In modern world history, which of the following lists correctly describes three major characteristics of the Agricultural Revolution, linking water control, new tools, and methods of protecting soil fertility?

Introduction / Context:
The Agricultural Revolution in modern history refers to a period when farming was transformed by new ideas, tools, and methods. Exam questions on this topic usually test whether the learner remembers the key features that changed rural life and agricultural productivity. Understanding these characteristics helps students connect developments in agriculture with wider changes such as industrialisation, urbanisation, and population growth. This question asks you to identify one list that correctly combines three classic features of the Agricultural Revolution.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term Agricultural Revolution refers mainly to changes in farming techniques and tools in early modern Europe.
• Key ideas include better water control, improved tools and machines, and new systems like crop rotation.
• Only one option correctly groups three genuine characteristics.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, you must recall typical textbook features of the Agricultural Revolution. These include controlling water through drainage and irrigation, using new tools and machines such as seed drills, and introducing crop rotation to keep soil fertile. Then you compare each option and see which list contains three real characteristics without including obviously incorrect or exaggerated statements about abandoning agriculture or banning tools.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that better control of water through wells, canals, and drainage was a major development. Step 2: Remember that new tools and machines, such as improved ploughs and seed drills, increased farm productivity. Step 3: Note that crop rotation was used to maintain or improve soil fertility and avoid exhausting the land. Step 4: Check each option and see which list includes all three of these genuine characteristics together. Step 5: Option A exactly mentions water control, new tools and machines, and crop rotation for soil fertility, so it matches the known description.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to check is to remember simple textbook summaries that say the Agricultural Revolution involved enclosure of fields, better drainage and irrigation, and rotation of crops supported by new tools. Anything that talks about abandoning irrigation or banning agriculture is clearly not historical fact. Since option A is positive and realistic, and the other options describe extreme or illogical changes, option A is most consistent with what historians describe.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because farmers did not abandon irrigation or tools, and they did not return to full hunting and gathering. Option C is wrong because it mentions avoiding rotation and refusing to use animal power, which is opposite of what really happened. Option D is wrong because mining and factory work did not replace agriculture completely. Option E is wrong because no government banned agriculture or relied only on imported food during this period.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose an option that sounds dramatic or extreme instead of historically accurate. Learners may also mix up the Agricultural Revolution with later industrial changes in cities. Another pitfall is to focus on just one familiar phrase, like irrigation, without checking whether the rest of the option describes realistic developments. Always look for balanced, historically grounded statements that match what you have read in standard history books.

Final Answer:
Therefore, the list that correctly describes three major characteristics of the Agricultural Revolution is Farmers learned to control water with wells and canals, adopted new tools and machines, and used crop rotation to maintain soil fertility.