Final answer:
The correct progression of ancestral forms leading to modern humans is 'Australopithecines - Homo habilis - Homo erectus - Homo sapiens'. Each group in this sequence shows an evolution in physical and behavioral characteristics, culminating in Homo sapiens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The progression of ancestral forms leading to modern-day humans is as follows: Australopithecines - Homo habilis - Homo erectus - Homo sapiens. This sequence represents the general order of hominin species from the earliest to the most recent. Australopithecines are often considered the earliest known species with several human-like features, including the adoption of bipedal locomotion. Homo habilis, which emerged after the Australopithecines, displayed advancements such as an increased brain size and the development of stone tools. Following Homo habilis, Homo erectus appeared with even more refined tools and was the first to control fire and leave Africa. The modern human species, Homo sapiens, developed after Homo erectus and is characterized by a larger brain and more complex behavioral capacities.
Fossil evidence suggests that these species did not evolve in a straightforward linear fashion. Often, several hominin species coexisted, complicating the understanding of direct ancestral relationships. The accurate answer to the question is therefore option 'c. Australopithecines - Homo habilis - Homo erectus - Homo sapiens'.