Q.1 Which species is considered the earliest known member of the genus Homo?
Homo erectus
Homo habilis
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo sapiens
Explanation - Homo habilis lived around 2.4–1.4 million years ago and is considered the earliest species in the genus Homo.
Correct answer is: Homo habilis
Q.2 What is the primary feature that distinguishes bipedal hominins from other primates?
Opposable thumbs
Bipedal locomotion
Large brain size
Use of tools
Explanation - Bipedalism, walking on two legs, is the key distinguishing trait of early hominins compared to other primates.
Correct answer is: Bipedal locomotion
Q.3 Which hominin species is known for creating the Acheulean hand axe?
Homo erectus
Homo habilis
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo sapiens
Explanation - Homo erectus developed Acheulean stone tools, including hand axes, around 1.76 million years ago.
Correct answer is: Homo erectus
Q.4 The 'Lucy' fossil belongs to which species?
Australopithecus afarensis
Australopithecus africanus
Homo habilis
Paranthropus boisei
Explanation - Lucy, discovered in 1974, is a famous fossil of Australopithecus afarensis, showing bipedal adaptation.
Correct answer is: Australopithecus afarensis
Q.5 Which trait is most associated with Homo sapiens compared to earlier hominins?
Larger brow ridge
Reduced brain size
Complex language ability
Prognathic face
Explanation - Homo sapiens developed complex symbolic thought and language, distinguishing them from earlier hominins.
Correct answer is: Complex language ability
Q.6 Where were the first Neanderthal fossils discovered?
Germany
South Africa
Kenya
France
Explanation - Neanderthal fossils were first identified in the Neander Valley, Germany in 1856.
Correct answer is: Germany
Q.7 Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of Australopithecus?
Small brain size
Bipedalism
Large canine teeth
Use of complex tools
Explanation - Australopithecus species had small brains and were bipedal, but did not create complex tools like later Homo species.
Correct answer is: Use of complex tools
Q.8 The Piltdown Man was later discovered to be a:
Genuine early human fossil
Hoax combining human and ape bones
Type of Australopithecus
Neanderthal fossil
Explanation - Piltdown Man, discovered in England in 1912, was a deliberate hoax mixing human and ape bones.
Correct answer is: Hoax combining human and ape bones
Q.9 Which species is thought to have coexisted with early Homo sapiens in Europe?
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo habilis
Paranthropus robustus
Explanation - Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted in Europe around 40,000 years ago, and there is evidence of interbreeding.
Correct answer is: Homo neanderthalensis
Q.10 Which anatomical feature is associated with tool-making ability in hominins?
Opposable thumbs
Prognathic face
Curved fingers
Sagittal crest
Explanation - Opposable thumbs allowed early hominins to grip and manipulate objects, aiding in tool production.
Correct answer is: Opposable thumbs
Q.11 The Laetoli footprints provide evidence for:
Early tool use
Bipedal locomotion
Burial rituals
Language development
Explanation - Laetoli footprints, preserved in Tanzania 3.6 million years ago, show that Australopithecus afarensis walked upright.
Correct answer is: Bipedal locomotion
Q.12 Which hominin had the largest brain size?
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Homo neanderthalensis
Australopithecus afarensis
Explanation - Neanderthals had large brains averaging 1,400 cm³, larger than Homo sapiens in some cases.
Correct answer is: Homo neanderthalensis
Q.13 The term 'Out of Africa' hypothesis refers to:
Migration of Homo sapiens from Africa to other continents
Origin of all primates in Africa
Spread of agriculture in Africa
Extinction of Neanderthals
Explanation - The 'Out of Africa' hypothesis posits that modern humans evolved in Africa and migrated to populate the rest of the world.
Correct answer is: Migration of Homo sapiens from Africa to other continents
Q.14 Which hominin species is characterized by a sagittal crest?
Paranthropus robustus
Homo sapiens
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo erectus
Explanation - Paranthropus robustus had a sagittal crest to anchor large chewing muscles, adapted for heavy chewing.
Correct answer is: Paranthropus robustus
Q.15 Which feature indicates dietary adaptation in early hominins?
Pelvic shape
Tooth morphology
Cranial capacity
Femur length
Explanation - The shape and wear of teeth reflect the type of food early hominins consumed.
Correct answer is: Tooth morphology
Q.16 Which site in Ethiopia is famous for early Homo fossils?
Olduvai Gorge
Hadar
Laetoli
Dmanisi
Explanation - Hadar, Ethiopia, is where Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) was found, along with other early hominin fossils.
Correct answer is: Hadar
Q.17 Which is a key adaptation seen in Homo erectus for long-distance travel?
Short legs
Narrow pelvis
Long legs
Small brain
Explanation - Homo erectus had long legs relative to body size, which aided efficient long-distance walking and running.
Correct answer is: Long legs
Q.18 Which hominin is known for the first evidence of controlled use of fire?
Homo erectus
Homo habilis
Homo sapiens
Australopithecus africanus
Explanation - Evidence from sites like Zhoukoudian in China suggests Homo erectus controlled fire for cooking and warmth.
Correct answer is: Homo erectus
Q.19 Which anatomical change is associated with the evolution of bipedalism?
Foramen magnum positioned centrally
Opposable toes
Sagittal crest
Reduced brain size
Explanation - A centrally positioned foramen magnum under the skull supports upright posture and bipedal locomotion.
Correct answer is: Foramen magnum positioned centrally
Q.20 Which hominin is associated with the Mousterian tool culture?
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Australopithecus afarensis
Explanation - Mousterian tools, made from flint, are associated with Neanderthals around 160,000–40,000 years ago.
Correct answer is: Homo neanderthalensis
Q.21 Which trait suggests that Homo sapiens had complex social structures?
Use of pigments and symbolic objects
Sagittal crest
Prognathic face
Long arms
Explanation - Homo sapiens used pigments, ornaments, and symbolic objects indicating complex social and cultural behaviors.
Correct answer is: Use of pigments and symbolic objects
Q.22 Which feature distinguishes Homo habilis from Australopithecus?
Larger brain size
Bipedal locomotion
Presence in Africa
Small teeth
Explanation - Homo habilis had a larger cranial capacity (around 600–700 cm³) than Australopithecus species.
Correct answer is: Larger brain size
Q.23 Which fossil site is famous for early Homo fossils in Olduvai Gorge?
Laetoli
Olduvai Gorge
Dmanisi
Hadar
Explanation - Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania has yielded many early Homo fossils and stone tools, central to studying human evolution.
Correct answer is: Olduvai Gorge
Q.24 The genus Paranthropus is primarily distinguished by its:
Robust cranial features and large molars
Tool-making ability
Complex language
Bipedalism
Explanation - Paranthropus species had strong jaws, sagittal crests, and large molars adapted for chewing tough vegetation.
Correct answer is: Robust cranial features and large molars