Question

source: library of congress
the images show devices developed during the second agricultural revolution. which of the following best describes the impacts of the second agricultural revolution?
a genetically modified crops and ever - increasing levels of mechanization, as shown in the images, drove productivity up and made hunger a thing of the past.
b innovations such as crop rotations and hybrid selection, facilitated by the technology shown in the images, made agriculture productive enough to support the growth of urban centers and led to the creation of modern civilization.
c the adaptation of newly introduced crops such as potatoes and corn from the new world, which were planted and harvested using the technology shown in the images, made european farms more productive, which led to better diets, longer life expectancies, and more people available for work in factories.
d technological innovations, such as the devices shown in the images, and increased agricultural productivity led to better diets, longer life expectancies, and more people available for work in factories.
e the second agricultural revolution is ongoing, as engineers continue to improve agricultural machinery and scientists search for crops adapted to the drier, warmer climates predicted for the coming decades.

Explanation:

• Option A: Genetically modified crops are part of the Third Agricultural Revolution, not the Second, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Crop rotations and hybrid selection (along with the technology of the Second Agricultural Revolution) supported urban growth, but "creation of modern civilization" is too broad and more associated with the Neolithic Revolution's long - term impacts. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: The introduction of New World crops like potatoes and corn to Europe was part of the Columbian Exchange, not the Second Agricultural Revolution. So C is incorrect.
• Option D: The Second Agricultural Revolution had technological innovations (like the devices in the images) that increased agricultural productivity. This led to better diets, longer life expectancies, and a surplus of labor that could work in factories (which was crucial for the Industrial Revolution). This option correctly describes the impacts.
• Option E: The Second Agricultural Revolution is not ongoing; the Third Agricultural Revolution (with GMOs, precision farming) is ongoing. So E is incorrect.

Answer:

D. Technological innovations, such as the devices shown in the images, and increased agricultural productivity led to better diets, longer life expectancies, and more people available for work in factories.