Question

Although the cacao plant probably originated in the upper Amazon region, its first cultivation for seeds and pulp was apparently begun in Mexico and Central America.(A) its first cultivation for seeds and pulp was apparently begun(B) apparently it was cultivated for its seeds and its pulp beginning(C) it was apparently first cultivated for its seeds and pulp(D) the beginning of its cultivation for seeds and pulp appears to be(E) the first cultivation for its seeds and pulp appears to have begun

Answer 1

"Although the cacao plant probably originated in the upper Amazon region, the first cultivation for its seeds and pulp appears to have begun (E) in Mexico and Central America."

The several elements you need to pay attention to in this sentence are:

• the meaning: the idea which must be conveyed is that cacao cultivation (for seeds & pulp) seems to have started in Central America, even though the plant itself is believed to come from further south.
• the syntax and grammar: "the first cultivation" is the subject of the verb "appears to have begun," that is why the verb is conjugated at the 3rd-person singular.