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

Total Questions: 100

81. Arrange the order of questions to be asked while conducting an interview:

(a) Factual question
(b) Sensitive/controversial questions
(c) Opinion questions
(d) Interest creation questions
(e) 'Did we miss something' type questions
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: В. (d), (a), (c), (b), (e)
Solution:The correct order of questions to be asked while conducting an interview is:
  • Interest creation questions
  • Factual questions
  • Opinion questions
  • Sensitive/controversial questions
  • 'Did we miss something' type questions

This order is logical because starting with interest creation questions helps engage the interviewee and make them comfortable. Factual questions come next as they are straightforward and easy to answer. Opinion questions follow as they require more thought and personal insight. Sensitive or controversial questions are best asked after rapport has been established to ensure honest responses. Finally, ending with 'Did we miss something' questions ensures that any overlooked topics can be addressed. This sequence facilitates a smooth and effective interview process.

82. Arrange the following books in the order of the year of publication:

(a) Political Systems of Highland Burma
(b) Argonauts of the Western Pacific
(c) Elements of Social Organizations
(d) The Nuer
(e) Structure and Function in Primitive Society
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: D. (b), (d), (c), (e), (a)
Solution:The correct order of the books in the year of publication is: (b) Argonauts of the Western Pacific (d) The Nuer (c) Elements of Social Organizations (e) Structure and Function in Primitive Society (a) Political Systems of Highland Burma.

"Argonauts of the Western Pacific" by Bronisław Malinowski was published in 1922 and is a seminal work in anthropology. "The Nuer" by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, published in 1940, explores the social structure of the Nuer people. "Elements of Social Organization" by Raymond Firth was published in 1951. "Structure and Function in Primitive Society" by A.R. RadcliffeBrown was published in 1952. "Political Systems of Highland Burma" by E.E. Leach was published in 1954. Therefore, the correct chronological order is (b), (d), (c), (e), (a).

83. Arrange the following, starting from the state having the highest scheduled tribe populations to the state with the lowest scheduled tribe populations as per 2011 Census.

(a) Gujarat
(b) Odisha
(c) Maharastra
(d) Rajasthan
(e) Madhya Pradesh
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: B. (e), (c), (b), (d), (a)

84. Identify the chronological succession of tool types in Prehistoric culture:

(a) Choppers
(b) Micro burins
(c) Bits and cheek pieces
(d) Bone points
(e) Cleavers
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: B. (a), (e), (d), (b), (c)
Solution:The correct chronological succession of tool types in Prehistoric culture is: (a) Choppers (e) Cleavers (d) Bone points (b) Micro burins (c) Bits and cheek pieces

Choppers are among the earliest stone tools, used for chopping and cutting. Cleavers, which are larger cutting tools, come next. Bone points are later tools used for hunting and other purposes. Micro burins are small, sharp tools used in the Mesolithic period. Bits and cheek pieces are associated with later prehistoric and early historic periods. Therefore, the correct order is (a), (e), (d), (b), (c).

85. The correct sequential order of geological epochs from the earliest to the latest :

(a) Anthropocene
(b) Eocene
(c) Holocene
(d) Oligocene
(e) Pleistocene
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (b), (d), (e), (c), (a)

86. Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): The evidences of early domestication of plants and animals had taken place in the Mesopotamia region of West Asia

Reason (R): The flora and fauna together, the then prevailing palaeo-ecological condition during the initial stages of Halocene period were congenial for early farming as evidenced at Jericho, Jarmo and Catalhoyuk archaeological sites.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:The Mesopotamia region of West Asia is indeed one of the earliest sites of plant and animal domestication. The palaeo-ecological conditions during the early Holocene, including the favorable flora and fauna, created a conducive environment for early farming, as evidenced at archaeological sites like Jericho, Jarmo, and Catalhoyuk. The reason (R) directly supports the assertion (A), explaining why early domestication occurred in this region.

87. Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): J.M. Tanner identified what is known as 'Secular trend' in the growth of children and adolescents during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Reason (R): J.M. Tanner observed the trend of increase in height at all ages, particularly in adolscence and earlier sexual maturation in western Europe and USA that began in early 1800s and continued to the middle of the 20th century. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (А)
Solution:J.M. Tanner identified the 'secular trend' in the growth of children and adolescents, noting an increase in height and earlier sexual maturation over the 19th and 20th centuries.

This trend was particularly evident in Western Europe and the USA, where improved nutrition and living conditions contributed to these changes. Therefore, (R) explains the phenomenon described in (A).

88. Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): The symbolic coding of food has been elaborated to a high degree, especially in the second half of the twentieth century, when the development of global food cultures and systems of food retail and marketing accelerated.

Reason (R): For nutritional anthropologists, understanding of deep social embeddedness as a symbolic good helps to determine how nutritional health is produced in relation to modern food system, where symbolic value is an important issue for food management and marketing

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:The symbolic coding of food has indeed become more complex, especially with the globalization of food cultures and marketing systems. Nutritional anthropologists study the deep social embeddedness of food to understand how nutritional health is influenced by modern food systems, where symbolic value plays a crucial role. Thus, (R) correctly explains (A).

89. Given below are two statements:

Statement (I): Globalization process includes transnational flow of goods, people, ideas and practices. There has been a significant increase in international migration. The possibility of the cultural homogenization has been pointed at.

Statement (II): In the wake of globalization forces, there has been assertion of local cultures in the form of various movements. Identity assertion is very much there. Globalization process has been pointed. Restriction on visas and work permits come in the way of international migrations.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Solution:Globalization involves the transnational flow of goods, people, ideas, and practices, leading to cultural homogenization. However, it also prompts the assertion of local cultures and identities, as seen in various movements.

Restrictions on visas and work permits do hinder international migration, but the overall process of globalization still results in significant cultural exchanges and identity assertions.

90. Given below are two statements:

Statement (I): There is an association between blood group types and genetic diseases.
Statement (II): The association between blood group types and genetic diseases is an example of linkage.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Solution:There is indeed an association between blood group types and certain genetic diseases, such as the susceptibility to certain infections. However, this association is not an example of genetic linkage, which refers to the co-inheritance of genes located close to each other on the same chromosome. Therefore, Statement I is correct, but Statement II does not accurately describe the nature of the association.