[7496] In 1830 baron Bettino Ricasoli, the father of Chianti wine, (1) _____________ to industrialize agriculture in order to increase the rate of productivity. Since then many years have gone by giving way to several important social changes which have transformed the Chianti area and economic crises that have alternated with sudden increases in productivity. Let's start (2) _____________ the beginning: in the 19th century the Chianti landscape was dotted with a few villages and big farmhouses where the noble families (3) _______________ enjoy their holidays. Agriculture was still bound to archaic systems of cultivation. Unlike all other crops that grew here and there and were directly taken by farmers for personal use, wine was sold and exported. The cultivation system on terraces was very complicated but it spurred farmers to (4) __________ higher rates of productivity. More and more land was then brought under crops, new country-houses mushroomed everywhere, special vines were selected and all estates were re-organized according to capitalist principles. This progress (5) __________ place without the marvellous, natural landscape being damaged. ('Chianti' Latest Color Guide- by Carlo Grassetti, 1999). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (1)?
Has decided.
Had decided.
Decided.
Was decided.