1. Large brain size, upright posture, bipedal locomotion are the distinctive characteristics of____________.
a) Hominoids
b) Primates
c) Hominids
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: c) Hominids

2. Explain the modes of communication among the early hominids.
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: Hominids language involved gestures or hand movement.

3. A subgroup amongst primates which emerged by about 24 mya is known as _________.
a) Hominoids
b) Hominids
c) Homo
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: a) Hominoids

4.State any one characteristic of hominoids
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: Hominoids have small brain. They are quadrupeds walking on all fours, but with flexible limbs.

5. "On the Origin of Species" was published by ______________ .
a) Marc Bloch
b) Charles Darwin
c) Leopold von Ranke
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: b) Charles Darwin

6. About 36mya, a category of mammals emerged in Asia and Africa, called ____________.
a) Primates
b) Apes
c) Hominids
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans:

7. The earliest Hominid fossils have been found in East Africa. (True/ False)
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans:

8.Homo is the Latin word, meaning "Man". (True/False)
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: True

9.Write a short note on Australopithecus
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans:

• The name Australopithecus comes from a Latin word, 'austral', meaning 'southern' and a Greek word, 'pithekos', meaning 'ape'.
• The name was given because this earliest form of humans still retained many features of an ape, such as a relatively small brain size in comparison to Homo.They had large back teeth and limited dexterity of the hands.
• Upright walking was also restricted, as they used to spend a lot of time on trees.
• They retained characteristics such as long forelimbs, curved hand and foot bones and mobile ankle joints suited to life on trees.
• As time went tool making and long distance walking increased so many of the human characteristics also developed.

10.Define Fossils.
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: Fossils are the remains or impressions of a very old plant, animal or human which have turned into stone. These are often embedded in rock, and are thus preserved for millions of years.

11.How are hominoids different from monkeys?
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: Hominoids have a larger body and do not have a tail. Besides, there is a longer period of infant development and dependency amongst hominoids.

12.Define Ethnography.
(Chapter 1 : From the Beginning of Time)

Ans: Ethnography is the study of contemporary ethnic groups. It includes an examination of their modes of livelihood, technology, gender roles, rituals, political institutions and social customs.