Noticing how discarded seeds and roots later germinated and sprouted may have been what the first farmers to settle down and cultivate crops. We know that farmers in the Stone Age had discovered pulses - beans, peas, lentils, and so on - which they up and ate as a kind of porridge. Later they learnt to domesticate sheep and goats, developing tamer and manageable of these and other animals. In addition to that, they also discovered how to use the process of fermentation for brewing and making bread.
It was some time later that farmers noticed that the amount of crops produced declined if they were always grown in the same ground and, by the 1st century, the Romans were crops with pasture for grazing animals to restore the soil's fertility. This practice was followed in medieval England where the fields were divided into strips, planting cereals and vegetables, and the land left uncultivated one year in three.
Result:
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Correct answer: milder
Explanation: The word 'milder' fits grammatically as it describes the climate in a comparative form, indicating a less severe condition. Contextually, it aligns with the idea of a more temperate climate, which is essential for supporting a greater variety of plant life.
Meaning: Milder means less severe or harsh, suggesting that the climate became more favorable for plant growth.
Wrong options:
- harsher: Harsher implies a more severe climate, which contradicts the context of allowing for a greater variety of plant life.
- easier: Easier does not appropriately describe climate conditions; it is more commonly used in contexts related to tasks or challenges rather than environmental conditions.
- colder: Colder suggests a drop in temperature, which would not support the idea of a greater variety of plant life.
Correct answer: decided
Explanation: The word 'decided' is the correct choice as it indicates a conscious choice made by the first farmers based on their observations. It fits grammatically in the past tense and logically follows the context of their realization about germination.
Meaning: Decided means to make a choice or come to a conclusion after consideration.
Wrong options:
- made: Made is too vague and does not convey the sense of choice that 'decided' does; it lacks the nuance of a conscious decision.
- forced: Forced implies coercion, which does not fit the context of farmers choosing to settle down based on their observations.
- convinced: Convinced suggests persuasion rather than a decision made by the farmers themselves, which does not align with the context.
Correct answer: mashed
Explanation: The word 'mashed' is appropriate as it describes the action of crushing the pulses into a soft consistency, fitting grammatically and contextually with the preparation of food.
Meaning: Mashed means to crush food into a soft, smooth texture, often used in cooking.
Wrong options:
- squashed: Squashed implies a more forceful action and does not convey the culinary context of preparing food as 'mashed' does.
- squeezed: Squeezed suggests extracting liquid rather than preparing a solid food item, which does not fit the context of making porridge.
- broke: Broke is too general and does not specifically describe the action of preparing food, lacking the culinary connotation of 'mashed'.
Correct answer: breeds
Explanation: The word 'breeds' is the correct term as it refers specifically to domesticated varieties of animals, fitting both grammatically and contextually within the sentence about animal domestication.
Meaning: Breeds refers to specific varieties of animals that have been selectively cultivated for certain traits.
Wrong options:
- types: Types is too broad and does not specifically refer to domesticated animals, lacking the specificity of 'breeds'.
- species: Species is a scientific term that does not convey the domesticated context as effectively as 'breeds'.
- sorts: Sorts is informal and does not carry the precise meaning needed in this context, making 'breeds' a more suitable choice.
Correct answer: alternating
Explanation: The word 'alternating' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the practice of switching between crops and pasture, which is essential for soil fertility restoration.
Meaning: Alternating means to switch back and forth between two or more things, in this case, crops and pasture.
Wrong options:
- changing: Changing is too vague and does not specifically imply the systematic approach of alternating as 'alternating' does.
- swapping: Swapping suggests a more casual exchange rather than the structured practice of alternating, which is more appropriate in agricultural contexts.
- revolving: Revolving implies a circular motion or rotation, which does not accurately describe the agricultural practice of alternating crops.
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