Q.1 In cultural anthropology, what is the primary function of symbols in a society?
To represent abstract ideas
To entertain people
To record historical events
To control the weather
Explanation - Symbols in anthropology are used to convey complex and abstract ideas, often representing beliefs, values, or social norms.
Correct answer is: To represent abstract ideas
Q.2 Which of the following is an example of a religious symbol?
National flag
Cross
Currency notes
Traffic light
Explanation - The cross is a symbol widely recognized as representing Christianity and its associated beliefs.
Correct answer is: Cross
Q.3 What is the term for a belief that sacred objects or rituals have supernatural power?
Animism
Totemism
Magic
Fetishism
Explanation - Fetishism refers to the belief that certain objects possess inherent supernatural powers.
Correct answer is: Fetishism
Q.4 Which anthropologist is famous for studying religion and symbolic systems in Balinese culture?
Clifford Geertz
Bronisław Malinowski
Franz Boas
Margaret Mead
Explanation - Geertz studied religion and culture in Bali, emphasizing the interpretive function of symbols.
Correct answer is: Clifford Geertz
Q.5 In some cultures, wearing a particular color during ceremonies represents:
Aesthetic preference
Social status or spiritual meaning
Random choice
Economic wealth only
Explanation - Colors often carry symbolic meanings in rituals and ceremonies, such as purity, mourning, or status.
Correct answer is: Social status or spiritual meaning
Q.6 Totemism primarily involves:
Belief in animal spirits linked to social groups
Worship of multiple gods
Ancestor worship only
Ritual sacrifices for crops
Explanation - Totemism is the belief in a spiritual connection between a group or clan and a particular natural entity, often an animal.
Correct answer is: Belief in animal spirits linked to social groups
Q.7 Which of these best describes 'ritual' in cultural anthropology?
A repeated social practice with symbolic meaning
A casual social gathering
A daily routine with no meaning
A legal proceeding
Explanation - Rituals are structured and repeated acts that carry symbolic significance within a culture.
Correct answer is: A repeated social practice with symbolic meaning
Q.8 The concept of 'mana' in certain Polynesian cultures refers to:
Supernatural force or spiritual power
A type of ritual dance
A local festival
A kind of food offering
Explanation - 'Mana' is believed to be a supernatural force inherent in objects, people, or spirits.
Correct answer is: Supernatural force or spiritual power
Q.9 Which type of belief system attributes life to spirits in natural objects?
Animism
Polytheism
Monotheism
Fetishism
Explanation - Animism is the belief that natural objects, such as trees, rivers, and mountains, possess spirits or souls.
Correct answer is: Animism
Q.10 What role do myths play in cultural belief systems?
They explain the origins of the world and social norms
They are just fictional stories
They entertain children only
They serve as legal documents
Explanation - Myths convey foundational cultural narratives that explain cosmology, morals, and social structures.
Correct answer is: They explain the origins of the world and social norms
Q.11 Sacred symbols are considered important because:
They embody spiritual significance
They are visually appealing
They are used in commerce
They decorate homes
Explanation - Sacred symbols are valued for their spiritual meaning rather than aesthetic or commercial purposes.
Correct answer is: They embody spiritual significance
Q.12 Rituals often involve repetitive actions. This repetition is meant to:
Reinforce meaning and social cohesion
Reduce boredom
Show off wealth
Pass time during ceremonies
Explanation - Repetition in rituals strengthens shared beliefs and community identity.
Correct answer is: Reinforce meaning and social cohesion
Q.13 In cultural anthropology, what is a 'totem'?
An animal or natural object representing a group
A type of food ritual
A sacred text
A traditional song
Explanation - Totems serve as symbolic emblems of a clan, representing identity and spiritual connection.
Correct answer is: An animal or natural object representing a group
Q.14 Which term describes the belief in multiple deities?
Polytheism
Monotheism
Animism
Fetishism
Explanation - Polytheism refers to the worship of multiple gods or divine beings.
Correct answer is: Polytheism
Q.15 Magic, in a cultural context, is often defined as:
The use of supernatural techniques to influence events
Performing stage tricks for entertainment
Religious dogma
Philosophical debates
Explanation - Anthropologists define magic as ritualistic actions intended to produce desired outcomes through supernatural means.
Correct answer is: The use of supernatural techniques to influence events
Q.16 Which of the following best illustrates a cultural belief system?
A society that practices ancestor worship
A soccer team
A traffic regulation
A science experiment
Explanation - Belief systems organize ideas about the spiritual world and proper social behavior.
Correct answer is: A society that practices ancestor worship
Q.17 Symbols in rituals are powerful because they:
Carry deeper cultural and emotional meaning
Are expensive
Are mandated by law
Attract tourists
Explanation - Ritual symbols act as tangible representations of abstract beliefs, reinforcing cultural values.
Correct answer is: Carry deeper cultural and emotional meaning
Q.18 What is the difference between 'belief' and 'knowledge' in anthropology?
Belief is culturally constructed; knowledge is empirically verified
Belief is always false; knowledge is true
Belief is only religious; knowledge is scientific
They are the same
Explanation - Anthropologists distinguish belief as culturally informed assumptions, while knowledge is based on empirical evidence.
Correct answer is: Belief is culturally constructed; knowledge is empirically verified
Q.19 Which of the following is an example of a symbolic act in a ritual?
Lighting a candle to honor ancestors
Eating breakfast
Going to school
Driving a car
Explanation - Symbolic acts in rituals express values or beliefs, often connecting participants to spiritual or cultural meanings.
Correct answer is: Lighting a candle to honor ancestors
Q.20 Clifford Geertz’s approach to symbols emphasized:
Interpretation of meaning within cultural context
Economic functions of rituals
Political hierarchy analysis
Environmental determinism
Explanation - Geertz saw culture as a system of symbols that need to be interpreted to understand their significance.
Correct answer is: Interpretation of meaning within cultural context
Q.21 Which type of belief system often associates spiritual power with natural objects?
Animism
Atheism
Rationalism
Monotheism
Explanation - Animism attributes spiritual essence to natural objects such as rivers, mountains, or trees.
Correct answer is: Animism
Q.22 In some societies, taboo objects or actions are considered dangerous because they:
Violate social or spiritual rules
Are unpopular
Require hard work
Are expensive
Explanation - Taboos are culturally prohibited behaviors or objects believed to have negative consequences if not respected.
Correct answer is: Violate social or spiritual rules
Q.23 Which of the following is NOT typically considered a cultural symbol?
National flag
Ritual mask
Computer keyboard
Wedding ring
Explanation - Cultural symbols represent ideas or beliefs, while a keyboard is primarily a functional object without symbolic meaning.
Correct answer is: Computer keyboard
Q.24 The study of how societies interpret symbols and rituals is called:
Symbolic anthropology
Physical anthropology
Linguistic anthropology
Archaeology
Explanation - Symbolic anthropology focuses on understanding the meanings that people assign to symbols and rituals.
Correct answer is: Symbolic anthropology