Final answer:
The primary mode of subsistence for the majority of human existence has been gathering-hunting, with agriculture being a more recent development. Societies have often combined various subsistence strategies and adapted to changes in their environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary mode of subsistence for the majority of human existence has been gathering-hunting. For about 95 percent of our evolutionary history, humans and their ancestors have relied on this mode. Gathering-hunting involves foraging for plant-based foods like fruits, nuts, berries, and roots, as well as hunting and trapping wild animals for sustenance. The adoption of agriculture as a primary mode occurred around 12,000 years ago, which is quite recent when considering the entire span of human existence.
Other modes of subsistence such as pastoralism, plant cultivation, and industrialism/post-industrialism, have been adopted throughout history. However, these have not been as enduring as the gathering-hunting strategy. It is important to note that societies often incorporate practices from various modes of subsistence, adapting and changing these practices in response to environmental and social pressures, like population changes and climate shifts.