UGC NET December 2026 | English Paper-II | Mock Test–99 | PYQs MCQs
UGC NET December 2026 – English Paper II
Mock Test 9: 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
Instructions
This mock test contains 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Each question has four options: A, B, C, and D.
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each correct answer carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking in this practice test.
Attempt all questions before checking the answer key and explanations.
These are original practice questions, not official or guaranteed examination questions.
Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1. Research Paradigms
A researcher investigates how readers from different cultural backgrounds interpret the ending of Things Fall Apart. The researcher focuses on readers’ experiences, interpretations, and the meanings they construct.
Which research paradigm is most suitable for this study?
A. Positivism B. Interpretivism C. Experimentalism D. Behaviourism
Question 2. Research Design
A scholar wants to examine how representations of women in selected Indian English novels changed between the 1950s and the 2020s.
Which research design would be most appropriate?
A. A laboratory experiment B. A single-session opinion poll C. A longitudinally informed historical-comparative textual study D. A clinical case study
Question 3. Research Questions and Variables
Consider the following statements:
A research question should be sufficiently focused to guide the investigation.
A hypothesis is always necessary in every qualitative literary study.
Research objectives should be aligned with the research question.
Variables must always be expressed numerically in literary research.
Choose the correct answer.
A. Only 1 and 2 B. Only 1 and 3 C. Only 2 and 4 D. Only 1, 3, and 4
Question 4. Assertion–Reason
Assertion (A): A researcher should explain the criteria used to select literary texts for a comparative study.
Reason (R): Explicit selection criteria help readers understand the scope of the study and assess the rationale behind the chosen corpus.
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 In-Text Citation
A researcher quotes a passage from page 118 of a book by Meena Kapoor. The author's name has not been mentioned in the sentence.
According to MLA-style parenthetical citation, which option is correct?
A. (Kapoor, p. 118) B. (Meena Kapoor 118) C. (Kapoor 118) D. [Kapoor: 118]
Question 6. Match the Research Approach with Its Primary Focus
Match List I with List II.
List I: Approach | List II: Primary focus |
|---|---|
1. Narratology | a. Production, circulation, and material history of books |
2. Book history | b. Structures and techniques of narrative |
3. Reception studies | c. Interpretation and response of readers or audiences |
4. Stylistics | d. Linguistic features and their literary effects |
Choose the correct matching code.
A. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c C. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b D. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
Question 7. Research Ethics
A researcher interviews living authors about their experiences of censorship. One participant later asks that a particular personal detail not be included in the published article.
What is the most ethically appropriate response?
A. Publish the detail because the interview has already taken place. B. Publish the detail but remove the participant’s name. C. Ignore the request if the detail makes the article more interesting. D. Review the consent agreement and confidentiality commitments, and respect the participant’s request where applicable.
Question 8. Identifying a Research Gap
A researcher has reviewed existing scholarship on Shakespearean tragedy. Most studies examine kingship and political authority, while comparatively little attention has been given to the relationship between disability and theatrical performance in selected productions.
Which is the strongest next step?
A. Claim that no scholar has ever studied Shakespeare. B. Formulate a focused question about disability and performance, supported by evidence from the literature review. C. Begin writing the conclusion before collecting evidence. D. Exclude all earlier scholarship from the study.
Question 9. Evaluating Research Sources
A researcher finds two articles on the same literary text. One provides a clear argument, references primary evidence, engages with previous scholarship, and appears in a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The other makes broad claims without references or a transparent method.
Which is the most appropriate academic practice?
A. Accept both articles as equally reliable because both are published online. B. Use only the article whose conclusion agrees with the researcher. C. Evaluate their evidence, methods, publication context, and relevance before deciding how to use them. D. Reject both articles because scholars may disagree.
Question 10. Match the Method with Its Description
List I: Method | List II: Description |
|---|---|
1. Oral history | a. Systematic study of patterns in publication and citation data |
2. Bibliometrics | b. Examination of historical experiences through recorded personal accounts |
3. Corpus linguistics | c. Analysis of language patterns across a structured collection of texts |
4. Discourse analysis | d. Study of how language constructs meanings, identities, and social relations |
Choose the correct matching code.
A. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d B. 1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b C. 1-d, 2-b, 3-a, 4-c D. 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
Question 11. Sampling in Qualitative Research
A researcher interviews twelve translators who have extensive experience translating contemporary Indian literature. The purpose is to obtain detailed, information-rich accounts rather than to estimate the views of all translators statistically.
Which sampling method is most appropriate?
A. Simple random sampling B. Systematic sampling C. Purposive sampling D. Cluster sampling
Question 12. Assertion–Reason: Research Integrity
Assertion (A): A researcher should report findings that challenge the original hypothesis.
Reason (R): Research integrity requires findings to be represented honestly rather than selectively reported to support a preferred conclusion.
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. Digital Humanities
A scholar uses a digital corpus of 500 novels to compare the frequency of selected words across decades. The scholar then examines individual passages to understand how those words function in context.
Which statement best describes this approach?
A. It is exclusively a traditional archival study. B. It combines computational text analysis with contextual close reading. C. It eliminates the need for interpretation. D. It proves that word frequency alone determines literary meaning.
Question 14. Primary Sources and Historical Research
A researcher investigates the contemporary reception of a novel published in 1925. Which source would be particularly valuable as a primary source for studying its initial reception?
A. A textbook published in 2020 that summarises the novel’s reputation B. A recent encyclopedia entry on the author C. A modern literary theory handbook D. A newspaper review published shortly after the novel appeared in 1925
Question 15. Writing a Research Proposal
Which section of a research proposal should explain the procedures and approaches that will be used to answer the research question?
A. Acknowledgements B. Methodology C. Dedication D. Appendix
Question 16. Research Referencing and Organisation
Which statement about Zotero is correct?
A. It is a reference-management tool that helps organise sources and generate citations and bibliographies. B. It guarantees that every citation is factually correct without user verification. C. It replaces the need to read the sources being cited. D. It is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes literary criticism.
Question 17. Qualitative Data Analysis
A researcher conducts semi-structured interviews with readers about their responses to migration narratives. After transcribing the interviews, the researcher identifies recurring patterns such as belonging, displacement, and cultural memory.
Which analytical approach is most suitable?
A. Random assignment B. Experimental manipulation C. Thematic analysis D. Statistical control-group testing
Question 18. Contradictory Evidence
While studying ecological themes in a novel, a researcher finds passages that appear to challenge the argument that the novel consistently presents nature as benevolent.
What should the researcher do?
A. Omit the passages to preserve the central argument. B. Change the quotations so that they support the argument. C. Treat all contradictory passages as irrelevant. D. Analyse the passages and revise or qualify the argument if the evidence requires it.
Question 19. Reliability and Validity
Consider the following statements:
Reliability concerns the consistency of a measurement or procedure.
Validity concerns whether a method or instrument adequately captures what it is intended to investigate.
A highly reliable instrument is automatically valid.
In qualitative research, transparency about analytical decisions can help readers assess the credibility of findings.
Choose the correct answer.
A. Only 1 and 3 B. Only 2 and 3 C. Only 1, 2, and 4 D. Only 1, 2, 3, and 4
Question 20. Mixed-Methods Research
A researcher studies how university students interpret literary representations of caste. The project includes close readings of selected novels, a questionnaire about students’ responses, and follow-up interviews with a smaller group.
What is the strongest justification for this design?
A. It ensures that every participant will have the same interpretation. B. It can combine textual analysis with broader response patterns and more detailed participant accounts. C. It makes the interpretation of literary texts unnecessary. D. It guarantees that the findings apply to every university student.
Section B: Answer Key
Check your answers only after attempting all 20 questions.
Q. No. | Answer | Q. No. | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | B | 11 | C |
2 | C | 12 | A |
3 | B | 13 | B |
4 | A | 14 | D |
5 | C | 15 | B |
6 | A | 16 | A |
7 | D | 17 | C |
8 | B | 18 | D |
9 | C | 19 | C |
10 | A | 20 | B |
Section C: Detailed Answers and Explanations
1. Correct Answer: B — Interpretivism
Interpretivism focuses on understanding how people construct meaning through their experiences and social or cultural contexts. Since the researcher investigates readers’ different interpretations of Things Fall Apart, this paradigm is appropriate.
2. Correct Answer: C — Historical-comparative textual study
The study compares literary representations across different historical periods. A historical-comparative design enables the researcher to examine changes over time while considering the social and literary contexts of the selected novels.3. Correct Answer: B — Only 1 and 3
A focused research question guides the study, and the objectives should align with it. Hypotheses are not mandatory in every qualitative literary study. Similarly, literary research does not always require numerical variables; it may investigate themes, symbols, narrative strategies, and interpretations.4. Correct Answer: A — Both are true, and R explains A
Selection criteria make a study more transparent. They help readers understand why particular texts were chosen and whether the selected material is appropriate for answering the research question.5. Correct Answer: C — (Kapoor 118)
In MLA parenthetical citation, the usual format is the author's surname followed by the page number, without a comma or the abbreviation “p.” when the author's name is not already given in the sentence.
Example: (Kapoor 118).
6. Correct Answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
Narratology: Studies narrative structures, point of view, plot, and narrative techniques.
Book history: Examines how books are produced, circulated, published, and read as material objects.
Reception studies: Investigates readers’ or audiences’ responses and interpretations.
Stylistics: Analyses linguistic choices and how they contribute to literary effects.
7. Correct Answer: D — Review consent and confidentiality commitments
Ethical research requires attention to informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and agreed conditions of participation. The researcher should review the consent agreement and applicable commitments before deciding how to handle the requested exclusion. Removing a name alone may not adequately protect identity.8. Correct Answer: B — Formulate a focused question
A research gap is an area insufficiently addressed, debated, or explored in existing scholarship. The researcher should establish the gap through a critical literature review and formulate a question that is specific, feasible, and supported by the available evidence. A claim that nobody has ever studied Shakespeare would be unjustifiably broad.9. Correct Answer: C — Evaluate evidence, methods, and context
Academic sources should be evaluated critically rather than accepted or rejected automatically. Relevant factors include the quality of evidence, the clarity of the argument, the research method, publication context, engagement with scholarship, and relevance to the research question.10. Correct Answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
Oral history: Uses recorded accounts of personal or community experiences to investigate the past.
Bibliometrics: Studies quantitative patterns in publications, citations, and scholarly communication.
Corpus linguistics: Analyses linguistic patterns in systematically compiled collections of texts.
Discourse analysis: Examines how language produces meanings and represents identities, power, and social relationships.
11. Correct Answer: C — Purposive sampling
Purposive sampling involves deliberately selecting participants because they possess characteristics or experiences relevant to the research question. Here, experienced literary translators are chosen to provide detailed, information-rich accounts rather than a statistically representative sample.12. Correct Answer: A — Both are true, and R explains A
Research integrity requires honest reporting of findings, including unexpected or contradictory results. Researchers should not suppress evidence merely because it conflicts with their initial hypothesis. The evidence may require revising the hypothesis or qualifying the conclusion.13. Correct Answer: B — Computational analysis combined with close reading
Digital humanities can use computational tools to identify patterns across large collections of texts. Close reading then examines individual passages and their contexts. Combining the two methods helps connect large-scale patterns with literary interpretation; word frequency alone cannot establish meaning.14. Correct Answer: D — A contemporary newspaper review
A review published shortly after the novel's release is a primary source for studying its initial reception. It provides direct evidence of how a contemporary reviewer responded to the work. A modern textbook or encyclopedia is generally a secondary source for that historical reception.15. Correct Answer: B — Methodology
The methodology section explains how the research will be conducted. It may describe the research design, theoretical or analytical approach, selection of texts or participants, data collection, and procedures for analysis.16. Correct Answer: A — Reference-management tool
Zotero helps researchers collect and organise bibliographic information, manage research sources, and generate citations and bibliographies. Its output still requires checking because citation styles, metadata, and imported records can contain errors.17. Correct Answer: C — Thematic analysis
Thematic analysis identifies and interprets recurring patterns of meaning in qualitative data. In this case, themes such as belonging, displacement, and cultural memory can be developed from the interview transcripts through systematic coding and interpretation.18. Correct Answer: D — Analyse the evidence and revise if necessary
Strong research considers counterevidence rather than selectively presenting only supportive material. Contradictory passages may reveal exceptions, complexities, or limitations that require a more nuanced argument.19. Correct Answer: C — Only 1, 2, and 4
Reliability concerns consistency.
Validity concerns whether a method or instrument measures or captures what it is intended to investigate.
Reliability does not automatically guarantee validity.
Transparency about analytical decisions helps readers assess the credibility of qualitative findings.
20. Correct Answer: B — Combining complementary forms of evidence
This is a mixed-methods design because it integrates qualitative textual analysis with questionnaire responses and follow-up interviews. The approaches can offer complementary insights into literary representation and student interpretation, but they do not guarantee universal conclusions or identical responses.Section D: Calculate Your Score
Enter the number of correct answers to calculate your marks.
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Percentage of total marks: 0%. This is a practice score, not an official qualifying assessment.
Practice assessment: Review the explanations carefully and revisit the key concepts before attempting the next test.
Section E: Revision Checklist
Use this checklist to track the topics you have revised.
Revision progress
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Exam Preparation Tips
Understand the concepts: Learn the differences between methodology and methods, reliability and validity, and primary and secondary sources.
Practise matching questions: Memorise the distinctive focus of literary research approaches and analytical methods.
Revise citation styles: Practise MLA in-text citations and Works Cited conventions.
Prioritise research ethics: Understand consent, confidentiality, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and transparent reporting.
Review mistakes: For every incorrect answer, identify the concept that led to the error before moving to the next mock test.
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