NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam, December 2023 (Anthropology)

Total Questions: 100

91. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

The remains of Homo erectus have been found at several sites in Africa, Europe, China and Java. The earliest is 1-8 million years old, and the species endured until around 400,000 years ago, by which time fossils exhibit a mosaic of features characteristics of both Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. It appears to have evolved, rather abruptly, from Homo habilis. From the neck on down the body of Homo erectus was essentially modern in appearance. The brain, although small by modern standards, was larger than that of Homo habilis. The skull was generally low, with maximum breadth near its base, and massive brow ridges. Powerful teeth and jaws added to a general rugged appearance. With Homo erectus, we find a greater interaction among the cultural, physical and environmental factors than ever before.

The sign of Homo erectus developing technology was the selection of different stone for different tools and the use of fires for protection, warmth, light, thawing frozen carcasses and cooking. Cooking is a significant cultural adaptation because it took the place of certain physical adaptations such as large heavy jaws and teeth, since cooked food is easier to chew. From France, we get evidence of the building of huts and making non-utilitarian artifacts by Homo erectus and from Spain comes evidence of cooperative efforts to kill large amounts of game.

Homo erectus improved organizational, technological and communicative abilities led to more effective hunting and greater ability to modify environment in advantageous ways. As a result, this group of hominins increased in number and expanded spatially.

Which of the following did not help Hото erectus in expanding their spatial base?

Correct Answer: D. Numerical increase
Solution:Numerical increase did not help Homo erectus in expanding their spatial base. The passage highlights several factors that contributed to Homo erectus' spatial expansion, including the use of diversified stone tools, improved technology, effective hunting ability, and the ability to modify the environment advantageously.

However, while an increase in numbers might have occurred as a consequence, it is not cited as a direct factor facilitating their spatial expansion. The other options (A, B, and C) directly relate to technological and adaptive strategies that enhanced their ability to spread geographically.

92. Which of the following is not appropriate in justifying the survival of Homo erectus for a prolonged period of time?

Correct Answer: D. Development of physical characteristics
Solution:Development of physical characteristics   is not appropriate in justifying the survival of Homo erectus for a prolonged period of time. The passage emphasizes cultural and technological advancements, such as the discovery of fire, improved organizational abilities, and greater interaction with environmental factors, as key to their prolonged survival.

While physical adaptations like stronger jaws and larger brains are mentioned, the text attributes Homo erectus' longevity primarily to their cultural and technological innovations, making the development of physical characteristics less significant in this context.

93. The evidence of building of huts by Hoтo erectus comes from:

Correct Answer: D. France
Solution:The evidence of building of huts by Homo erectus comes from France. The passage clearly states that evidence of hut building and the creation of non-utilitarian artifacts by Homo erectus was found in France.

This shows their advancement in The evidence of building of huts by Homo erectus comes from France. The passage clearly states that evidence of hut building and the creation of non-utilitarian artifacts by Homo erectus was found in France. This shows their advancement in

94. Which of the following characteristics is not typical of Homo erectus?

Correct Answer: D. Large cranial capacity
Solution:Large cranial capacity is not typical  of Homo erectus. The passage describes Homo erectus as having a low skull with maximum breadth near its base, massive brow ridges, and powerful teeth and jaws, contributing to their rugged appearance.

Although their brain was larger than that of Homo habilis, it was still small by modern standards. Therefore, large cranial capacity is more characteristic of Homo sapiens and not typical of Homo erectus.

95. Homo erectus perhaps abruptly appeared from :

Correct Answer: C. Homo habilis
Solution:Homo erectus perhaps abruptly appeared from Homo habilis. The passage states that Homo erectus evolved rather abruptly from Homo habilis, indicating a significant evolutionary step between these two species.

Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, and Australopithecus robustus are earlier hominins that do not fit the direct evolutionary transition described between Homo habilis and Homo erectus.

96. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Not only animal and plant species are endangered; many peoples and their languages are too. In the last few hundred years, and continuing in some places today, Western expansion and colonization have led to the depopulation and extinction of many native societies, mainly as a result of introduced diseases and campaigns of extermination. Thus many languages disappeared with the peoples that spoke them. More than 50 aboriginal languages in Australia of approximately 200, disappeared relatively quickly as a result of massacre and diseases.

Today native languages are endangered more by the fact that they are not being passed on to children. Political and economic dominance by speakers of Western languages undoubtedly play an enormous role in this process. First, schooling is usually conducted in the dominant language. Second when another culture is dominant, the children themselves may prefer to speak in the language perceived to have higher prestige; indeed, parents sometimes encourage this tendency. Almost all the languages of aboriginal Australia are now gone. This is a world wide trend. Michael Krauss, a linguist who tracks disappearing languages, estimates that 90 percent of the world's languages are endangered. Here is another example : only 2 of the 20 native Alaskan languages are currently being taught to children, who therefore speak English only.

According to Michael Krauss's estimate..... percent of worlds languages are endangered.

Correct Answer: A. 90
Solution:According to Michael Krauss's estimate, 90 percent of the world's languages are endangered. The passage mentions that Krauss, a linguist who tracks disappearing languages, estimates that a vast majority of the world's languages are at risk of extinction.

This high percentage highlights the critical state of linguistic diversity globally. Options B, C, and D represent lower percentages that do not match Krauss's alarming estimate.

97. The main reason for the extinction of several languages was due to

Correct Answer: C. Western expansion and Colonization
Solution:The main reason for the extinction of several languages was due to Western expansion and Colonization. The passage explains that Western expansion and colonization led to the depopulation and extinction of many native societies, primarily through introduced diseases and campaigns of extermination. This historical context caused many languages to disappear alongside the people who spoke them.

While Westernization and modernization, Sanskritization, and other factors have also influenced language extinction, the passage specifically attributes the primary cause to colonization.

98. Two out of the 20 native languages are currently being taught in:

Correct Answer: B. Alaska
Solution:Two out of the 20 native languages are currently being taught in Alaska. The passage states that only 2 of the 20 native Alaskan languages are still being passed on to children, indicating a critical decline in language transmission.

This detail is part of a broader discussion on the endangerment of indigenous languages worldwide. Therefore, the specific location mentioned is Alaska, not Australia, Albania, or Austria.

99. How many aboriginal languages have disappeared in Australia?

Correct Answer: C. 50
Solution:More than 50 aboriginal languages have disappeared in Australia. The passage notes that of approximately 200 aboriginal languages in Australia, more than 50 disappeared relatively quickly due to massacres and diseases.

This rapid loss of languages reflects the devastating impact of colonization on indigenous cultures in Australia. Options A, B, and D represent incorrect numbers that do not align with the information provided.

100. The native languages are endangered due to:

Correct Answer: B. Native language is not being passed on to the children
Solution:Native languages are endangered due to native languages not being passed on to the children. The passage explains that the primary reason for the endangerment of native languages today is that they are not being transmitted to younger generations.

Factors such as political and economic dominance by speakers of Western languages, schooling in dominant languages, and children's preference for languages with higher prestige contribute to this trend. While inclination towards foreign languages and other reasons might also play a role, the key issue is the interruption of intergenerational language transmission.