Section 2 (pp. 75 -79) 6. Why were early farmers able to develop specialized economic activities? A. They chose places close to metal ores for their settlements. B They were more highly educated than hunters and gather- ers who lived nearby. C Farmers could produce surplus food, allowing other people to do other kinds of work. D They built walls around their towns.

## Step 1<br />The question is asking why early farmers were able to develop specialized economic activities. This is a question about the historical development of early societies and the economic activities that allowed them to progress.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A suggests that the farmers chose places close to metal ores for their settlements. While this could have been a factor in the development of certain economic activities, it doesn't explain why they were able to develop specialized economic activities.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option B suggests that the farmers were more highly educated than hunters and gatherers who lived nearby. While education can play a role in the development of economic activities, it doesn't explain why farmers were able to develop specialized economic activities.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option C suggests that farmers could produce surplus food, allowing other people to do other kinds of work. This is a plausible explanation because the ability to produce surplus food would allow some people to specialize in other activities, leading to the development of specialized economic activities.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D suggests that the farmers built walls around their towns. While this could have been a factor in the development of certain economic activities, it doesn't explain why they were able to develop specialized economic activities.