Final answer:
The author argues that agriculture was a necessary step for societal progress, enabling significant societal changes such as labor specialization, the development of writing, and the initial steps towards urbanization and civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided excerpts, the author argues that agriculture was a necessary step for societal progress (Option B). The development of agriculture, often referred to as the Neolithic Revolution, enabled a shift from hunting and gathering to settled life and farming, which in turn facilitated a host of societal changes including labor specialization, the development of writing, and population growth. This significant shift allowed some members of society to focus on tasks other than food production, such as building and trade, and led to the establishment of sophisticated settlements.
The transition to agriculture was not uniform or universally adopted, as evidenced by societies that remained hunter-gatherers; however, those that adopted agriculture experienced transformations that ultimately laid the foundation for human civilization. The increase in reliable food supplies through agriculture and animal domestication allowed for permanent settlements and the growth of larger families. Consequently, this led to increased population levels and the evolution of the human experience towards the first steps of urbanization and the formation of political entities.