Final answer:
In the given passages, 'cultivated' refers to the agricultural practice of preparing land for growing crops and tending to plants, reflecting the various methods used by humans throughout history.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the passages provided, the word cultivated is used in the context of agriculture, referring to the act of preparing and using land for the growing of crops. The passage discusses the historical development from gather-hunting to deliberate plant cultivation, indicating the transition towards more structured agricultural practices that involve the tilling of soil and nurturing of plants. It also touches on different forms of agriculture such as intensive agriculture and extensive horticulture, illustrating various ways in which humans have modified plants and organized societies around the cultivation process.