Which of the following statements correctly describe Mediterranean agriculture?

Introduction / Context:
Mediterranean agriculture is a distinctive type of commercial farming practised in regions with a Mediterranean climate, characterised by dry summers and mild, wet winters. Understanding its key features is important in world geography, particularly in relation to specialised crops like grapes and olives. This question presents four statements about Mediterranean agriculture and asks which combination is correct, testing your ability to distinguish this system from subsistence agriculture and to recall its hallmark crops and commercial orientation.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Statement 1: Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialised commercial agriculture. - Statement 2: It is intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation. - Statement 3: It is a primitive subsistence agriculture. - Statement 4: Viticulture (grape cultivation) is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. - We must identify which statements correctly describe Mediterranean agriculture.

Concept / Approach:
Mediterranean agriculture is not primitive or subsistence based; it is typically market oriented and involves high value, specialised crops such as olives, grapes, citrus fruits and some vegetables. Statement 1 correctly captures its highly specialised commercial nature. Wet paddy cultivation (rice agriculture) is more associated with monsoon Asia and intensive subsistence farming, not with the Mediterranean climate, so Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 describing it as primitive subsistence agriculture is also incorrect. Viticulture is a classic hallmark of Mediterranean agriculture, making Statement 4 correct. Therefore, the right combination is Statements 1 and 4 only.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate Statement 1. Mediterranean agriculture indeed focuses on high value, specialised crops for export, like olives and grapes, and is commercial in nature. Statement 1 is correct. Step 2: Evaluate Statement 2. Intensive subsistence wet paddy cultivation is found mainly in monsoon Asia (India, China, Southeast Asia), not in Mediterranean climatic regions. Statement 2 is false. Step 3: Evaluate Statement 3. Primitive subsistence agriculture is characterised by simple tools and shifting cultivation, which does not match the relatively advanced commercial farming of Mediterranean regions. Statement 3 is false. Step 4: Evaluate Statement 4. Viticulture, or grape cultivation for fresh consumption and wine production, is indeed a speciality of Mediterranean regions such as southern Europe and parts of California and Chile. Statement 4 is correct. Step 5: Combine the true statements: 1 and 4 only, matching option "1 and 4 only".

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider examples of Mediterranean agriculture around the world: southern Spain, Italy, Greece, coastal California, central Chile and parts of Australia. All these regions are known for vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards linked to export markets. None of them are famous for large scale wet paddy fields typical of monsoon Asia. This real world picture confirms that Mediterranean agriculture is specialised and commercial, supports Statement 1, and clearly highlights viticulture as a key speciality, supporting Statement 4.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"1 only" is wrong because it ignores the equally correct Statement 4 about viticulture.

"2 and 3" is wrong since both statements misrepresent Mediterranean agriculture as subsistence based; neither applies to this system.

"1, 3 and 4" is wrong because it includes Statement 3, which wrongly labels Mediterranean agriculture as primitive subsistence agriculture.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Mediterranean agriculture with generic mixed farming or assume that all intensive agriculture in developing regions is subsistence based. Others may focus only on a single crop and forget the broader commercial and export oriented nature of this system. To avoid these mistakes, remember the signature combination: Mediterranean climate, high value perennial crops (especially grapes and olives), and a strong linkage to export markets. This triad immediately invalidates descriptions that call it primitive or wet paddy based subsistence farming.

Final Answer:
The statements that correctly describe Mediterranean agriculture are 1 and 4 only.