Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Road and rail transport are complementary because each has unique strengths the other cannot match.

Why roads cannot replace railways:

1. Railways are the principal mode for carrying large volumes of freight and passengers over long distances more economically.
2. Railways bind the economic life of the country and integrate industry and agriculture over vast distances — a scale roads cannot achieve.
3. A single train replaces hundreds of trucks, making bulk transport far more efficient.

Why railways cannot replace roads:

1. Roads can traverse dissected, undulating terrain and steep gradients (e.g., Himalayas) where laying railway lines is difficult or impossible.
2. Roads provide door-to-door service, reducing loading/unloading costs — railways require trans-shipment at stations.
3. Road transport is economical for small quantities of goods and few passengers over short distances.
4. Roads act as feeders to railways, airports and seaports, linking them to interior areas.

Source: Chapter 7 — Roadways and Railways sections

---

• The examiner expects both sides of the argument: limits of roads AND limits of railways. Missing one side loses marks.
• Use textbook phrases like "door-to-door service," "principal mode," "feeder to other modes," "dissected topography" — these signal you've read the chapter.
• 5 marks → roughly 5 distinct points; the answer above gives 3+4 but a student can write 3+3 comfortably.
• Do not write a vague general essay; use labelled/numbered points for clarity and easy examiner marking.