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

Total Questions: 100

41. The correct sequence of the S-curve in the human vertebral column due to the evolution of bipedalism is:

(a) Lumbar Curve
(b) Pelvic Curve
(c) Thoracic Curve
(d) Cervical Curve
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: B. (d), (c), (a), (b)
Solution:The correct sequence of the S-curve in the human vertebral column, due to the evolution of bipedalism:

• Cervical Curve
• Thoracic Curve
• Lumbar Curve
• Pelvic Curve
The cervical curve helps support the head, the thoracic curve accommodates the rib cage, the lumbar curve supports the weight of the upper body and is crucial for bipedal posture, and the pelvic curve is involved in stabilizing the pelvis during upright walking. This S-shaped curvature allows for efficient weight distribution and balance during bipedal locomotion, making it a distinctive feature of human evolution. The other sequences do not accurately represent the anatomical order of the vertebral curves.

Hence, the correct sequence is (d), (c), (a), (b).

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

Assertion (A): Cultural ecologists like Andrew Vayda and Roy Rappaport tried to incorporate principles of biological ecology into the study of cultural ecology in order to make a single science of ecology

Reason (R): In their view, culture traits, just like biological traits, can be considered adaptive or maladaptive.

In the light of the above statements. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:Both the assertion (A) that cultural ecologists like Andrew Vayda and Roy Rappaport tried to incorporate principles of biological ecology into the study of cultural ecology, and the reason (R) that culture traits can be considered adaptive or maladaptiv like biological traits, are true. However, (R) is not the direct explanation of (A). Vayda and Rappaport sought to unify the study of ecological principles by applying them to both biologi

cal and cultural systems, recognizing that cultural practices could impact ecological balance. Their approach acknowledged the adaptability of cultural traits, but the main goal was to integrate ecological principles into cultural analysis, making (R) relevant but not the direct reason for (A).

43. Marriage between partners who are status equals and occurs in cultures where gender roles are viewed as holding equal value is known as:

Correct Answer: C. Isogamy
Solution:Isogamy refers to marriage between partners who are status equals and occurs in cultures where gender roles are viewed as holding equal value. This form of marriage emphasizes equality between partners in terms of social status, wealth, and responsibilities.

Ideal monogamy refers to a lifelong exclusive partnership, hypogamy involves marrying someone of lower status, and monogamy generally refers to marriage with one partner at a time without specifying status equality. Isogamy specifically addresses the concept of equal status and value in gender roles, making it the correct term for such marriages.

44. Verrier Elwin worked with which of following tribes?

(a) Bondos
(b) Agarias
(c) Bharias
(d) Chenchus
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: D. (a) and (b) only
Solution:Verrier Elwin worked with the Bondos and Agarias tribes. Elwin was an anthropologist and missionary who dedicated his life to studying and advocating for the rights and welfare of tribal communities in India.

His extensive fieldwork and publications on the Bondos, known for their distinct cultural practices and traditional way of life, and the Agarias, an iron-smelting community, highlighted their unique cultural heritage and the challenges they faced. Although he interacted with other tribes, his significant contributions were among these groups. The Bharias and Chenchus were not the primary focus of his work, making the answer specific to the Bondos and Agarias.

45. Match List-I with List-II

(Provision)(Article)
(a) Equality of opportunity in the matters of Public employmentI. 46
(b) Abolition of UntouchabilityII. 29
(c) Protection of interest of MinoritiesIII. 16
(d) Tribal Safeguards which offer them promotion in respect of education and economyIV. 17

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: D.
Solution:The matching pairs are:
• Equality of opportunity in public employment corresponds to Article 16, ensuring equal access to jobs without discrimination.
• Abolition of untouchability corresponds to Article 17, prohibiting the practice of untouchability in any form.
• Protection of interest of minorities corresponds to Article 29, safeguarding cultural and educational rights of minorities.
• Tribal safeguards corresponds to Article 46, promoting the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections. These matches align the constitutional provisions with their respective articles accurately.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

46. The study of flows of culture and population across national borders is called:

Correct Answer: B. Transnationalism
Solution:Transnationalism is the study of flows of culture and population across national borders. It examines how people, ideas, and cultural practices move and interact globally, creating interconnectedness beyond geographical boundaries.

Cultural globalization broadly encompasses the spread of cultural elements globally, diaspora studies focus on dispersed communities maintaining connections with their homeland, and migration studies examine the movement of people. Transnationalism specifically addresses the dynamic and reciprocal cultural exchanges that occur across national borders, making it the correct term for this field of study.

47. Which of the following sub families represent New World Monkeys?

(a) Cebinae
(b) Aotinae
(c) Atelinae
(d) Colobinae
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (a), (b) and (c) only
Solution:The subfamilies that represent New World Monkeys include:
• Cebinae
• Aotinae and
• Atelinae

New World Monkeys are found in Central and South America and are characterized by features such as prehensile tails, broad noses with outward-facing nostrils, and a more arboreal lifestyle compared to Old World Monkeys.

Colobinae are part of the Old World Monkeys, found in Africa and Asia, and possess different adaptations like a sacculated stomach for digesting fibrous plant material. Therefore, the correct answer includes only the subfamilies of New World Monkeys.

48. Homo naledi was discovered from:

Correct Answer: D. Rising Star Cave, South Africa
Solution:Homo naledi was discovered in the Rising Star Cave in South Africa. This significant find, announced in 2015, provided new insights into human evolution due to the combination of primitive and modern traits in the skeletal remains. The Rising Star Cave yielded numerous fossils, making it one of the richest hominin sites in Africa.

Olduvai Gorge in East Africa, Zoukoudian in China, and Sterkfontein in South Africa are notable paleoanthropological sites, but the discovery of Homo naledi specifically took place in the Rising Star Cave.

49. Arrange the following human economic activities in terms of their emergence:

(a) Swidden cultivation
(b) Industrial production
(c) Agriculture
(d) Foraging
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (d), (a), (c), (b)
Solution:Arranging the human economic activities in terms of their emergence:
• Foraging is the earliest economic activity, involving hunting and gathering.
• Swidden cultivation, or slash-and-burn agriculture, developed as humans began to practice early forms of farming.
• Agriculture involves more permanent and intensive farming practices, marking a significant shift in human subsistence strategies.
• Industrial production represents the latest development, characterized by mass production and advanced technology. The correct sequence from earliest to latest is foraging, swidden cultivation, agriculture, and industrial production.

Hence, the correct sequence is (d), (a), (c), (b).

50. Match List-I with List-II

LIST-ILIST-II
(a) August WeissmanI. Natural Selection
(b) Charles DarwinII. Mutation
(c) Hugo de VriesIII. Inheritance of acquired characters
(d) Jean-Baptiste LamarckIV. Continuation of Germ plasm

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C.
Solution:The matching pairs are:
• August Weissman corresponds to the continuation of the germ plasm, emphasizing that inheritance is carried by germ cells.
• Charles Darwin is associated with natural selection, explaining the mechanism of evolution through differential survival and reproduction,
• Hugo de Vries proposed the mutation theory, highlighting sudden genetic changes as a source of variation.
• Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is known for the inheritance of acquired characters, suggesting that traits acquired during an organism's life can be passed to offspring.

These matches accurately reflect their contributions to evolutionary theory.