III SEMESTER

BA COMMON COURSE
(2022 Admission onwards)

(ENG3A05) READINGS ON INDIAN LITERATURES

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1.The poem, “Small Towns and the River” is taken from which collection?
A. Midsummer Survival Lyrics
B. River Poems
C. The Balm of Time
D. The Black Hill

2. Who penned the poem “Small Towns and the River”?

A. Mamang Dai
B. Sridala Swami
C. Omprakash Valmiki
D. Ganesh N Devy

3. Mamang Dai belongs to which tribe?

A. Kondh
B. Munda
C. Adi
D. Chuhra

4. The poem “Small Towns and the River” depicts the _______ of the river.
A. mortality
B. immortality
C. death
D. sadness

5. Which collection of poems by Sridala Swami was published by Sahitya Akademi in 2007?
A. A Reluctant Survivor
B. Escape Artist
C. Run for the Shadows
D. Cheenu’s Gift
6. The poem “Dream: Midnight” appeared in the collection titled ____________.
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A. Escape Artist
B. A Reluctant Survivor
C. Run for the Shadows
D. Susheela’s Kolams

7. The poem “Dream: Midnight” was published in the year _______.

A. 2007
B. 2009
C. 2014
D. 2021

8. How old was the son in the poem “Dream: Midnight”?

A. Ten
B. Twelve
C. Eleven
D. Twenty

9. Who is the speaker of the poem “Dream: Midnight”?

A. Mother
B. Son
C. Neighbour
D. The poet

10. Who is the Indian novelist and poet who laid the foundation for Dalit literature in Hindi?
A. Sridala Swami
B. Mamang Dai
C. Omprakash Valmiki
D. Geet Chaturvedi

11. Omprakash Valmiki belongs to which community?

A. Chuhra
B. Munda
C. Kondh
D. Tyagi Brahmins

12. Which is the autobiography written by Omprakash Valmiki that became a milestone in
Dalit literature?
A. Salam
B. Ab Aur Nahi
C. Joothan
D. Do Chera

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13. Who wrote the poem “What Would You Do?”?

A. Sridala Swami
B. Omprakash Valmiki
C. Geet Chaturvedi
D. Ganesh N Devy

14. Who translated the poem “What Would You Do?” from Hindi into English?
A. Pratik Kanjilal
B. Anita Gopalan
C. Ganesh N Devy
D. Omprakash Valmiki

15. Who translated the poem “(Other) Worldly Folk Tale” into English?
A. Geet Chaturvedi
B. Anita Gopalan
C. Pratik Kanjilal
D. Ganesh N Devy

16. Who is often regarded as an Avant-garde writer in Hindi?

A. Omprakash Valmiki
B. Geet Chaturvedi
C. G N Devy
D. Mamangi Dai

17. Who called Geet Chathurvedi as “a fearless realistic political poet”?

A. G N Devy
B. Omprakash Valmiki
C. Sridala Swami
D. Anita Gopalan

18. Who is the Director of Sahitya Akademi’s Project on Literature in Tribal Languages
and Oral Traditions?
A. Bama
B. Rajendra Yadav
C. Geet Chaturvedi
D. Ganesh N Devy
19. G N Devy was conferred with __________ in 2014 for his work on denotified and
nomadic tribes and endangered languages.
A. Sahitya Akademi Award
B. Padma Bhushan
C. Padma Shri
D. Bharat Bhushan Agarwal Award

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20. Who is called the ‘descendant of the gods’ by Omprakash Valmiki?

A. Dalits
B. Brahmins
C. Munda
D. Kondh

21. ____________ are aboriginals who live in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,
Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa.
A. Munda
B. Kondh
C. Adi
D. Chuhra

22. A _______ is a sung on the birth of a son or daughter in a Munda family.

A. Munda song
B. Kondh song
C. Adi song
D. Santal song

23. ________ are indigenous Adivasi tribal people who live in Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha.
A. Adi
B. Santals
C. Kondhs
D. Mundas

24. A _______ is sung usually after the death of a person.

A. Kondh song
B. Munda song
C. Santal song
D. None of these

25. The birth of ________ is associated with a cowshed full of cows.

A. A son
B. A daughter
C. Spirit
D. Mother

26. The poem “(Other) Worldly Folk Tale” included in the poetry collection _________.
A. Run for the Shadows
B. The Memory of Now
C. River Poems
D. The Two in the Next World

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27. Which poem is based on the Buddha Darshan called Lankavatara Sutra?
A. (Other) Worldly Folk Tale
B. What Would You Do?
C. Munda and Kondh Songs
D. Small Towns and the River

28. In the poem, “(Other) Worldly Folk Tale”, the relationship between the earth and the
seed is metaphorically compared to the bond between ____________.
A. a mother and a child
B. a father and a daughter
C. a tree and earth
D. a brother and a sister

29. Scorn is the translation of which Tamil story?

A. The Two in the Next World
B. ‘Ellakaaram’
C. The Bride’s Pyjamas
D. The Night Train at Deoli

30. Whose autobiography is Karukku?

A. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din
B. Ruskin Bond
C. Bama
D. Rajendra Yadav

31. ________ is translated from the Tamil story ‘Ellakaaram’ by Sarsa Rajagopal and
Antara Dev Sen.
A. Scorn
B. Bride’s Pyjamas
C. The Night Train at Deoli
D. The Two in the Next World
32. Who among the following is the character in the story, Scorn?
A. NabirShalla
B. Chinnaponnu
C. The doctor’s young wife
D. Kotan Didi

33. Who is the headman of the slum in the story, Scorn?

A. Vellukannan
B. Kattari
C. Kuttiyan
D. Aravind

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34. Who is Vellukannan’s son who was blamed for stealing his teacher’s money in the
story, Scorn?
A. Chinnaponnu
B. Kattari
C. Kuttiyan
D. Aravind
35. Who wrote the story Two in the Next World?
A. Bama
B. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din
C. Rajendra Yadav
D. Ruskin Bond

36. Who is the author famous for being part of the Nayi Kahani Movement in Hindi Literature?
A. Rajendra Yadav
B. Ruskin Bond
C. Bama
D. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din

37. The story ____________ was originally written in Hindi as ‘Do Divangat’.
A. Two in the Next World
B. Scorn
C. The Bride’s Pyjamas
D. The Night Train at Deoli

38. The narrator of the story, Two in the Next World belongs to ___________ class of the
Indian society.
A. upper
B. middle
C. marginalized
D. lower

39. In the story, Two in the Next World, the government surgeon who was to handle the
surgery was from ______.
A. upper class
B. reserved quota
C. the urban society
D. none of these

40. In the story, Two in the Next World’, the narrator is trying to strike up friendship with whom?
A. Government Surgeon
B. Young Doctor
C. Doctor’s first wife
D. Family of the second marriage

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41. Who penned the story ‘The Bride’s Pyjamas’?

A. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din
B. Ruskin Bond
C. Rajendra Yadav
D. Bama

42. Who translated ‘The Bride’s Pyjamas’ from Kashmiri?

A. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din
B. Motillal Raina
C. Ruskin Bond
D. Pratik Kanjilal

43. What is the profession of the old man, NabirShalla in the story ‘The Bride’s Pyjamas’?
A. Government surgeon
B. Station master
C. Shawl maker
D. Guard

44. What is the name of NabirShalla’s wife in the story ‘The Bride’s Pyjamas’?
A. Chinnuponnu
B. Kittanammal
C. Paripoornam
D. Khotan Didi

45. How old is NabirShalla in ‘The Bride’s Pyjamas’?

A. 50
B. 60
C. 70
D. 80

46. Who authored the story The Night Train at Deoli?

A. Ruskin Bond
B. Rajesh Yadav
C. Aktar Mohi-Ud-Din
D. Bama
47. Ruskin Bond was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award in ______.
A. 1977
B. 1930
C. 1958
D. 1992

48. Ruskin Bond’s collection The Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories was published in ____.

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A. 1956
B. 1988
C. 1992
D. 1999

49. Where did the narrator meet the girl who sells baskets in Ruskin Bond’s The Night
Train at Deoli?
A. Dehra
B. Deoli
C. Mussoorie
D. Uttar Pradesh

50. How many times did the narrator and the girl who sells baskets meet in The Night
Train at Deoli?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. None of them

ANSWER KEY

1. B 11. A 21. A 31. A 41. A

2. A 12. C 22. A 32. B 42. B
3. C 13. B 23. C 33. C 43. C
4. B 14. A 24. A 34. B 44. D
5. A 15. B 25. B 35. C 45. C
6. C 16. B 26. B 36. A 46. A
7. D 17. D 27. A 37. A 47. D
8. B 18. D 28. A 38. A 48. B
9. A 19. C 29. B 39. B 49. B
10. C 20. B 30. C 40. C 50. B

Prepared by
Sabina K Musthafa
Assistant Professor
School of Distance Education
University of Calicut

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51. What is the primary focus of the article "The Future of the Past"?
A) The significance of cultural heritage
B) The impact of modern technology
C) The history of language development
D) The role of education in society

52: What is the fate of the Andaman Archipelago's language 'Bo'?

A) It has recently gained new speakers.
B) It is no longer spoken by anyone.
C) It is being taught in schools.
D) It has become an international language.

53: What does the passing of Boa Senior symbolize?

A) The strengthening of cultural diversity
B) The preservation of linguistic heritage
C) The loss of a living culture
D) The resurgence of endangered languages

54: According to the article, what role does language play in our lives?
A) It is a form of entertainment.
B) It shapes our thoughts and feelings.
C) It is a means of physical exercise.
D) It is a tool for technological advancement.

55: What impact has the Great Andaman Trunk Road had on the Jarawa tribe?
A) It has improved their living conditions.
B) It has led to their isolation.
C) It has strengthened their cultural identity.
D) It has exposed them to external influences.

56: How many tribes survive among the Andaman Islands' indigenous people?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four

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57: What is the main message conveyed by the editorial regarding the Andaman tribes' languages?
A) They should be left to evolve naturally.
B) They should be documented for historical purposes.
C) They need to be preserved and protected.
D) They should be replaced with a common language.

58: How has the tribal population of the Andaman Islands changed over time?
A) It has remained constant.
B) It has increased significantly.
C) It has decreased dramatically.
D) It has experienced periodic fluctuations.

59: Why is preserving tribal languages considered a political endeavour?

A) It requires government funding.
B) It involves international collaboration.
C) It impacts policies and decision-making.
D) It necessitates legal actions.

60: What is the significance of preserving indigenous languages, as emphasized in the article?
A) It maintains cultural homogeneity.
B) It ensures economic prosperity.
C) It safeguards historical artifacts.
D) It empowers indigenous communities and preserves heritage.

61: What was the main point of Bhupesh Gupta's speech in the Rajya Sabha?
A) To discuss the history of Indian universities
B) To criticize student indiscipline
C) To emphasize the importance of naming the university after Nehru
D) To outline the purpose and focus of the proposed university

62: What did Bhupesh Gupta think about naming the university after Nehru?
A) He believed it was essential for the university's success.
B) He thought it would make the university unique.
C) He felt it was unnecessary and not the main concern.
D) He considered it a respectful gesture towards Nehru.

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63: According to the text, what did Bhupesh Gupta want the university's curriculum to
include?
A) Subjects related to foreign universities like Oxford and Cambridge
B) A focus on traditional academic disciplines
C) Creative and practical subjects aligned with India's needs
D) Specialized courses for government officials

64: What did Bhupesh Gupta propose to ensure fair education in the university?
A) Providing scholarships to affluent students
B) Establishing a select committee for curriculum development
C) Creating a separate faculty for economically disadvantaged students
D) Offering subsidized education for economically disadvantaged students

65: What is the overall tone of Bhupesh Gupta's speech in the Rajya Sabha?
A) Critical and confrontational
B) Diplomatic and neutral
C) Optimistic and visionary
D) Sorrowful and regretful

66: When was Meghnad N. Saha elected to the Indian Parliament?

A) 1927
B) 1938
C) 1951
D) 1956

67: What was Meghnad Saha's perspective on the connection between events in different
parts of the world?
A) He believed events in one place had no impact on others.
B) He thought global events were isolated from each other.
C) He pointed out the economic interconnectedness of the world.
D) He saw events in one place as entirely unpredictable.

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68: According to Meghnad Saha, how could hunger and deprivation be eliminated?
A) By increasing the population significantly
B) Through equitable distribution and a rational production plan
C) By focusing on individualistic efforts
D) Through the accumulation of resources by a few nations

69: Whom did Meghnad Saha propose should oversee the process of production and
distribution for global well-being?
A) Political leaders
B) Educators
C) Skilled scientific industrialists, economists, and eugenicists
D) Local community leaders

70: How did Meghnad Saha believe the proposed ambitious goals could be achieved?
A) Through individual efforts of politicians
B) By replacing existing leaders with new ones
C) Through a renovation of the educational system
D) By focusing on local initiatives

71: What was Badal Sarkar's contribution to Indian theatre?

A) He was a renowned economist.
B) He was a famous novelist.
C) He was a prominent playwright and theatre director.
D) He was a celebrated musician.

72: What movement did Badal Sarkar pioneer in Indian theatre?

A) Traditional Theatre Movement
B) Elitist Theatre Movement
C) Third Theatre Movement
D) Folk Theatre Movement

73: Which play of Badal Sarkar is considered a landmark in Indian theatre history?
A) "Ebong Indrajit" (And Indrajit)
B) "Baki Itihas" (The Other History)
C) "Pagla Ghoda" (Mad Horse)
D) "Juloos" (Procession)

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74: What does the play "Beyond the Land of Hattamala" (Hatamalar Oparey) by Badal
Sarkar challenge?
A) The value of material possessions in society
B) The importance of friendship
C) The significance of adventure
D) The role of leadership in a community

75: How does the play "Beyond the Land of Hattamala" use the names of the thieves,
Kenaram and Becharam?
A) They represent different cultures in the local language.
B) They are used to convey a moral lesson about honesty.
C) They symbolize the journey of the characters.
D) They humorously represent buying and selling in the local language.

76: Who are the main characters in "Beyond the Land of Hattamala"?
A) Utopian characters
B) K and B
C) Doctor and U
D) Thieves and Doctor

77: Which theme is NOT explored in the play"Beyond the Land of Hattamala"?
A) Materialism
B) Individualism
C) Collective contribution
D) Personal growth

78: What society do K and B encounter in the play?

A) Dystopia
B) Utopia
C) Hattamala
D) Materialistan

79: What prompts K and B's change in attitude in the play?

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A) Financial gain
B) Encountering more thieves
C) Interactions with Utopian characters
D) Finding hidden treasure

80: What do the Utopian characters symbolize in the play?

A) Greed and selfishness
B) Traditional values
C) Materialism
D) Cooperation and community

81: What is V.S. Sanoj's notable contribution to the fields of media and storytelling?
A) He is a renowned economist.
B) He is a prominent politician.
C) He is a respected journalist and filmmaker.
D) He is a celebrated musician.

82: What is the theme of V.S. Sanoj's film "Burning"?

A) The journey of two young mothers through a village.
B) The exploration of male-dominated societies.
C) The complexities of societal issues and the resilience of individuals.
D) The challenges women face within a social context.

83: Who are the two main characters in the film "Burning"?
A) Prita and Puran
B) Shakuntala and Puran
C) Prita and Shakuntala
D) Chand and Shakuntala

84: What does the setting of Varanasi's funeral ghat symbolize in the film "Burning"?
A) The repetitiveness of patriarchal norms
B) The city's rich cultural heritage
C) The unity of different communities
D) The finality of life and death

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85: How do Prita and Shakuntala's shared experiences affect their relationship in the film
"Burning"?
A) They become bitter enemies due to their differences.
B) They remain indifferent to each other's struggles.
C) Their shared experiences create a strong sense of solidarity.
D) They compete against each other for resources.
86: What is Anurag Kashyap known for in the Hindi movie industry?

A) Acting and producing films.

B) Writing novels and screenplays.
C) Directing, producing, and scriptwriting.
D) Singing and composing music.

87: What type of films is Anurag Kashyap known for making?

A) Light-hearted comedies.
B) Historical dramas.
C) Action-packed thrillers.
D) Films that range from offbeat to commercially successful.

88: Which short film directed by Anurag Kashyap sheds light on the challenges faced by
women in their daily lives?
A) "Gangs of Wasseypur"
B) "Bombay Talkies"
C) "Manmarziyaan"
D) "That Day After Everyday"

89: What is the main theme of "That Day After Everyday"?

A) The struggles of men in a patriarchal society.
B) The journey of three women from different households.
C) The challenges faced by women in the film industry.
D) The complexities of modern relationships.

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90: How do the women in "That Day After Everyday" combat the challenges they face?
A) By resorting to violence.
B) By seeking help from the police.
C) By uniting as a sisterhood and learning martial arts.
D) By giving up and returning to their homes.

91: Who is Kalidasa and what is he known for?

A) A famous mathematician known for his contributions to geometry.
B) A renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist known for his classical works.
C) An influential philosopher known for his writings on ethics.
D) A skilled painter known for his realistic portraits.

92: What is "Abhijnanasakuntalam," and what is its significance?

A) It is a Sanskrit textbook on grammar and linguistics.
B) It is a collection of folk tales and myths from ancient India.
C) It is a masterpiece of world literature based on an episode from the Indian epic
Mahabharatha.
D) It is a treatise on astronomy and astrology.

93: In the play "Abhijnanasakuntalam," what does the term "Abhijnana" symbolize?
A) A sacred mantra recited by the characters.
B) A signet ring given as a gift by King Dushyanta.
C) A mythical creature that appears in the story.
D) A hidden treasure sought by the protagonists.

94: How does the scene with Sakuntala bidding farewell to the hermitage reflect her emotions?
A) She is cheerful and excited about her new journey.
B) She is indifferent to her surroundings and eager to leave.
C) She is sad, reluctant to leave, and expresses gratitude and nostalgia.
D) She is angry and confrontational towards the other characters.
95: In the scene, what symbolic meaning is attributed to the trees and vines?

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A) They represent obstacles that Sakuntala must overcome.

B) They symbolize the characters' conversations with nature.
C) They embody the unity and strength of the grove's inhabitants.
D) They serve as a source of shelter for the characters.

96: What characterizes the emotional journey of Sakuntala in the scene?

A) She is overwhelmed by joy and eagerness to leave.
B) She experiences a mix of emotions, including gratitude, nostalgia, and sadness.
C) She is angry and resentful towards the other characters.
D) She is apathetic and detached from her surroundings.

97: Who was Shakuntala?

A) Foster daughter of saint Kanva
B) Daughter of Dushyanta
C) Wife of Durvasa
D) Daughter of Vyasa
E)

98: Shakuntala was fall in love with…………

A) Lord Krishna
B) King Dushyanta
C) Sage Durvasa
D) Kalidasa

99. Kalidasa is believed to be one of the nine gems of ………

A) King Dharmaputhra
B) King Vijayaraja
C) King Vikramaditya
D)King Dharmapala

100: Who cursed Shakuntala?

A) Dushyanta
B) Kanva
C) Srangarava
D) Durvasa

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ANSWER KEY

51. A) 61. D) 71. C) 81. C) 91. B)

52. B) 62. C) 72. C) 82. D) 92. C)
53. C) 63. C) 73. A) 83. C) 93. B)
54. B) 64. D) 74. A) 84. A) 94. C)
55. D) 65. C) 75. D) 85. C) 95. B)
56. C) 66. C) 76. B) 86. C) 96. B)
57. C) 67. C) 77. B) 87. D) 97. A)
58. C) 68. B) 78. B) 88. D) 98. B)
59. C) 69. C) 79. C) 89. B) 99. C)
60. D) 70. C) 80. D) 90. C) 100. D)

Prepared by
SMITHA N
Assistant Professor of English
School of Distance Education
Calicut University

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