The Age of Industrialisation

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The Age of Industrialisation — solved practice questions

8 Class 10 History questions with step-by-step solutions. Attempt each, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1easy

   The earliest industries in Britain were mainly in the sector of:

   • Acotton textiles
   • Bsteel
   • Cchemicals
   • Drailways
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) cotton textiles

   The cotton textile industry was the leading sector of British industrialisation in the late 18th century.

2. Q2medium

   The term 'proto-industrialisation' refers to:

   • Afactory-based industry
   • Brural cottage industries before factories
   • Cgovernment-run industries
   • Dsmall-scale city workshops
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) rural cottage industries before factories

   Proto-industrialisation refers to the phase before factory-based industry, when production was spread across rural households and controlled by merchants.

3. Q3medium

   James Watt's improved steam engine (1781) was crucial because it:

   • Areduced coal use
   • Bcould power many types of machines
   • Cworked on wind power
   • Dreplaced only spinning machines
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) could power many types of machines

   Watt's steam engine, backed by Matthew Boulton, could power a variety of machines and became the main power source for British industry.

4. Q4easy

   The 'Spinning Jenny' was invented by:

   • AJames Watt
   • BJames Hargreaves
   • CRichard Arkwright
   • DEdmund Cartwright
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) James Hargreaves

   James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny in 1764, dramatically increasing thread production.

5. Q5medium

   Britain's industrialisation was supported by its:

   • Acolonies and global trade networks
   • Blarge population alone
   • Cwarmer climate
   • Dabundant coal but no iron
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) colonies and global trade networks

   Britain's industrial advantage came from its colonies (raw materials + markets), global trade networks and the surplus from trade/agriculture.

6. Q6medium

   In India, the first cotton mill was set up in:

   • ACalcutta
   • BBombay
   • CAhmedabad
   • DSurat
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Bombay

   The first cotton mill in India was established in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1854.

7. Q7hard

   Why did Indian merchants and industrialists initially go into trade before setting up factories?

   • Ato accumulate capital through trade first
   • Bbecause factories were banned by British
   • Clack of labour
   • Dno demand for goods
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) to accumulate capital through trade first

   They first accumulated capital through trade (opium, cotton) and then invested in industries once they had sufficient resources.

8. Q8medium

   The Fly Shuttle loom was used to weave:

   • Ajute
   • Bsilk
   • Cwider cotton cloth
   • Dwool
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) wider cotton cloth

   The Fly Shuttle (invented by John Kay, 1733) allowed weavers to weave faster and make broader cloth.

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