Explore the world of Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) literature, key authors and works, and test your knowledge with 15 important UGC NET MCQs.
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) in Literature: Key Authors, Works & 15 MCQs for UGC NET
Introduction:
Science Fiction, popularly known as Sci-Fi, is a genre of literature that explores imaginative and futuristic concepts such as space travel, time travel, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial life. From early works like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to modern cyberpunk and dystopian novels, Sci-Fi has captivated readers worldwide. This post provides a comprehensive guide to Sci-Fi, its key authors and works, and 15 important MCQs for UGC NET aspirants.
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1. Definition
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Fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science, technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life.
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Blends scientific possibility with human imagination.
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Sometimes overlaps with fantasy, but sci-fi is grounded in scientific logic.
2. Early Precursors
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Lucian of Samosata – True History (2nd c. CE) → earliest proto-sci-fi (moon travel).
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Mary Shelley – Frankenstein (1818) → first true sci-fi novel (science creating life).
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Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels (1726) → satire with futuristic science (Laputa).
3. Golden Age of Sci-Fi (19th–20th Century)
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Jules Verne (France) – adventure & technology:
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Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864)
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Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870)
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Around the World in Eighty Days (1872)
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H.G. Wells (UK) – father of modern sci-fi:
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The Time Machine (1895) → time travel
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The War of the Worlds (1898) → alien invasion
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The Invisible Man (1897) → scientific experiment
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The First Men in the Moon (1901)
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4. 20th Century Sci-Fi
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Aldous Huxley – Brave New World (1932) → dystopian, genetic control.
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George Orwell – 1984 (1949) → surveillance state, dystopia.
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Isaac Asimov – Foundation series, I, Robot → robotics, AI, laws of robotics.
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Arthur C. Clarke – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Childhood’s End.
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Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451 (1953) → censorship, book-burning future.
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Philip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) → inspired Blade Runner.
5. Postmodern / Contemporary Sci-Fi
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Margaret Atwood – The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), Oryx and Crake (2003) → speculative fiction.
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Octavia E. Butler – Kindred, Parable of the Sower → Afrofuturism, race, identity.
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Ursula K. Le Guin – The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) → gender and society.
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William Gibson – Neuromancer (1984) → cyberpunk, virtual reality.
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Neal Stephenson – Snow Crash (1992), Cryptonomicon.
6. Indian Sci-Fi Writers
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Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain – Sultana’s Dream (1905) → feminist utopia.
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Jayant Narlikar – astrophysicist & sci-fi (The Return of Vaman).
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Samit Basu – The Simoqin Prophecies, Turbulence.
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Vandana Singh – The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet.
7. Themes in Sci-Fi
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Space exploration 🚀 (Star Trek, Clarke’s works).
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Time travel ⏳ (The Time Machine).
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Robotics & AI 🤖 (Asimov, Dick).
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Dystopia & surveillance 👁 (1984, Fahrenheit 451).
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Environmental disaster 🌍 (Oryx and Crake).
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Genetic engineering & cloning 🧬 (Brave New World).
✅ Exam Key Points
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Frankenstein = first sci-fi novel.
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Jules Verne = "Father of Science Fiction" (adventure/science).
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H.G. Wells = dystopia, time travel, aliens.
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Asimov = robotics laws.
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Atwood & Butler = feminist sci-fi.
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Gibson = cyberpunk.
MCQs on Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Who is considered the author of the first true science fiction novel?
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A) Jules Verne
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B) H.G. Wells
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C) Mary Shelley ✅
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D) Isaac Asimov
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Which novel is an early example of feminist utopian science fiction?
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A) Brave New World
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B) Sultana’s Dream ✅
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C) 1984
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D) Frankenstein
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H.G. Wells wrote which of the following?
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A) Journey to the Center of the Earth
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B) The War of the Worlds ✅
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C) I, Robot
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D) Fahrenheit 451
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Jules Verne is best known for:
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A) Dystopian novels
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B) Adventure & scientific exploration ✅
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C) Cyberpunk fiction
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D) Afrofuturism
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Brave New World was written by:
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A) George Orwell
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B) Aldous Huxley ✅
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C) Isaac Asimov
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D) Margaret Atwood
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Which author introduced the concept of “Laws of Robotics”?
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A) Philip K. Dick
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B) Arthur C. Clarke
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C) Isaac Asimov ✅
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D) William Gibson
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The Time Machine is written by:
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A) Jules Verne
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B) H.G. Wells ✅
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C) Ray Bradbury
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D) Mary Shelley
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Which dystopian novel focuses on surveillance and totalitarianism?
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A) Brave New World
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B) 1984 ✅
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C) Fahrenheit 451
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D) Neuromancer
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Who wrote Fahrenheit 451?
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A) George Orwell
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B) Ray Bradbury ✅
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C) Aldous Huxley
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D) Ursula K. Le Guin
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Cyberpunk fiction is most closely associated with:
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A) William Gibson ✅
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B) Isaac Asimov
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C) H.G. Wells
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D) Margaret Atwood
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Neuromancer is a classic example of:
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A) Dystopian Sci-Fi
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B) Cyberpunk ✅
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C) Steampunk
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D) Space Opera
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Which author is known for Afrofuturism?
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A) Ursula K. Le Guin
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B) Octavia E. Butler ✅
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C) Neal Stephenson
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D) Philip K. Dick
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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein deals primarily with:
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A) Time Travel
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B) Artificial life & ethics ✅
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C) Alien invasion
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D) Space exploration
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Margaret Atwood is known for which genre in Sci-Fi?
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A) Cyberpunk
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B) Dystopian & speculative fiction ✅
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C) Space Opera
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D) Time travel
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Which of the following is NOT a Sci-Fi work?
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A) The War of the Worlds
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B) Neuromancer
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C) Pride and Prejudice ✅
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D) I, Robot
Conclusion:
Science Fiction has evolved from the early imaginative works of Mary Shelley and Jules Verne to contemporary dystopian and cyberpunk novels. Understanding the key authors, their works, and major concepts is crucial for students, literature enthusiasts, and UGC NET aspirants. Use these MCQs to test your knowledge and strengthen your preparation for competitive exams.
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