1st PUC History Chapter 2

1st PUC History Question and Answer Karnataka State Board Syllabus

1st PUC History Chapter 2

The Story of Human Evolution

Scroll Down to Download The Story of Human Evolution PDF

Answer in one word or one sentence.The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1.
From which language is the term ‘human’ derived?
Answer:
The term ‘human’ originates from the Latin language.

Question 2.
What does the term ‘homo’ mean?
Answer:
‘Homo’ translates to “man,” including both men and women.

Question 3.
When did the Earth come into existence?
Answer:
The Earth was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago.

Question 4.
Which book was authored by Charles Darwin?
Answer:
Charles Darwin wrote “The Origin of Species.”

Question 5.
When did human-like beings first appear on Earth?
Answer:
Human-like beings emerged around 30 million years ago.

Question 6.
How long did it take for the genus Homo to evolve from the superfamily Hominoidea?
Answer:
It took about 30 million years for the genus Homo to evolve.

Question 7.
When did the genus Homo first appear?
Answer:
Genus Homo appeared roughly 5.6 million years ago.

Question 8.
Which human species was the first to make stone tools?
tools?
Answer:
Homo habilis was the first species to manufacture stone tools.

Question 9.
What is bipedalism?
Answer:
Bipedalism refers to the ability to walk or run on two feet.

Answer in 2 words or 2 sentences.The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1.
Mention any two theories about the origin and evolution of Earth.

Answer:
The two popular scientific theories are
1. the Big Bang Theory and
2. the steady state theory.

Question 2.
Which were the two important factors responsible for the formation of Earth’s weather and climate?
Answer:
1. High temperatures and
2. Frequent volcanic eruptions played a vital role in shaping Earth’s weather and climate.

Question 3.
What were the two main chemicals that contributed to the origin of life?
Answer:
Hydrogen and carbon were the primary chemicals involved in the origin of life.

Question 4.
Name two theories proposed by Charles Darwin.
Answer:
1. Theory of evolution
2. The origin of species is one of the two theories proposed by Charles Robert Darwin.

Question 5.
Which two animals are considered the nearest relatives of man?
Answer:
Chimpanzees and bonobos are considered the closest relatives of humans.

Question 6.
Where do we find evidence of early planned hunting and butchery of large animals?
Answer:
1. Evidence of early planned hunting and butchery has been found at Boxgrove in England (about 500,000 years ago)
2. Schöningen in Germany (about 400,000 years ago).

Answer in 15-20 sentences. The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1.
How Was the Earth’s Crust Formed?

Answer:
In the early stages, the Earth existed in a molten state for millions of years before it began to cool. Over time, volcanic activity lessened significantly, and the gradual cooling caused the outer surface to solidify into a rocky layer known as the Earth’s crust. As the crust continued to cool, it contracted further.

Volcanic eruptions released gases that contributed to the formation of the Earth’s initial atmosphere. At this stage, the crust remained extremely hot, and water existed only as steam. As the planet cooled further, the steam condensed into clouds, leading to heavy and persistent rainfall. This rainfall eventually filled depressions, forming lakes, rivers, and seas.

Erosion caused by rain and wind wore down mountains and valleys, breaking rocks into smaller particles like sand and mud. Over time, this process contributed to the formation of soil and the ocean floor.

Question 2.
How Were Food and Shelter Responsible for Human Evolution?

Answer:
Early hominoids primarily lived in trees, which offered protection from predators. They relied on gathering seeds, nuts, fruits, and berries for sustenance, as they were not meat eaters. Over time, changing climates led to the emergence of grasslands, plains, and deserts, forcing hominoids to descend from trees and adapt to life on land in search of food.

On land, they began utilizing caves and natural stone formations for shelter, providing safety from predators, harsh weather, and the sun. The scarcity of food prompted them to scavenge for sustenance, often travelling long distances to find naturally dead animals or remains left by predators. This shift encouraged the development of an upright posture and bipedal motion, both crucial for survival in their new environment.

As human ancestors evolved, they began incorporating planned hunting and fishing into their existing gathering and scavenging practices. These activities required tool-making, cooperation, and strategic thinking, which stimulated brain development. To further enhance their shelters, they began constructing structures using materials like stones, wood, animal skeletons, and thatch.

Initially, hominoids moved on all fours, but over time, they adopted an upright posture. Walking on two feet, or bipedalism, became a key adaptation, freeing their forelimbs for other tasks. These freed limbs gradually developed precision and power grips, transforming them into functional hands, enabling tool use and other advanced activities critical to human evolution.

Question 3.
What was the role of domestication of animals and agriculture in human evolution?

Answer:
In the early stages, humans survived as hunters and gatherers. Over time, they transitioned into food producers, which marked a significant turning point in addressing food shortages. The domestication of animals played a vital role in this transformation. The dog was the first animal to be domesticated, initially attracted to human camps by bones and scraps of meat left by hunters.

Dogs assisted humans by aiding in hunting and guarding their shelters. Gradually, humans began domesticating other animals like sheep, goats, cows, cats, camels, and horses. Rearing these animals led to a nomadic lifestyle as humans travelled extensively in search of food and water for their livestock. Eventually, humans started cultivating crops, marking a revolutionary change in human history during the Neolithic Age.

Agriculture, which began about 13,000 years ago, introduced the practice of growing crops such as wheat, rice, and millet. This advancement allowed humans to lead a settled life. They established communities near rivers as they recognized the benefits of water and fertile soil for farming. This transition not only supported a stable lifestyle but also laid the foundation for the development of civilizations, significantly advancing human evolution.

Question 4.
What role did bipedalism and stone tools play in human evolution?

Answer:
Bipedalism refers to walking or running on two legs. Early hominins initially moved on all fours, but over time, they developed an upright posture. This transition occurred gradually, taking hundreds of thousands of years. The skeletal structure and muscles adapted to this new posture, enabling efficient bipedal movement.

Walking on two legs freed the forelimbs, allowing them to evolve into hands capable of precision and power grips. This development significantly enhanced their ability to hunt, defend themselves, and perform tasks requiring fine motor skills. Moreover, bipedalism made travelling long distances more efficient, contributing greatly to human evolution by enabling better survival and resource acquisition.

1st PUC History Chapter 2 The Story of Human Evolution
1st PUC History Chapter 2 The Story of Human Evolution

Question 5.
Discuss the place of origin of modern humans.

Answer:
The origin of modern humans has been a topic of extensive debate, with two primary theories explaining this process.

1. The Replacement (Out of Africa) Theory

This theory suggests that modern humans first evolved in Africa from archaic human species. Favourable climatic conditions in Africa allowed the emergence of anatomically modern humans. Over time, some groups migrated out of Africa and replaced earlier human species in other regions. Evidence supporting this theory includes the discovery of early human fossils in Africa and the genetic and anatomical similarities among modern humans worldwide.

2. The Regional Continuity Theory

According to this theory, modern humans evolved independently in multiple regions, including Africa, Europe, and Asia, from earlier human species. This process occurred at varying rates in different areas, leading to the development of distinct human populations. The differences in physical features among human groups today are considered evidence for this theory.
Both theories highlight the complexity of human evolution and provide insights into how modern humans spread and adapted to diverse environments.

Answer the following questions in 30–40 sentences. The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1.
Discuss the important factors of human evolution.

Answer:
The key factors contributing to human evolution are as follows:

1. Climate Change:

Shifts in climate have significantly influenced human evolution. Initially, the Earth was covered in ice, but climatic changes led to the emergence of vegetation, microorganisms, and other living beings. These transformations played a vital role in the origin, survival, and extinction of various species, shaping the path of human evolution.

2. Growth in Brain Size:

The human brain evolved to be larger in response to environmental challenges. This growth enabled improved vision, upright posture, the development of tools, fire usage, strategic hunting, food storage, and language acquisition. These activities, in turn, further contributed to brain development and adaptability.

3. Food and Shelter:

Early humans lived in trees, which offered protection from predators and access to food such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and tubers. They were primarily gatherers rather than hunters. Over time, they began using caves and stone formations for shelter. Food scarcity drove them to travel long distances, leading to an upright posture and bipedal motion essential for survival.

4. Bipedalism:

Over time, hominins adopted an upright posture, which improved their ability to walk and run on two legs. This adaptation freed their forelimbs, enhancing muscle development and enabling more complex activities.

5. Tool Making:

The crafting and use of stone tools marked a critical phase of human evolution. This capability not only improved survival but also contributed to the development of hands and the expansion of brain size.

6. Language Development:

Early humans began communicating through gestures and simple sounds, which evolved into rudimentary speech. Gradually, these sounds transformed into a more complex language system. The growth in brain size played a significant role in the advancement of language.

7. Domestication of Animals and Agriculture:

The domestication of animals started with dogs, followed by sheep, goats, cows, and other species. The need to care for animals led humans to settle near water sources. This marked the transition from food gathering to agriculture, enabling humans to lead a stable, settled life.

8. Art:

Early humans expressed their creativity through paintings and carvings on cave walls. These artworks provide valuable insights into their daily lives, cultural practices, and evolving intellect.

These factors collectively contributed to the evolutionary journey of humans, shaping their physical, intellectual, and social development over time.

Answer in one word or one sentence. The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1
Which theory about the origin and evolution of the Earth is popular and widely accepted?
Answer:
The Big Bang Theory is the most popular and widely accepted explanation for the origin and evolution of the Earth.

Question 2
What was the first form of animal life on Earth?
Answer:
Protozoa were the earliest forms of animal life on Earth, emerging approximately 500 million years ago.

Question 3
Mention any two pieces of evidence of early humans.
Answer:
Fossils, stone tools, and cave paintings are significant pieces of evidence that provide insights into the lives of early humans.

Question 4
Name the superfamily of animals found on Earth.
Answer:
Chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons belong to the superfamily of apes.

Question 5
What is the brain size of Homo sapiens?
Answer:
The brain size of Homo sapiens is approximately 1,400 cubic centimetres.

2 lines of questions and answers. The Story of Human Evolution

Question 1.
What was the classification of the Stone Age?
Answer:
These historians classified the Stone Age into 3. They are the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic stone ages.

Question 2.
Name the domesticated animals of early humans.
Answer:
The dog, sheep, goat, cat, cow, camel, and horse.

 

You cannot copy content of this page