UPSC Mains Anthropology Optional Questions – Test 3 : Mains Marathon

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We are releasing the 3rd Mains Marathon Anthropology Optional Test/Question Bank for Anthropology Optional for answer writing practice.

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed in ENGLISH only. Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Questions no 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section, the number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches/maps and diagrams wherever considered necessary.

SECTION A

Q1. WRITE NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING IN ABOUT 150 WORDS EACH:        10*5=50 M

a. Totemism

b. Post modernism

c. Culture circles

d. Symbolism

e. Contributions of E. Leach

Q2.  a. Critically comment on the approach of Franz Boas in his approach towards the study of culture in a society. Briefly mention the differences between ethnocentric approach and cultural relativism. 15 M

b. What is religion according to E.B.Tylor? Mention the differences between magic, religion and science. 15 M

c. Mention different religious functionaries in a primitive society and briefly explain the role of them in a primitive society. 10 M

Q3. a. Define religion. Explain various anthropological approaches to study religion with examples. 15 M

b. What is structural functionalism? Examine the approach of Radcliffe brown to study the culture of society in comparison with Functionalism of Malinowski. 15 M

c. What are myths and rituals? Discuss the relevance of them in the contemporary society with examples. 10 M

Q4. a. What is cultural materialism? Briefly mention the contribution of Harris to the study of culture of a society. 10 M

b. Bring out the outlines of diffusionism approach towards the study of a society with particular focus on British diffusionists. Briefly mention how diffusionism approach differs with evolutionism approach in study of culture. 15 M

c. Discuss various forms of religion. Bring out major changes of religion in a progress from primitive religion to modern religion. 15 M

SECTION B

Q5. WRITE NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING IN ABOUT 150 WORDS EACH:        10*5=50 M

a. Shamanism

b. New ethnography

c. Sacred and Profane

d. Culture Parallels

e.Contributions of Radcliffe Brown to anthropology

Q6. a. Discuss the culture personality approach towards the study of the society with emphasis on the contributions of Margaret Mead. 15 M

b. What is neo- evolutionism? Briefly outline the approach of Sahlin and Service towards the study of neo- evolution. 15 M

c. Critically examine the role of religion in contemporary tribal societies of India. 10 M

Q7. a. What is structuralism according to Levis- Strauss? Bring out the major criticisms of the theory of structuralism 15 M

b. Explain various contributions to Geertz towards anthropology. 10 M

c. What is the concept of multi-linear evolution? Mention the major differences between classical evolution and neo-evolution. 15 M

Q8. a. What is cognitive anthropology? Mention the importance of cognitive approach towards different aspects of the society according to Tyler. 15 M

b. Explain the importance of anthropology in the study of religion. Also mention with examples how anthropological approach changed the view towards religion in a primitive society. 10 M

c. Explain the concept of theory of needs. Mention how functionalism approach of Malinowski defines the evolution of culture in a society. 15 M

All Mains Marathon Optional Questions are updated in this page.