UGC NET December 2026 | English Paper-II | Mock Test–100 | PYQs MCQs

UGC NET December 2026 – English Paper II

Mock Test 10: Unit X – Research Methods and Materials in English

Practice Test

Total Questions

20

Maximum Marks

40

Suggested Time

25 minutes

Marks per Question

2 marks

General Instructions

1. The test contains 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

2. Each question has four options: A, B, C, and D.

3. Choose the single best answer for each question.

4. Each correct answer carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking in this practice test.

5. Attempt all questions before consulting the answer key.

6. These are original practice questions, not official or guaranteed examination questions.

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 1. Deductive Reasoning

A researcher begins with an established theoretical proposition about narrative perspective, derives a prediction about a selected group of novels, and examines the texts to determine whether the prediction is supported.

Which type of reasoning is primarily used?

A. Inductive reasoning B. Deductive reasoning C. Abductive reasoning only D. Random reasoning

Question 2. Theoretical Framework

What is the principal function of a theoretical framework in a literary research project?

A. To replace textual evidence with the researcher's personal opinion B. To provide a list of every book ever published on the topic C. To provide concepts and theoretical perspectives that guide the analysis and interpretation D. To guarantee that all readers will agree with the conclusion

Question 3. Research Hypotheses

Consider the following statements:

1. A null hypothesis commonly states that there is no specified relationship or difference being tested.

2. An alternative hypothesis proposes a relationship or difference that contrasts with the null hypothesis.

3. Every literary interpretation must be tested using a statistical hypothesis.

4. A hypothesis should be formulated so that it can be meaningfully examined using the proposed research design.

Which option is correct?

A. Only 1 and 2 B. Only 2 and 3 C. Only 1, 2, and 4 D. Only 1, 3, and 4

Question 4. Assertion–Reason: Literature Review

Assertion (A): A literature review should critically evaluate existing scholarship rather than merely list summaries of publications.

Reason (R): Critical synthesis helps identify debates, methodological limitations, patterns, and gaps relevant to the proposed research.

Choose the correct option.

A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A. B. Both A and R are true, but R does not correctly explain A. C. A is true, but R is false. D. A is false, but R is true.

Question 5. MLA Works Cited

Which entry follows the general MLA 9 format for a book written by a single author?

A. Kumar, Anita. Reading Modern Fiction. Oxford University Press, 2022. B. Anita Kumar, Reading Modern Fiction, Oxford University Press, 2022. C. Kumar, Anita (2022), “Reading Modern Fiction,” Oxford University Press. D. Reading Modern Fiction. Anita Kumar. Oxford University Press. 2022.

Question 6. Match the Research Concepts

Match List I with List II.

List I: Concept	List II: Description
1. Hermeneutics	a. Study of signs and signification
2. Semiotics	b. Interpretation and understanding of texts
3. Historiography	c. Study of how history is written and interpreted
4. Intertextuality	d. Relationships among texts

Choose the correct matching code.

A. 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c B. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d C. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b D. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

Question 7. Plagiarism and Paraphrasing

A researcher rewrites another scholar's argument in different words but provides no citation. The researcher has not copied any exact sentence.

Which statement is correct?

A. It cannot be plagiarism because the wording has changed. B. It is acceptable as long as the original source is difficult to find. C. It may constitute plagiarism because the underlying idea has been used without attribution. D. It is acceptable if the researcher includes a bibliography but no in-text citation where required.

Question 8. Operationalisation

A researcher wants to investigate whether students' exposure to literary podcasts is associated with their engagement with contemporary poetry. The researcher defines “engagement” using a combination of reading frequency, participation in poetry discussions, and attendance at poetry events.

This process is best described as:

A. Operationalisation of a concept B. Fabrication of research findings C. Random allocation of participants D. Historical periodisation

Question 9. Archival Research

A scholar is studying the composition and publication history of a nineteenth-century poem. Which action is most appropriate when examining archival manuscripts?

A. Assume every manuscript is authentic because it is held in a library. B. Use only the most visually attractive manuscript. C. Disregard provenance if the text appears readable. D. Investigate provenance, date, material features, ownership history, and the relationship between textual witnesses.

Question 10. Match the Research Methods

List I: Method	List II: Main purpose
1. Content analysis	a. Intensive investigation of a bounded case
2. Case study	b. Systematic analysis of communication content
3. Ethnography	c. Study of a group or community through contextual engagement
4. Experimental design	d. Investigation of effects under controlled conditions

Choose the correct matching code.

A. 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c B. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b C. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d D. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

Question 11. Sampling Bias

A researcher distributes a questionnaire about reading habits only through a university literary society and then claims that the results represent all university students nationwide.

What is the principal methodological concern?

A. The sample is necessarily too large. B. The sampling frame may exclude many relevant students, creating selection bias and limiting generalisability. C. Questionnaires cannot be used in literary research. D. The study has automatically achieved random sampling.

Question 12. Assertion–Reason: Research Transparency

Assertion (A): Researchers should document significant changes made to their research questions or analytical procedures during a project.

Reason (R): A clear record of research decisions helps readers understand how the study developed and assess the basis of its conclusions.

Choose the correct option.

A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A. B. Both A and R are true, but R does not correctly explain A. C. A is true, but R is false. D. A is false, but R is true.

Question 13. Corpus Linguistics

A researcher compares the use of modal verbs in novels written by two authors. One corpus contains two million words and the other contains five hundred thousand words.

What is the best way to make a basic frequency comparison more meaningful?

A. Compare only the raw totals without considering corpus size. B. Remove all occurrences that do not support the researcher's expectations. C. Treat the smaller corpus as automatically more representative. D. Calculate normalised frequencies using a common denominator and examine relevant contexts.

Question 14. DOI and Scholarly Sources

What is the main purpose of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in scholarly publishing?

A. To certify that an article is free from errors. B. To guarantee that an article has been peer-reviewed. C. To provide a persistent identifier that helps locate a digital scholarly object. D. To replace all bibliographic information in a reference list.

Question 15. Abstract Writing

Which set of elements is most commonly expected in a well-structured research abstract?

A. Acknowledgements, dedication, appendices, and a full bibliography B. Research purpose, approach or methods, key findings, and principal conclusion C. A complete chapter-by-chapter reproduction of the paper D. Personal opinions unrelated to the research question

Question 16. Copyright and Fair Use/Fair Dealing

A researcher wishes to include a lengthy passage from a recently published copyrighted novel in an article.

Which practice is most appropriate?

A. Reproduce the entire passage because academic work is always exempt from copyright. B. Assume that acknowledging the author automatically makes any amount of copying lawful. C. Avoid checking copyright law because unpublished research has no legal restrictions. D. Use only what is justified for the scholarly purpose, provide proper attribution, and assess applicable copyright exceptions or permission requirements.

Question 17. Qualitative Research and Reflexivity

A researcher studying reader responses realises that their own social background and literary preferences may influence interview questions and interpretation.

What is the most appropriate response?

A. Reflect on and document how the researcher's position may shape data collection and interpretation. B. Pretend that the researcher has no standpoint or assumptions. C. Exclude all participant statements that differ from the researcher's views. D. Replace the interviews with invented responses.

Question 18. Translation Studies

A scholar compares the original Hindi version of a novel with two English translations to investigate how culturally specific expressions and social relationships are represented.

Which approach is most suitable?

A. A purely bibliometric study that ignores the text B. A laboratory experiment involving unrelated participants C. Comparative textual analysis informed by translation theory and cultural context D. A study of publication statistics alone

Question 19. Data Management and Research Ethics

A researcher collects interview recordings and transcripts containing identifiable personal information. Which data-management practice is most appropriate?

A. Upload all files publicly without checking consent. B. Store the files securely, restrict access, follow consent agreements, and anonymise or pseudonymise data where appropriate. C. Share identifiable transcripts with anyone who requests them. D. Delete the consent forms immediately while retaining identifiable recordings indefinitely without justification.

Question 20. Selecting an Appropriate Method

A researcher investigates how a group of contemporary novels represents climate anxiety. The study requires close analysis of narrative voice, imagery, and symbolism, alongside contextual evidence about the cultural debates surrounding climate change.

Which research design is most suitable?

A. A questionnaire-only design with no textual analysis B. A laboratory experiment measuring physical reactions to unrelated images C. A bibliometric analysis of citation counts alone D. A qualitative interpretive study combining close reading with contextual historical and cultural research

Section B: Answer Key

Question	Correct Answer	Question	Correct Answer
1	B	11	B
2	C	12	A
3	C	13	D
4	A	14	C
5	A	15	B
6	B	16	D
7	C	17	A
8	A	18	C
9	D	19	B
10	C	20	D

Section C: Detailed Answers and Explanations

1. Correct Answer: B — Deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning moves from a general theory or proposition to a specific prediction that can be examined. In this question, the researcher begins with a theoretical proposition and tests its application to selected novels. Inductive reasoning, by contrast, generally moves from particular observations towards broader patterns or explanations.

2. Correct Answer: C — Guide analysis and interpretation

A theoretical framework provides concepts, assumptions, and perspectives that help researchers interpret their material. For example, a feminist, Marxist, postcolonial, or ecocritical framework may guide the questions asked of a literary text. It supports interpretation rather than replacing evidence or guaranteeing agreement.

3. Correct Answer: C — Only 1, 2, and 4

A null hypothesis typically states that no specified relationship or difference exists, while an alternative hypothesis proposes a competing relationship or difference. A hypothesis should be appropriate to the research design and capable of meaningful examination. Not every literary study requires a statistical hypothesis; qualitative textual research may instead use research questions and interpretive arguments.

4. Correct Answer: A — Both statements are true, and R explains A

A literature review should critically synthesise scholarship by comparing arguments, evaluating methods, and identifying agreements, disagreements, and unanswered questions. A list of summaries alone does not adequately establish how a proposed study relates to existing research.

5. Correct Answer: A — Kumar, Anita. Reading Modern Fiction. Oxford University Press, 2022.

A general MLA 9 book entry begins with the author's name in inverted form, followed by the italicised title, publisher, and publication year. The exact entry may require additional elements depending on the edition, format, and source details.

6. Correct Answer: B — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d

• Hermeneutics: The theory and practice of interpretation.

• Semiotics: The study of signs and systems of signification.

• Historiography: The study of how history is written, interpreted, and represented.

• Intertextuality: The relationships and connections among texts.

7. Correct Answer: C — Paraphrased ideas still require attribution

Plagiarism is not limited to copying exact words. Presenting another scholar's argument or ideas as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement may also constitute plagiarism. Paraphrasing requires both genuinely rewording the source and citing it according to the applicable style.

8. Correct Answer: A — Operationalisation

Operationalisation translates an abstract concept into observable indicators or procedures. Here, the broad concept of “engagement” is defined through reading frequency, participation in discussions, and attendance at poetry events. Researchers should also explain the limitations of these indicators.

9. Correct Answer: D — Investigate provenance and textual relationships

Archival research requires critical examination of a document's origin, date, ownership, material characteristics, and historical context. When several manuscript versions exist, researchers should also investigate their relationships and differences rather than assume that one version is automatically authoritative.

10. Correct Answer: C — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d

• Content analysis: Systematic examination of communication content, including words, themes, and representations.

• Case study: Detailed investigation of a bounded case, such as a particular institution, text, or community.

• Ethnography: Study of a group or community through contextual engagement and observation.

• Experimental design: Investigation of effects under controlled conditions, often involving manipulation of variables.

11. Correct Answer: B — Selection bias and limited generalisability

Students belonging to a literary society may have different reading habits from students who do not participate in such a society. Because the sampling frame excludes many students, the results may not represent the national student population. Generalisations should match the sample and research design.

12. Correct Answer: A — Both statements are true, and R explains A

Transparent documentation allows readers to follow how a project developed and understand why the researcher changed a question, method, or analytical procedure. Maintaining a record of significant decisions supports accountability and a clearer assessment of the conclusions.

13. Correct Answer: D — Use normalised frequencies and examine context

Raw frequency totals are difficult to compare when corpus sizes differ substantially. Normalised frequency expresses occurrences relative to a common denominator, such as occurrences per 10,000 words. Researchers should also inspect context because frequency alone cannot explain the function or meaning of a linguistic feature.

14. Correct Answer: C — Persistent identifier

A DOI provides a persistent identifier for a digital object, such as a journal article or scholarly book chapter. It helps users locate the object through a DOI resolution service. A DOI does not itself guarantee accuracy, quality, or peer review.

15. Correct Answer: B — Purpose, method, findings, and conclusion

A research abstract concisely communicates the study's purpose, approach, key findings, and principal conclusion. The precise structure depends on the discipline and publication guidelines. An abstract is not a substitute for the complete paper or a place for unrelated personal opinions.

16. Correct Answer: D — Appropriate use, attribution, and legal assessment

Academic use does not automatically exempt a researcher from copyright restrictions. The researcher should use only the amount justified by the scholarly purpose, provide proper attribution, and consider applicable copyright exceptions or permission requirements. Giving credit is essential but does not, by itself, authorise every reproduction.

17. Correct Answer: A — Reflexivity

Reflexivity involves critically examining how a researcher's background, assumptions, and position may influence the research process. Documenting these influences can make interpretation more transparent. It does not require pretending to be entirely free from perspective or ignoring participants who disagree.

18. Correct Answer: C — Comparative textual analysis informed by translation theory

Comparing the original novel with its translations allows the researcher to examine lexical choices, cultural references, tone, and representations of social relationships. Translation theory and cultural context help explain the significance of differences across versions.

19. Correct Answer: B — Secure storage and appropriate access controls

Ethical data management involves secure storage, access restrictions, adherence to consent agreements, and suitable anonymisation or pseudonymisation. Researchers should retain and dispose of data according to applicable ethical requirements, institutional policies, and the purposes explained to participants.

20. Correct Answer: D — Qualitative interpretive study with contextual research

Close reading is appropriate for examining narrative voice, imagery, symbolism, and other textual features. Historical and cultural research can situate these features within wider climate debates. Together, these methods address both the literary text and its context.

Section D: Calculate Your Score

Use the interactive score calculator below to assess your performance.

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Percentage of maximum marks: 0%. This is a practice result, not an official qualifying score.

Performance: More revision is recommended. Review the explanations and practise these concepts again.

Section E: Revision Checklist

Mark each topic as you revise it.

Your revision progress

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Deductive and inductive reasoning

Theoretical frameworks and hypotheses

Critical literature reviews and research gaps

MLA 9 citation and Works Cited

Hermeneutics, semiotics, and intertextuality

Plagiarism, paraphrasing, and copyright

Operationalisation and research design

Archival research and provenance

Content analysis, case studies, and ethnography

Sampling bias and generalisability

Research transparency and reflexivity

Corpus linguistics and normalised frequencies

DOI and reference-management tools

Abstract writing and research proposals

Qualitative and mixed-methods research

Translation studies and comparative textual analysis

Research ethics and data management

Final Preparation Tips

• Learn the distinctions between closely related concepts, especially inductive and deductive reasoning, reliability and validity, and hermeneutics and semiotics.

• Practise matching research methods with their defining characteristics.

• Review MLA citation rules and the ethical use of published material.

• When evaluating research scenarios, choose the method that best fits the research question and available evidence.

• Keep a record of incorrect answers and revisit them before attempting another mock test.  

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