1. Cloze Test 1: Human Evolution and Fire Q1. Blank (A): (b) seminal . The text refers to humanity's most important breakthroughs; "seminal" means highly influential. Q2. Blank (B): (b) harnessed . Humans learned to control or "harness" fire from natural sources. Q3. Blank (C): (e) inception . This refers to the beginning or "inception" of techniques for creating flames. Q4. Blank (D): (b) transmute . Fire allowed humans to change or "transmute" their environment. Q5. Blank (E): (b) pivotal . The intentional use of fire was a "pivotal" (crucial) moment in evolution. Q6. Blank (F): (a) manipulate . Ancestors developed methods to "manipulate" this powerful element. Reading Comprehension: National Strength and Human Capital Q7. (c) It provides short-term gains but fails to build institutional and human capital strength. ...