NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam, January 2024 (Anthropology)

Total Questions: 100

31. The following book ........... was the dazzling culmination of economic anthropology's golden age.

Correct Answer: 4. Stone Age Economics by M. Sahlins
Solution:Marshall Sahlins' book Stone Age Economics (1972) is considered a landmark in economic anthropology and is often referred to as the culmination of the field's golden age. In this book, Sahlins famously argued against the stereotype of hunter-gatherers as struggling for survival, introducing the idea of the "original affluent society", where needs were easily met with minimal labor.

The book combined economic theory with ethnographic insights, bringing together discussions of reciprocity, redistribution, and subsistence strategies. It challenged both neoclassical economic assumptions and earlier anthropological views, making it pivotal in shaping anthropological discourse on economy.

32. Match the LIST-I with LIST-IIІ.

LIST-I (Ethnography Type)LIST-II (Description)
A. Classical EthnographyI. Ethnographer is overtly insinuates into the writing
B. Mainstream EthnographyII. Written with a general audience in mind
C. Postmodern EthnographyIII. Written for a wider constituency of social scientists
D. Public EthnographyIV. Written to provide a persuasive account of a setting

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
Solution:A. Classical Ethnography - IV. Written to provide a persuasive account of a setting: Classical ethnographies, such as those by Malinowski or Evans-Pritchard, were written to offer detailed and coherent portrayals of cultural settings, aiming to persuade the reader about the reality of the described society.
B. Mainstream Ethnography - III. Written for a wider constituency of social scientists: Mainstream ethnography is more academic, targeting interdisciplinary social science audiences, focusing on theory-building and methodological rigor.
C. Postmodern Ethnography - I. Ethnographer is overtly insinuates into the writing: Postmodern ethnography, influenced by critiques in the 1980s, emphasizes the subjectivity of the ethnographer, questioning the idea of neutral observation, and includes the ethnographer's voice and positionality.
 D.  Public Ethnography - II. Written with a general audience in mind: Public ethnographies are aimed at non-academic readers, making anthropological insights accessible and engaging, often to influence public discourse or policy.

33. Arrange the units in terms of their size (large to small)

A. Tribe
B. Phratry
C. Moiety
D. Clan
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A, C, B, D
Solution:The correct descending order of size of kinship/social units is:
A. Tribe: Largest unit, consisting of multiple clans and often covering an entire ethnic or cultural group.
C. Moiety: A tribe may be divided into two moieties, each of wi.ich is an exogamous group.
B. Phratry: A group of several related clans, larger than a clan but smaller than a moiety.
D. Clan: A unilineal descent group, smallest in this sequence, often tracing lineage from a common ancestor.

34. Frugivorous are the animals that eat a diet composed mainly of ......... .

Correct Answer: 3. Fruits
Solution:Frugivorous animals are those whose diets are primarily composed of fruits. This category includes many primates (like chimpanzees and orangutans), birds (like toucans and hornbills), and bats (like fruit bats). Fruit is rich in sugar and fiber, making it a valuable energy source. Frugivory is often associated with seed dispersal, as these animals help in spreading seeds through their feces.

35. Which of the following statements about ancient human DNA research are correct?

A. Svante Paabo is pioneer in ancient DNA research.
B. The most important challenge in ancient DNA research is contamination with environmental DNA.
C. Compromises the quality and quantity of DNA for research.
D. The protocol for DNA extraction in ancient DNA and modern human DNA is always same.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. А, В and C only
Solution:A. Svante Pääbo is pioneer in ancient DNA research: Pääbo is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who pioneered ancient DNA extraction, especially from Neanderthal and Denisovan remains.
B. The most important challenge in ancient DNA research is contamination with environmental DNA: Ancient samples are often degraded and susceptible to contamination from microbes, modern humans, and environment, making sterile conditions essential.
C. Compromises the quality and quantity of DNA for research: Over time, DNA breaks down into small fragments, making recovery and sequencing difficult. UV, heat, and chemical reactions cause degradation.
D. The protocol for DNA extraction in ancient DNA and modern human DNA is always same is incorrect because ancient DNA requires specialized techniques (like clean rooms, UV sterilization, and specific amplification methods).

36. If a researcher monitored how long a person kept laughing after listening to a joke, the data collection would involve:

Correct Answer: 2. continuous real time sampling
Solution:In continuous real-time sampling, the observer records behavior as it occurs, in its entirety, with precise timing. If a researcher monitors how long a person keeps laughing after hearing a joke, they are recording the duration of the behavior as it unfolds, without interruptions, which matches the definition of continuous realtime sampling. This method is highly accurate for capturing start-to-end durations of specific behaviors, like laughing, crying, or talking.

37. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg principle can be caused by:

A. Assortative mating
B. Recent migration
C. Consanguine mating
D. Random mating
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. А, В and C only
Solution:A. Assortative mating: This is non-random mating where individuals mate based on similar traits (e.g., height, ethnicity), which violates the random mating assumption of the Hardy-Weinberg principle.
В. Recent migration: Introduces new alleles into a population or changes allele frequencies, disrupting Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium through gene flow.
C. Consanguine mating: Mating between relatives increases homozygosity, reducing genetic variability and deviating from HardyWeinberg expectations.
D. Random mating does not cause deviation; it is a required condition for maintaining Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Thus, only A, B, and C lead to deviation.

38. Indian prehistoric sites located from the geographical West to East:

A. Adamgarh                         B. Birbhanpur
C. Daojali Hading                D. Langhnaj
E. Lekhahia
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. D, A, E, В, C
Solution:To correctly arrange Indian prehistoric sites from geographical west to east, we need to assess their physical locations:
D. Langhnaj - Gujarat (Western India)
A. Adamgarh - Madhya Pradesh (Central India)
E. Lekhahia - Uttar Pradesh (Eastern-Central India)
B. Birbhanpur - West Bengal (Eastern India)
C. Daojali Hading - Assam (Far-Eastern India)
So, the west-to-east sequence is: Langhnaj → Adamgarh → Lekhahia → Birbhanpur → Daojali
Hading, which matches Option 4: D, A, E, B, C.

39. The Trobrianders produced many more yams than they were able to consume in order to ........

Correct Answer: 2. Display them to neighbours
Solution:Among the Trobrianders of the Trobriand Islands (studied by Bronislaw Malinowski), yam production is not only for consumption but primarily for display and exchange.

Yams are often gifted or showcased to neighbours or political allies, symbolizing status, generosity, and alliances. This act is part of prestige economy, where wealth and surplus are used to build social capital and influence, especially in competitive ceremonial exchanges.

40. According to Bourdieu, the notion that describes, how society manages to shape individual strategies is referred to as:

Correct Answer: 3. Habitus
Solution:Pierre Bourdieu's concept of "habitus" refers to the system of dispositions-habits, attitudes, behaviors-socially ingrained through life experiences. Habitus shapes individual strategies, thoughts, and actions, even though people may think they are acting independently.

It reflects how society subtly conditions people to behave in line with existing structures and norms, often unconsciously. It is not a fixed trait but dynamic, shaped through social structures, history, and personal background.