A.I. Explanation:

Correct answer: occupy

Explanation: The verb 'occupy' is used here to indicate that agricultural activities take up space on the land surface. It fits grammatically as it is in the present tense, matching the overall tense of the passage, and contextually, it aligns with the discussion of land use.

Meaning: 'Occupy' means to take up space or to reside in a particular area.

Wrong options:

• establishes: The verb 'establishes' implies creating or setting up something, which does not fit the context of land usage as directly as 'occupy.'
• changes: While 'changes' relates to alterations, it does not convey the idea of land usage as effectively as 'occupy.'
• harvest: The term 'harvest' refers to the act of gathering crops, which does not relate to the concept of land occupation.
• causes: 'Causes' implies bringing about an effect, which does not fit the context of describing land usage.
• excludes: The verb 'excludes' means to leave out or not include, which contradicts the idea of agricultural activities taking up land.

Correct answer: changes

Explanation: The noun 'changes' refers to the alterations that agricultural practices bring to the environment. It fits grammatically as a plural noun that aligns with 'most agricultural,' and contextually, it highlights the impact of agriculture on natural systems.

Meaning: 'Changes' refers to the modifications or alterations that occur in the environment due to agricultural practices.

Wrong options:

• occupy: 'Occupy' is a verb that does not fit as a noun in this context, as it does not describe the effects of agriculture.
• establishes: 'Establishes' is a verb that does not fit as a noun and does not convey the idea of environmental impact.
• harvest: 'Harvest' refers to the act of gathering crops, which does not relate to the changes in the environment.
• causes: 'Causes' is a verb that does not fit as a noun and does not describe the alterations made by agriculture.
• excludes: 'Excludes' is a verb that does not fit as a noun and does not relate to the changes in the environment.

Correct answer: causes

Explanation: The verb 'causes' indicates that agriculture is responsible for deforestation and the replacement of forests. It fits grammatically in the present tense and logically connects to the discussion of agriculture's negative impacts on the environment.

Meaning: 'Causes' means to bring about or to be the reason for something happening.

Wrong options:

• occupy: 'Occupy' does not fit here as it refers to taking up space rather than indicating responsibility for an effect.
• establishes: 'Establishes' implies creating something, which does not convey the idea of causing deforestation.
• changes: 'Changes' does not fit as it describes alterations rather than the act of causing an effect.
• harvest: 'Harvest' refers to gathering crops and does not relate to the concept of causing environmental changes.
• excludes: 'Excludes' means to leave out, which does not relate to the idea of causing deforestation.