Explanation:

- Option 1: Essentially two

- Marx primarily spoke of two broad classes in capitalist societies: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who sell their labor.

- Correct Answer: Essentially two.

- Option 2: Two with several intermediate classes

- While Marx emphasized two main classes, he acknowledged intermediate groups, like the petite bourgeoisie.

- Option 3: Four

- Marx didn't typically categorize classes into four distinct groups. This option doesn't align with his primary theories.

- Option 4: Three

- Some interpretations recognize a third class, like landowners, but this is not central to his main theory.