Question

Identify two reasons agriculture developed first in the Middle East.

A. Animals flocked there to escape advancing glaciers.
B. Forms of wheat and barley grew naturally there.
C. The region was never affected by climate change.
D. Grass-eating animals, such as goats, thrived there.
E Migration from Africa ended there.

Answer 1

Agriculture developed first in the Middle East due to the natural abundance of staple crops like wheat and barley, and the presence of key domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, and cows.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development of agriculture first occurred in the Middle East, specifically in the Fertile Crescent region. Two reasons for this early development include:

Answer 2

The two reasons agriculture developed first in the Middle East are Forms of wheat and barley grew naturally there and Grass-eating animals thrived there, so the correct option will be B and D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Here are two reasons that played a significant role:

B. Forms of wheat and barley grew naturally there.
One of the primary reasons agriculture developed first in the Middle East is that the region was home to wild ancestors of some of the first domesticated plants, including various forms of wheat and barley.

These wild grains were abundant in the area known as the Fertile Crescent, which spans from the Nile Valley to Mesopotamia.

The presence of these naturally occurring food sources provided a stable base that could be selectively bred and cultivated, leading to the reliable production of food which was a critical step in the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural ones.

D. Grass-eating animals, such as goats, thrived there.
In addition to the wild grains, the Middle East had an abundance of grass-eating animals that were suitable for domestication.

Goats, along with sheep and other herbivores, were native to the region and could thrive on the vegetation available.

These animals not only provided meat but other valuable resources such as milk, wool, and leather. Their domestication allowed early agricultural societies to have a steady supply of animal products, further encouraging the development of agriculture.

Over time, these animals also played a role in the cultivation of land by grazing and fertilizing the soil, which could lead to improved agricultural yields.

The shift from hunting and gathering to farming and herding marked the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution, which forever changed human societies and paved the way for the development of civilization.

So, these factors, in combination with a favorable climate and geographical location, helped set the stage for the development of agriculture in the Middle East, we can say the correct option will be B and D.