1. The Coming Up of the Factory
1. When did the earliest factories come up in England?
a) 1650s
b) 1730s
c) 1800s
d) 1900s
Answer: b) 1730s
Explanation: The earliest factories in England appeared in the 1730s, with significant growth by the late 18th century.
2. Which industry became the first symbol of the new industrial era in England?
a) Iron and steel
b) Cotton
c) Shipbuilding
d) Mining
Answer: b) Cotton
Explanation: Cotton production boomed, becoming the hallmark of the early industrial era due to increased demand and mechanisation.
3. What was the key advantage of bringing production under one roof in factories?
a) Reduced cost of raw materials
b) Enhanced supervision and labour regulation
c) Elimination of skilled labour
d) Increased agricultural productivity
Answer: b) Enhanced supervision and labour regulation
Explanation: Factories enabled closer monitoring of production quality, labour management, and efficiency, which was difficult in decentralized rural production.
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2. The Pace of Industrial Change
1. Which industry was the most dynamic in Britain during the first phase of industrialisation?
a) Iron and steel
b) Textiles (cotton)
c) Chemicals
d) Automobiles
Answer: b) Textiles (cotton)
Explanation: The textile industry, particularly cotton, was the leading sector up to the 1840s before iron and steel took over.
2. Why couldn’t new industries completely replace traditional industries even by the end of the 19th century?
a) Lack of demand for traditional goods
b) Limited technological advancements
c) High costs of machinery and labour preference for traditional crafts
d) Government-imposed restrictions
Answer: c) High costs of machinery and labour preference for traditional crafts
Explanation: Many industries preferred traditional methods due to expensive new technologies and a stable market for handcrafted goods.
3. Which of the following statements is true about technological changes during industrialisation?
a) They spread rapidly across industries
b) They were inexpensive and quickly adopted
c) Adoption was slow due to high costs and unreliable machinery
d) Machines were more efficient than claimed by inventors
Answer: c) Adoption was slow due to high costs and unreliable machinery
Explanation: Despite innovations, new technologies were costly, prone to breakdowns, and took time to gain widespread acceptance.
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3. Hand Labour and Steam Power
1. Why was there no shortage of labour in Victorian Britain?
a) High wages attracted workers
b) Industrialists imported labour from colonies
c) Large numbers of peasants migrated to cities for work
d) Machines replaced human labour completely
Answer: c) Large numbers of peasants migrated to cities for work
Explanation: The abundance of rural migrants seeking employment in cities ensured a continuous supply of cheap labour.
2. What was one key reason industrialists preferred hand labour over machines in some industries?
a) Machines were banned in many cities
b) Hand-made products symbolised quality and class
c) Machines could only produce agricultural goods
d) Labour laws restricted the use of machinery
Answer: b) Hand-made products symbolised quality and class
Explanation: The upper classes in Victorian Britain preferred finely crafted, hand-made products, which represented luxury and sophistication.
3. What role did the steam engine play during industrialisation?
a) It was immediately adopted in all industries
b) It replaced human labour in agriculture
c) Its adoption was slow due to high costs and maintenance issues
d) It was only used in shipbuilding
Answer: c) Its adoption was slow due to high costs and maintenance issues
Explanation: Although revolutionary, steam engines were initially costly, unreliable, and slow to be integrated into all industries.
