdrop (B) No philosophy in the plot (C) It confuses the narrative (D) None of these
16 What role does symbolism play in “Sons and Lovers”?
(A) There is no symbolism (B) Superficial embellishment (C) Conveys psychological complexities (D) None of these
17 What characterizes the language used in absurd theatre?
(A) Clear and logical (B) Symbolic and metaphorical (C) Poetic and lyrical (D) None of these
18 What term is often used in Marxist literary theory to describe works that reflect and critique the economic and social conditions of their time?
(A) Bourgeoisie literature (B) Proletarian literature (C) Utopian literature (D) None of these
19 What genre influences Iris Murdoch’s writing style in “Under the Net”?
(A) Science fiction (B) Mystery (C) Philosophical fiction (D) None of these
20 How does deconstructionism challenge the traditional binary oppositions in language and thought?
(A) By deconstructing and subverting binary oppositions (B) By reinforcing and solidifying binary oppositions (C) By avoiding any engagement with binary concepts (D) None of these
PART-II
NOTE: (i) Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
(ii) Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks.
(iii) All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places.
(iv) Write Q. No. in the Answer Book in accordance with Q. No. in the Q.Paper.
(v) No Page/Space be left blank between the answers. All the blank pages of Answer Book must be crossed.
(vi) Extra attempt of any question or any part of the question will not be considered.
Q. No. 2. Critically analyze whether Emerson’s transcendentalist philosophy has enduring value and applicability in addressing current societal and individual concerns. (20)
Q. No. 3. Investigate O’ Henry’s intentions in crafting “The Gift of the Magi” and how his writing style contributes to the story’s impact? What literary devices does he employ to evoke emotions and convey the central message? (20)
Q. No. 4. Explore ecocritical perspectives in “Tintern Abbey.” How does Wordsworth engage with ecological themes, and what environmental ethics can be discerned in the poem? (20)
Q. No. 5. Investigate the portrayal of women in “Hamlet,” focusing on Gertrude and Ophelia. How do gender roles and societal expectations influence their actions and outcomes? Discuss the agency or lack thereof granted to female characters in the play. (20)
Q. No. 6. How do Orwell’s warnings about authoritarianism, surveillance, and propaganda resonate with contemporary political and social developments? Discuss the enduring significance of “1984” in the 21st century as a cautionary tale. (20)
Q. No. 7. What are the limitations and potential shortcomings of feminist approaches to literature? Evaluate the challenges and criticisms faced by Feminist Criticism as a literary theory. (20)
Q. No. 8. Examine the thematic exploration of guilt, redemption, and atonement within the context of a judgmental society in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” (20)
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