Question

Which of the following is NOT a reason that the Indian sacred cow can be considered adaptive?

a Cattle are an affordable form of power for peasant farmers
b Cattle dung provides a cheap source of heating and cooking energy
c Wandering cattle indirectly provide fertilizer for agricultural fields
d Zebu cattle require less food per animal than do beef cattle
e Zebu cattle are frequently slaughtered and their meat distributed on ceremonial occasions

Answer 1

The option stating 'Zebu cattle are frequently slaughtered and their meat distributed on ceremonial occasions' is NOT a reason the Indian sacred cow can be considered adaptive, as it contradicts the Hindu cultural norm of regarding cows as sacred and not typically slaughtered for meat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of the following is NOT a reason that the Indian sacred cow can be considered adaptive. In the context of Indian culture and agriculture, cows have several uses that make them valuable to the society:

• Cattle are an affordable form of power for peasant farmers.
• Cattle dung provides a cheap source of heating and cooking energy.
• Wandering cattle indirectly provide fertilizer for agricultural fields.
• Zebu cattle require less food per animal than beef cattle.

However, option e: "Zebu cattle are frequently slaughtered and their meat distributed on ceremonial occasions" does not fit as a reason for the cow being considered adaptive under the economic rationale described by cultural anthropologist Marvin Harris. In fact, this option contradicts the Hindu cultural norm that regards cows as sacred and are not typically slaughtered for meat.

Answer 2

The Indian sacred cow can be considered adaptive for several reasons, but one of the options listed is NOT a valid reason. Out of the given options, Option E: Zebu cattle are frequently slaughtered and their meat distributed on ceremonial occasions is not a reason that makes the Indian sacred cow considered adaptive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Indian sacred cow can be considered adaptive for several reasons, but one of the options listed is NOT a valid reason. Out of the given options, Option E: Zebu cattle are frequently slaughtered and their meat distributed on ceremonial occasions is not a reason that makes the Indian sacred cow considered adaptive. The other options - A, B, C, and D - all provide examples of how the Indian sacred cow is adaptive. Cattle in India are an affordable form of power for peasant farmers (Option A). They can be used for plowing fields and carrying heavy loads. Additionally, cattle dung provides a cheap source of heating and cooking energy (Option B). It can be dried and used as fuel. Furthermore, wandering cattle indirectly provide fertilizer for agricultural fields (Option C). Their manure helps fertilize crops, which contributes to better crop growth. Finally, zebu cattle require less food per animal than beef cattle (Option D). This makes them more economical to raise and maintain for farmers.