6(a) What is acclimatization ? Discuss adaptive responses to high altitude and cold climate.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Man's physiological responses to environmental stresses
2021 · Paper I
Anthropology Optional Paper I PYQ 2021
Explore 28 official UPSC Anthropology Optional 2021 Paper I questions, organised by section, marks, syllabus and topic. Model answers are coming soon.
Q1(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Animism and Deep Ecology
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Forms of religion > Animism
Anthropology of Religion
Q1(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Marriage Regulations and Alliance Theory
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Rules of marriage; alliance theory
Marriage & Family
Q1(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Historical Particularism and Franz Boas
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism (Boas)
Anthropological Theories
Q1(d)
10 Marks 150 words Answer Coming Soon
“The bio-cultural approach is the hallmark of Biological Anthropology.” Explain.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology > Biological Anthropology
Foundations of Anthropology
Q1(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Thermoluminescence (TL) dating
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q2(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
What are the physical and cultural characteristics of Homo erectus ? Discuss its phylogenetic status.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q2(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Elucidate the concept of “thick description” of Clifford Geertz with a suitable example.
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Interpretive Anthropology > Geertz
Anthropological Theories
Q2(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Describe the features of early farming cultures and Neolithic of the Near East.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q3(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
How do political organisations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy ?
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Power, authority and legitimacy
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q3(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Explain the genetic mechanisms of micro and macro evolution.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Evolutionary mechanisms
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q3(c)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Discuss the salient features of different traditions of European Mesolithic.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Mesolithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q4(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Elaborate the scope of anthropology and elucidate its uniqueness in the field of other social sciences.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences
Foundations of Anthropology
Q4(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Mention the major branches of linguistic anthropology and discuss language use in social and cultural settings.
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Social context of language use
Culture & Society
Q4(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
“Chromosomal aberrations can play havoc with the human body and mind.” Explain with suitable examples.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Human adolescent growth spurt
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Stages of growth > Adolescence
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
The losses and gains of erect posture
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Skeletal changes due to erect posture
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q5(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Is race a valid and biologically meaningful concept ?
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Biological basis of racial classification
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Q5(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Modes of Subsistence
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q6(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
What is acclimatization ? Discuss adaptive responses to high altitude and cold climate.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Man's physiological responses to environmental stresses
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q6(b)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
How are the cases of disputed paternity solved ? Discuss the recent techniques.
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Applied human genetics > Paternity diagnosis
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q6(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically evaluate Lewis Morgan's classification of family.
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.4 Family > Types and classification of the family
Marriage & Family
Q7(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Critically evaluate different types of social stratifications with suitable examples.
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification
Culture & Society
Q7(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the bio-social determinants of fertility and fecundity.
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q7(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
What is Anthropometry ? Discuss its role in assessing the nutritional status and sports capability of a person.
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology of sports; nutritional anthropology
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q8(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Discuss various tools of data collection in conducting anthropological research.
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection
Research Methods in Anthropology
Q8(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the physiological and evolutionary theories of aging.
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence > Theories of ageing
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q8(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Explain the structural analysis of kinship as proposed by Lévi-Strauss.
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Alliance theory; structuralism
Kinship
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2021 — Paper I
28 questions1(a) Animism and Deep Ecology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Forms of religion > Animism
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology of sports; nutritional anthropology
1(d) “The bio-cultural approach is the hallmark of Biological Anthropology.” Explain.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology > Biological Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Social context of language use
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man
2(b) Elucidate the concept of “thick description” of Clifford Geertz with a suitable example.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Interpretive Anthropology > Geertz
5(d) Descent Groups
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent groups
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Applied human genetics > Paternity diagnosis
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Evolutionary mechanisms
1(c) Historical Particularism and Franz Boas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism (Boas)
5(a) Human adolescent growth spurt
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Stages of growth > Adolescence
5(c) Is race a valid and biologically meaningful concept ?
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Biological basis of racial classification
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Alliance theory; structuralism
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.4 Family > Types and classification of the family
1(b) Marriage Regulations and Alliance Theory
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Rules of marriage; alliance theory
5(e) Modes of Subsistence
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence > Theories of ageing
3(a) How do political organisations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy ?
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Power, authority and legitimacy
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences
5(b) The losses and gains of erect posture
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Skeletal changes due to erect posture
1(e) Thermoluminescence (TL) dating
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification