Weeks 7-12 Quiz 2 PDF
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This document contains quiz questions on various anthropological concepts, including myths, legends, kinship systems, and rites of passage. The questions cover different aspects of cultural practices and beliefs, relating to social structures and societal interactions.
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**Question 41:** What is a **myth**, and how is it distinct from a legend?\ a) A myth is based on factual events, while a legend is fictional.\ b) A myth is sacred and set in a distant past, while a legend is tied to historical events.\ c) A myth focuses on secular narratives, while a legend is alw...
**Question 41:** What is a **myth**, and how is it distinct from a legend?\ a) A myth is based on factual events, while a legend is fictional.\ b) A myth is sacred and set in a distant past, while a legend is tied to historical events.\ c) A myth focuses on secular narratives, while a legend is always spiritual.\ d) A myth is intended for entertainment, while a legend educates on morality.\ e) Myths and legends are interchangeable and indistinguishable in anthropology. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Myths are sacred narratives set in a distant, often non-human past, while legends are tied to historical or recent events with human characters. **Question 42:** What does the term **consanguineal kin** refer to?\ a) Relatives connected by marriage.\ b) Relatives connected by shared residence.\ c) Relatives connected by biological ties.\ d) Relatives connected by cultural adoption.\ e) Relatives connected through ritual practices. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Consanguineal kin are relatives connected through blood ties, in contrast to affinal kin, who are related through marriage. **Question 43:** What is the **law of similarity** in magic?\ a) Objects that have been in contact retain a connection.\ b) Rituals that mimic a desired outcome can influence reality.\ c) Sacred objects hold inherent magical power.\ d) Names of individuals can control their behavior.\ e) Opposing forces neutralize each other in spiritual rituals. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** The law of similarity states that imitative magic works by mimicking the desired outcome, such as creating a doll resembling a person to influence them. **Question 44:** What is the **main characteristic of chiefdoms** compared to tribes?\ a) Chiefdoms rely on informal leadership and consensus-building.\ b) Chiefdoms have centralized authority and social stratification.\ c) Chiefdoms emphasize complete equality in resource distribution.\ d) Chiefdoms function without any hierarchical structure.\ e) Chiefdoms are primarily egalitarian and kin-based. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Chiefdoms have centralized authority, typically with hereditary leadership, and a ranked social structure, unlike the kin-based organization of tribes. **Question 45:** What is **generalized reciprocity**, and where is it commonly found?\ a) The immediate exchange of goods and services for equal value.\ b) A delayed and altruistic exchange with no expectation of immediate return.\ c) A formalized economic system involving taxation.\ d) A competitive redistribution of wealth to assert social dominance.\ e) An impersonal trade agreement between unrelated groups. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Generalized reciprocity involves sharing goods or services without an immediate expectation of return, commonly seen in egalitarian societies like the Ju/'hoansi. **Question 46:** What is the **function of rites of passage**?\ a) To redistribute resources among different social classes.\ b) To mark and facilitate an individual's transition between life stages.\ c) To establish a formal hierarchy within the community.\ d) To reinforce myths and legends through communal storytelling.\ e) To ensure economic stability through ceremonial exchanges. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rites of passage signify key life transitions, such as coming of age, marriage, or death, and help integrate individuals into their new roles within society. **Question 47:** What is the purpose of **secular rituals** in society?\ a) To enforce religious doctrines and moral frameworks.\ b) To signify the importance of spiritual connections.\ c) To create collective meaning and reinforce social cohesion.\ d) To mark transitions between spiritual states of being.\ e) To establish dominance over competing cultural groups. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Secular rituals, such as graduation ceremonies or national anthems, reinforce shared values and unity without a spiritual component. **Question 48:** How does **displacement** differentiate human language from animal communication?\ a) Displacement allows communication about present and observable events only.\ b) Displacement restricts communication to specific survival needs.\ c) Displacement enables discussion of events beyond the immediate time and place.\ d) Displacement limits the vocabulary used in everyday conversations.\ e) Displacement refers to non-verbal cues in human communication. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Displacement in human language allows discussion of abstract concepts, past or future events, and hypothetical scenarios, unlike animal communication systems. **Question 49:** What is **generalized exchange** in kinship systems?\ a) A direct exchange of goods or services between two individuals.\ b) A competitive display of wealth to assert dominance.\ c) A system of exchange where gifts or services circulate within a larger group.\ d) A market-based trade system relying on monetary transactions.\ e) An exchange restricted to immediate family members. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Generalized exchange involves the circulation of resources or services within a community, fostering interconnectedness and reciprocity among members. **Question 50:** Which of the following is an example of **cultural diffusion**?\ a) The integration of Christianity into Maisin rituals.\ b) The independent invention of agricultural techniques.\ c) The loss of traditional ecological knowledge due to language death.\ d) The rigid enforcement of endogamous marriage rules.\ e) The shift from subsistence gardening to market economies. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** Cultural diffusion occurs when elements of one culture, such as Christianity, are adopted and integrated into another culture's practices, as seen in Maisin society. **Question 51:** What is a **ranked society** characterized by?\ a) Unequal access to economic resources but equal access to power.\ b) Equal access to economic resources and power, but unequal access to status.\ c) A rigid caste system that prohibits social mobility.\ d) Hierarchical social stratification with unequal access to all resources.\ e) No formal leadership or authority structures. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Ranked societies have equality in access to economic resources and power but exhibit inequality in prestige or status, often determined by lineage or ceremonial roles. **Question 52:** What does **achieved status** depend on?\ a) Birthright and lineage.\ b) Gender and kinship roles.\ c) Personal effort and accomplishments.\ d) Religious affiliations within a community.\ e) Inheritance of wealth or property. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Achieved status is earned through individual efforts, skills, or accomplishments, in contrast to ascribed status, which is determined by birth. **Question 53:** What is **horticulture** as a subsistence strategy?\ a) Large-scale agricultural production for export markets.\ b) Small-scale farming using simple tools and methods.\ c) Intensive irrigation and mechanization for maximum yield.\ d) Pastoralism involving the domestication of animals.\ e) Foraging for wild plants and animals in natural habitats. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Horticulture involves small-scale, low-tech farming, often relying on slash-and-burn methods, and is commonly practiced in tribal societies. **Question 54:** How does the **Maisin concept of reciprocity** manifest in their society?\ a) Through formalized taxation systems that redistribute wealth.\ b) Through symbolic exchanges of prestige items like tapa cloth.\ c) Through competitive feasts that assert dominance over rival clans.\ d) Through intergenerational land inheritance practices.\ e) Through exclusive trade agreements with neighboring villages. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Reciprocity in Maisin society is evident in the ceremonial exchange of tapa cloth, reinforcing social ties and communal values. **Question 55:** What is the purpose of the **Trobriand Islanders' Kula exchange**?\ a) To redistribute economic resources within a single community.\ b) To promote intergroup competition and territorial dominance.\ c) To establish and maintain social relationships through ceremonial trade.\ d) To formalize marriage alliances between clans.\ e) To accumulate personal wealth and social status. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Kula exchange involves the ceremonial trade of shell necklaces and armbands, fostering alliances and social bonds among participants. **Question 56:** What defines **foraging** as a mode of subsistence?\ a) The cultivation of crops using advanced irrigation systems.\ b) The intensive domestication of plants and animals.\ c) Reliance on wild resources like plants, animals, and fish.\ d) The establishment of permanent agricultural settlements.\ e) The seasonal trade of surplus goods with neighboring groups. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Foraging relies on the collection of wild resources, such as hunting and gathering, and is characteristic of small, mobile groups like the San people. **Question 57:** What is a **caste system**, and how does it function?\ a) A hierarchical system based on wealth and merit, allowing mobility.\ b) An informal grouping that changes based on social circumstances.\ c) A rigid social stratification system tied to birth and occupation.\ d) A fluid structure emphasizing individual achievements.\ e) A system of alliances based on kinship and reciprocity. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** A caste system is a rigid hierarchy where social status is determined by birth and occupation, with little to no mobility between groups. **Question 58:** What is the primary goal of **rites of intensification**?\ a) To reinforce individual identity within a social group.\ b) To celebrate seasonal or communal events and strengthen group cohesion.\ c) To establish new trade routes with neighboring groups.\ d) To commemorate the achievements of specific individuals.\ e) To mark the separation of spiritual and secular life. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rites of intensification are communal rituals performed during events like harvests or crises, fostering solidarity and shared identity. **Question 59:** What is **mana**, as understood in Polynesian societies?\ a) A physical manifestation of ancestral spirits.\ b) A supernatural force or power present in people, objects, and places.\ c) A ceremonial act of redistributing wealth and resources.\ d) A cosmological narrative explaining the origin of the universe.\ e) A sacred location used for religious rituals and offerings. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Mana is a supernatural force believed to imbue people, objects, and places with power, legitimizing social authority and spiritual significance. **Question 60:** What is the **main function of leveling mechanisms** in egalitarian societies?\ a) To maintain economic equality and prevent dominance by any individual.\ b) To redistribute surplus resources through ceremonial taxation.\ c) To enforce laws and norms through centralized authority.\ d) To create competitive structures for leadership roles.\ e) To formalize trade agreements between groups. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** Leveling mechanisms, such as gossip or communal sharing, ensure equality by preventing individuals from accumulating excessive power or resources. **Question 61:** What distinguishes **animism** from other belief systems?\ a) It emphasizes a single omnipotent deity governing all aspects of life.\ b) It centers on spiritual beings inhabiting natural objects and phenomena.\ c) It relies on sacred texts to define rituals and moral codes.\ d) It excludes any form of ritual or symbolic representation.\ e) It is solely practiced in industrialized societies. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Animism is the belief that spiritual beings or forces inhabit natural objects and phenomena, reflecting interconnectedness between humans and nature. **Question 62:** How do **egalitarian societies** maintain balance and prevent inequality?\ a) Through centralized authority and formalized taxation.\ b) By ensuring leadership is inherited and power is consolidated.\ c) By using gossip and communal sharing as leveling mechanisms.\ d) Through strict enforcement of wealth redistribution laws.\ e) By limiting trade and external interactions to preserve cultural integrity. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Egalitarian societies use informal methods like gossip and communal sharing to prevent individuals from gaining excessive power or resources. **Question 63:** What is the purpose of **affinal kinship** in social systems?\ a) To strengthen biological ties within immediate families.\ b) To connect individuals through marriage rather than blood.\ c) To formalize trade alliances between neighboring communities.\ d) To establish territorial boundaries within a clan.\ e) To signify spiritual relationships within a religious group. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Affinal kinship refers to relationships formed through marriage, as opposed to consanguineal kinship, which is based on blood ties. **Question 64:** What is the **main characteristic of monogamy** as a marital system?\ a) It allows individuals to marry multiple partners simultaneously.\ b) It restricts marriage to individuals within the same social class.\ c) It involves a lifelong union with one partner at a time.\ d) It permits temporary unions for economic alliances.\ e) It is exclusively practiced in religious societies. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Monogamy refers to a marital system where individuals have only one spouse at a time, with many societies emphasizing romantic or legal exclusivity. **Question 65:** What is the **law of contagion** in magical beliefs?\ a) Objects that are similar in appearance share a mystical connection.\ b) Contact between objects transfers spiritual or magical properties.\ c) Rituals must mimic natural processes to achieve desired outcomes.\ d) Magic works only when performed during specific celestial events.\ e) Words spoken aloud can lose their mystical potency. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** The law of contagion holds that once two objects come into contact, they retain a magical connection even after separation. **Question 66:** Which of the following is an example of **cultural assimilation**?\ a) Indigenous groups incorporating Christianity into their spiritual practices.\ b) The complete adoption of the dominant culture's language and traditions.\ c) Groups sharing agricultural techniques through trade and interaction.\ d) The creation of hybrid cultural practices blending traditional and modern elements.\ e) Societies maintaining distinct practices while participating in shared economies. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Assimilation occurs when minority groups adopt the dominant culture\'s language, traditions, and practices, often losing their own cultural identity. **Question 67:** What defines **pastoralism** as a subsistence strategy?\ a) Dependence on hunting and gathering for survival.\ b) Cultivation of crops using advanced irrigation techniques.\ c) Reliance on domesticated animals for food, labor, and trade.\ d) Large-scale agricultural production for export.\ e) Seasonal trade of surplus goods between distant communities. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Pastoralism centers on the domestication and herding of animals, often in environments unsuitable for agriculture, providing food, labor, and trade goods. **Question 68:** What is a **legend**, and how does it function within a culture?\ a) A fictional tale designed solely for entertainment purposes.\ b) A sacred narrative explaining cosmological origins.\ c) A story believed to be true, set in a historical or contemporary context.\ d) A philosophical account addressing moral dilemmas.\ e) A ceremonial song passed down to preserve oral traditions. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Legends are stories believed to be factual and are often tied to historical events or real-world settings, serving to reinforce cultural identity. **Question 69:** What distinguishes **rites of separation** from other stages in rites of passage?\ a) They focus on reintegrating individuals into society with a new identity.\ b) They mark the symbolic removal of an individual from their previous status.\ c) They emphasize the liminal phase of transition and uncertainty.\ d) They celebrate the culmination of a ceremonial cycle.\ e) They involve purely secular rituals devoid of cultural symbolism. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rites of separation symbolically remove individuals from their previous status, marking the beginning of a transition to a new social role. **Question 70:** What is the purpose of **kula exchanges** in the Trobriand Islands?\ a) To establish competitive dominance over rival groups.\ b) To sustain local economies through trade of staple goods.\ c) To create lasting social and political alliances through ceremonial exchange.\ d) To redistribute wealth among kinship groups within a village.\ e) To formalize marriage contracts between neighboring clans. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Kula exchanges involve the ceremonial trade of valuables like shell necklaces and armbands, fostering social and political ties across communities. **Question 71:** What is the **primary function of endogamy** in societies?\ a) To foster alliances between different social groups.\ b) To preserve cultural identity and maintain group boundaries.\ c) To prevent hereditary disorders through genetic diversity.\ d) To establish wealth-sharing networks between clans.\ e) To ensure equality in marital decision-making. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Endogamy involves marrying within one's group to maintain cultural identity, social cohesion, and resource continuity. **Question 72:** What is a **fraternal polyandry** marriage system?\ a) A marriage in which a single man has multiple wives simultaneously.\ b) A marriage where multiple brothers share a single wife.\ c) A system where marriages are determined by economic exchanges.\ d) A relationship where partners marry solely for political alliances.\ e) A temporary marriage that dissolves after fulfilling specific goals. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Fraternal polyandry involves brothers collectively marrying one wife, often to preserve family resources and maintain unity. **Question 73:** What is the **liminal stage** in a rite of passage?\ a) The phase where individuals are reintegrated into society with a new identity.\ b) The initial stage of separation from a previous status or role.\ c) The transitional phase where individuals exist between social statuses.\ d) The conclusion of the ritual, signifying stability and completion.\ e) The stage focused exclusively on symbolic representations. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The liminal stage is the middle phase of a rite of passage, where individuals are in a state of transition and ambiguity before achieving their new status. **Question 74:** What is the **role of shamans** in animistic societies?\ a) To provide full-time religious leadership and formal training.\ b) To mediate between humans and the spiritual world, often for healing.\ c) To perform rituals exclusively focused on material prosperity.\ d) To organize and oversee large-scale religious ceremonies.\ e) To establish legal frameworks based on spiritual principles. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Shamans are part-time religious specialists who mediate between humans and spirits, often entering altered states of consciousness to heal or guide their communities. **Question 75:** What is **redistribution**, and how is it practiced in ranked societies?\ a) The informal sharing of goods within egalitarian groups.\ b) The competitive exchange of wealth to establish dominance.\ c) The collection and redistribution of resources by a central authority.\ d) The barter of goods and services between individuals of equal rank.\ e) The exclusive exchange of resources within family units. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Redistribution involves collecting resources, often by leaders or chiefs, and reallocating them to reinforce social hierarchies and communal relationships. **Question 76:** What is a **folktale**, and how does it differ from myths and legends?\ a) Folktales are sacred and set in a distant, non-human past.\ b) Folktales are believed to be factual and tied to historical events.\ c) Folktales are fictional and often teach moral lessons or entertain.\ d) Folktales focus on cosmological explanations of the universe.\ e) Folktales exclusively involve supernatural beings or forces. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Folktales are fictional stories told primarily for entertainment or moral education, unlike myths or legends, which are often viewed as factual or sacred. **Question 77:** What is the **primary purpose of sorcery** in societies like the Maisin?\ a) To strengthen economic alliances between rival groups.\ b) To explain and resolve misfortune through spiritual means.\ c) To enforce legal norms through formalized rituals.\ d) To redistribute resources during times of scarcity.\ e) To establish hereditary leadership within clans. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Sorcery in societies like the Maisin is used to explain misfortunes and provide a socially recognized way to address grievances or restore balance. **Question 78:** What is the **basis of kinship in patrilineal societies**?\ a) Descent and inheritance are traced through the mother's line.\ b) Descent and inheritance are traced through the father's line.\ c) Kinship is determined by residence patterns after marriage.\ d) Kinship is established through ceremonial exchanges and rituals.\ e) Kinship is entirely symbolic and not tied to biological relationships. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** In patrilineal societies, descent and inheritance are traced through the father's lineage, emphasizing the role of male ancestors and kin. **Question 79:** What is the **function of the poison oracle** in Azande society?\ a) To identify witches and resolve disputes.\ b) To predict agricultural success and weather patterns.\ c) To mediate between rival clans through symbolic rituals.\ d) To provide moral guidance and spiritual blessings.\ e) To enforce social norms through communal storytelling. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** The poison oracle is a central tool in Azande society, used to identify witches, address grievances, and resolve disputes by consulting supernatural forces. **Question 80:** What is **traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)**, and why is it significant?\ a) A universal system of environmental management practices.\ b) Knowledge of ecosystems derived from scientific experimentation.\ c) Indigenous knowledge of sustainable resource use passed down culturally.\ d) A modern framework for balancing economic growth and conservation.\ e) An abstract philosophical approach to understanding nature. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** TEK encompasses Indigenous knowledge systems about ecosystems, sustainability, and resource management, preserving critical environmental insights across generations.