Final answer:
The physical landscape influenced the development of early agriculture by providing fertile soil and water access in river valleys, leading to settled farming communities and the growth of civilizations. Answer c (The valleys had water access and fertile soil) explains why early farmers chose to settle in these regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical landscape has significantly affected the development of agriculture and industry in the ancient world. Early farmers settled in river valleys primarily because these areas had access to water for irrigation and provided fertile soil suitable for cultivation. River valleys, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, such as those in the Fertile Crescent and along the Nile, supported the emergence of early human societies by enabling water management through irrigation systems, which in turn fostered the development of agriculture. As a consequence, settlements could produce an agricultural surplus, leading to labor specialization, socioeconomic stratification, and urbanization.
When it comes to the question of why many early farmers settled in river valleys, the correct answer is: c. The valleys had water access and fertile soil. Access to water and fertile lands allowed these societies to engage in sustenance as well as commercial agriculture, establishing the conditions necessary for the growth of human civilization with increased population density, and the development of social and economic structures, including specialized labor and trade.