The explanatory power of a scientific theory is most closely linked to its capacity to generate testable: a. variables
b. inferences
c. assumptions
d. correlations
e. hypotheses

if you have to make a general question and respond to your thoughts, then this isn't really a question someone can you on. read the passage, form your question, and answer using your thoughts. no one else can understand how you interpreted this text if you don't tell us.

answer; the intervening variable;

stable food supply,social structure, government,religion,culture/art,technology and writing/language;