Unit Test (Solutions): The Age of Industrialisation | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

Time: 1 hour

M.M. 30

Attempt all questions.

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
• Question numbers  9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
• Question number 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. Which industry was the first to be mechanised during the Industrial Revolution?
(a) Textile industry
(b) Iron and steel industry
(c) Automobile industry
(d) Agriculture industry
Ans. (a)

The textile industry was the first to be mechanized during the Industrial Revolution. Innovations like the spinning jenny, the water frame, and the power loom significantly increased the production capacity of textiles, making it one of the leading industries of that era. 

Q2. What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on women's work?
(a) Women were able to find better-paying jobs in factories
(b) Women were excluded from industrial work and remained confined to domestic work
(c) Women were able to enter new professions such as teaching and nursing
(d) Women were forced to work longer hours in factories for lower wages
Ans. (a)

During the Industrial Revolution, many women were employed in factories where they often worked long hours under harsh conditions for lower wages than men. While factory work provided new employment opportunities, it also led to exploitation and difficult working environments for women. 

Q3. Even at the end of the nineteenth century, ________ of the total workforce was employed in technologically advanced industrial sectors.
(a) Less than 70 per cent
(b) More than 80 per cent
(c) Less than 20 per cent
(d) More than 50 per cent
Ans. (c)

Even at the end of the nineteenth century, less than 20 percent of the total workforce was employed in technologically advanced industrial sectors. Most workers were still employed in traditional industries or agriculture, as the transition to advanced industrial sectors was gradual.

Q4. Which of the following statements are true about Gomasthas?
(a) In many weaving villages, there were reports of clashes between weavers and gomasthas
(b) The new gomasthas were outsiders with no long-term social link with the village
(c) Gomasthas had a close relationship with weavers
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Ans. (d)

Gomasthas were agents appointed by the East India Company to supervise weavers, collect supplies, and ensure that the cloth was delivered to the Company. They were often outsiders with no long-term social link with the villages, which led to tensions and clashes between weavers and gomasthas. They disrupted the traditional relationships between weavers and their local patrons or merchants, causing resentment among the weavers.

Q5. What was the significance of the 'Crystal Palace Exhibition' held in London in 1851?
(a) It showcased the latest technological advancements and industrial products
(b) It celebrated the traditional arts and crafts of Britain
(c) It was a political rally against the Industrial Revolution
(d) It showcased the wealth and power of the British Empire
Ans. (a) 

The Crystal Palace Exhibition, also known as the Great Exhibition of 1851, was significant because it showcased the latest technological advancements, industrial products, and innovations from around the world. It was the first international exhibition of its kind, highlighting the achievements of the Industrial Revolution and promoting trade and industry. 

Q6. Why was the East India Company interested in expanding textile exports from India during the 1760s?
Ans. After the 1760s, as the East India Company strengthened its control, there was no immediate drop in textile exports from India. At that time, the British cotton industry had not yet developed significantly, and Indian fine textiles were highly sought after in Europe. Therefore, the Company was eager to increase textile exports from India to meet this demand. 

Q7. Name any four major centres of cotton textiles in India during the colonial period.
Ans.

1. Bombay (established in 1854)
2. Kanpur (established in 1860)
3. Ahmedabad (established in 1861)
4. Madras (established in 1874)

Q8. What was the fly shuttle?
Ans. The fly shuttle is a mechanical device used in weaving. It uses ropes and pulleys to insert horizontal threads (called the weft) into vertical threads (called the warp). The invention of the fly shuttle allowed weavers to operate larger looms and produce wider pieces of cloth more efficiently.

Q9. What were guilds? How did they make it difficult for new merchants to set up businesses in towns in England?
Ans. Guilds were associations of artisans or merchants with exclusive rights to trade and produce goods in a city. They made it hard for new merchants to enter the market by:

1. Restricting Entry: Limiting who could join the trade.
2. Controlling Competition: Setting rules that reduced competition.
3. Training Control: Ensuring only guild-trained individuals could practice the trade.

Q10. How did industries develop in India in the second half of the nineteenth century?
Ans. In the second half of the nineteenth century, industries in India began to develop as follows: 

• Growth of Cotton Textiles: The cotton textile industry expanded with new mills opening in cities like Bombay, Ahmedabad, and Kanpur. This growth was driven by local demand and the decline of British imports after the First World War.

• Rise of Indian Industrialists: Local entrepreneurs, such as the Tata family, began investing in industries, setting up factories, and developing various sectors, including steel and jute.

• Infrastructure Development: The British built railways and ports, which facilitated the movement of raw materials and finished goods, supporting industrial growth.

Q11. Why could Manchester never recapture its old position in the Indian market after the First World War?
Ans.

Q12. What problems did Indian cotton weavers face in the 19th century?
Ans. In the 19th century, Indian cotton weavers faced many difficulties:

1. Decline in Exports: The demand for Indian textiles in foreign markets dropped significantly, hurting weavers' incomes.
2. Competition from British Imports: The local market was flooded with cheap cotton goods from Manchester, made by machines. These products were much cheaper than handwoven Indian textiles, making it hard for weavers to compete.
3. High Cost of Raw Cotton: In 1860, weavers struggled to get good quality raw cotton. The American Civil War cut off cotton supplies to Britain, so Britain turned to India. This increased the export of raw cotton from India, driving up prices. Weavers had to buy raw cotton at high prices, making weaving unprofitable.
4. Competition from Indian Factories: Factories in India started producing large quantities of cotton goods, flooding the market. This made it even harder for traditional weavers to compete and earn a living.

Q13. What was the impact of the First World War on British industries? 
Ans. After the First World War, British industries faced significant challenges:

1. Decline in Manchester's Market Position: Manchester, once a major player in the global textile market, could not regain its former dominance in the Indian market.
2. Economic Struggles: Britain struggled to modernize and compete with industries from the US, Germany, and Japan. This led to economic difficulties and a decline in Britain's industrial strength.
3. Collapse in Cotton Production: Cotton production in Britain fell sharply, and exports of cotton cloth from Britain decreased dramatically.
4. Rise of Local Industries in Colonies: In the colonies, local industrialists began to strengthen their positions, replacing foreign goods with local products and capturing the domestic market.