Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

It would be most economical to set up a steel plant near the coking coal source.

The raw materials are needed in the ratio 4:2:1 (iron ore : coking coal : limestone). Since iron ore is required in the largest quantity (4 parts), one might think locating near it is ideal. However, iron and steel is a heavy industry with high transportation costs. Coking coal is needed in significant quantity (2 parts) and is the most expensive to transport over long distances. Historically, this is why the Chhotanagpur plateau became India's major steel hub — it offered proximity to high-grade raw materials at low cost, cheap labour, and good transport networks.

Source: Iron and Steel Industry, Chapter 6

• The question requires reasoning, not just a location — examiners award marks for justification.
• The textbook hints at this through the Chhotanagpur example: proximity to raw materials (especially coal) reduces transport costs.
• Key phrase to use: "heavy industry" with "heavy transportation costs" — this links directly to why source-proximity matters.
• Do not over-explain; 3 marks = one clear location + two solid reasons.