Meaning: 'Expenditure' means the amount of resources, such as time or energy, that is spent on a particular activity or task.

Wrong options:

• conjecture: Conjecture refers to an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information, which does not relate to the effort involved in work.
• apiculture: Apiculture is the maintenance of bee colonies, which is unrelated to the general concept of work and effort in this context.
• posture: Posture refers to the position of the body, which does not convey the idea of effort or resources spent in the context of work.

Correct answer: cater

Explanation: The word 'cater' is appropriate here as it means to provide what is needed or required, which fits contextually with the production of goods and services aimed at fulfilling human needs. It is a verb that aligns with the objective of work described in the passage.

Meaning: 'Cater' means to provide or supply what is needed, especially in terms of services or goods that meet human requirements.

Wrong options:

• add: 'Add' implies to increase or join something, which does not fit the context of providing for human needs in the way that 'cater' does.
• design: 'Design' refers to the creation or planning of something, which does not directly relate to the act of providing for needs as 'cater' does.
• relate: 'Relate' means to show or establish a connection, which does not convey the idea of fulfilling needs as effectively as 'cater'.

Correct answer: distribution

Explanation: The term 'distribution' is suitable as it refers to the process of delivering goods and services to consumers, which is a key aspect of the economic system described. It fits grammatically and contextually, completing the sentence about the institutions involved in production and the subsequent flow of goods.

Meaning: 'Distribution' means the action of sharing something out among a number of recipients, particularly in the context of goods and services.

Wrong options:

• figuration: Figuration refers to the act of forming or shaping something, which does not relate to the economic context of providing goods and services.
• consumption: Consumption refers to the using up of goods and services, which is a result of distribution rather than a part of the process itself.
• disintegration: Disintegration means the process of losing cohesion or strength, which is contrary to the idea of providing goods and services.

Correct answer: occupied

Explanation: The word 'occupied' is correct as it indicates that the majority of the population is engaged in food gathering and production, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence structure. It is a verb that describes the action of being involved in a particular activity.

Meaning: 'Occupied' means to be engaged or involved in a particular activity or task, in this case, food gathering and production.

Wrong options:

• canopied: Canopied refers to being covered or sheltered, which does not relate to the concept of work being done by the population.
• built: Built refers to the act of constructing something, which does not accurately describe the nature of work in traditional cultures as 'occupied' does.
• simplified: Simplified means to make something easier or less complex, which does not convey the idea of engagement in work as effectively as 'occupied'.