Which statement best summarizes the changes in agricultural techniques over time? (1 point)

• Over time, humans have decreased the inputs of energy and chemicals in agriculture.
• Humans have been using the same agricultural techniques since the beginning of sedentary agriculture.
• Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from requiring large inputs of labor to requiring large inputs of energy
and technology.
• Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from very expensive to very cheap

• Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from requiring large inputs of labor to requiring large inputs of energy and technology.

The statement that best summarizes the changes in agricultural techniques over time is: "Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from requiring large inputs of labor to requiring large inputs of energy and technology."

To determine the best statement that summarizes the changes in agricultural techniques over time, we can evaluate each option and analyze their accuracy and relevance.

1. "Over time, humans have decreased the inputs of energy and chemicals in agriculture."
This statement implies that over time, there has been a reduction in the use of energy and chemicals in agriculture. While this may be true in some cases, it does not capture the complete picture of agricultural changes over time. There have been advancements in technology and increased use of machinery that require energy, as well as the evolution of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, this statement does not accurately summarize the overall changes in agricultural techniques.

2. "Humans have been using the same agricultural techniques since the beginning of sedentary agriculture."
This statement suggests that agricultural techniques have remained unchanged since the advent of sedentary agriculture. However, this is not accurate. Agricultural practices and techniques have evolved significantly over time due to improvements in technology, scientific advancements, and changing social, economic, and environmental conditions.

3. "Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from requiring large inputs of labor to requiring large inputs of energy and technology."
This statement acknowledges the shift in agricultural techniques over time. Historically, agriculture relied heavily on human labor, but with the introduction of technology and machinery, there has been a transition towards using energy and technology as inputs. This statement captures the transformation and advancements in agricultural techniques accurately.

4. "Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from very expensive to very cheap."
While the cost of some agricultural practices may have decreased over time due to improved efficiency, it is not accurate to state that agricultural techniques overall have shifted from being very expensive to very cheap. Factors such as the cost of machinery, technology, fertilizers, and labor can vary depending on the specific context and region. Therefore, this statement does not provide an accurate summary of changes in agricultural techniques over time.

Considering the analysis above, the statement that best summarizes the changes in agricultural techniques over time is: "Over time, agricultural techniques shifted from requiring large inputs of labor to requiring large inputs of energy and technology."