UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 English Literature Paper II Question Paper PDF

Central Government Jobs Administrative / Civil Services 2019

  • Year 2019
  • Conducted By UPSC
  • Questions 8
  • Maximum Marks 250
  • Duration Three Hours
  • Languages English

Exam Details

Detail Information
Examination Civil Services (Main) Examination
Year 2019
Conducting Body UPSC
Paper English Literature Paper II (Literature)
Subject English Literature
Duration Three Hours
Maximum Marks 250
Number of Questions 8
Question Type Mixed

This document contains the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019 question paper for English Literature Paper II (Literature). The paper, designated SDF-B-ENG, is worth a maximum of 250 marks and candidates are allowed three hours to complete it. It consists of eight questions divided into two sections, with compulsory questions and specific choices required. Aspirants can use this paper to understand the examination's scope, question complexity, and marking scheme, aiding their preparation for the UPSC Mains exam. The paper is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Major Topics Covered

  • English Literature
  • Yeats
  • Eliot
  • Auden
  • Larkin
  • Ramanujan
  • Theatre of the Absurd
  • Modern Man

Why This Paper is Important

  • Useful for Civil Services (Main) Examination preparation
  • Helps understand the latest exam pattern
  • Useful for practice and self-assessment
  • Covers frequently asked General Studies topics
  • Helpful for analysing question trends

Related Resources

  • English Literature Paper I (Literature) - UPSC Civil Services Main 2019
  • General Studies Paper I - UPSC Civil Services Main 2019
  • General Studies Paper II - UPSC Civil Services Main 2019
  • General Studies Paper III - UPSC Civil Services Main 2019
  • General Studies Paper IV - UPSC Civil Services Main 2019
  • UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 English Literature Paper II Answer Key
  • UPSC Civil Services Main English Literature Syllabus
  • UPSC Mains Optional Subjects Syllabus

Instructions

  • There are EIGHT questions divided in Two Sections.
  • Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.
  • The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
  • Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
  • Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order.
  • Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly.
  • Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Questions (page 2)

Q1.

(b) Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
(Eliot)

(c) Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd :
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.
(Auden)

(d) Ah, solving that question
Brings the priest and the doctor
In their long coats
Running over the fields.
(Larkin)

(e) Only the Egyptians had it right :
their kings had sisters for queens
to continue the incests
of childhood into marriage.
(Ramanujan)

Q2. Answer all of the following:

(a) Discuss the paradox in Yeats' idea, expressed in his 'Last Poems', that world history was spiralling out of control towards an apocalyptic close, yet it is not a matter for despair, but one for rejoicing.

(b) "Personification of nature, allusions to Greek mythology and the imagery of death — these devices dominate Eliot's poetry." Elucidate.

(c) How do the best plays of the Theatre of the Absurd show in telling images the alienation, bewilderment and frustrations of the Modern Man?

Question paper preview

Scanned pages 1–2 for reference. Download the official PDF for the full paper.

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UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 English Literature Paper II question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download
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UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 English Literature Paper II question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download

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Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the exam?

The exam is the Civil Services (Main) Examination.

Which paper is this question paper for?

This is for English Literature Paper II (Literature).

What is the conducting body?

The conducting body is the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission).

What is the maximum marks for this paper?

The maximum marks for this paper are 250.

What is the time allowed to complete the paper?

The time allowed is Three Hours.

What is the paper code?

The paper code is SDF-B-ENG.

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