Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The two most dynamic and fastest-growing industries in Britain during the first phase of industrialisation up to the 1840s were cotton and metals.

Cotton was the leading sector in this phase. Its production boomed rapidly — raw cotton imports rose from 2.5 million pounds in 1760 to 22 million pounds by 1787. After the 1840s, the iron and steel industry took the lead, especially with the rapid expansion of railways, which greatly increased demand for these metals.

Source: Chapter 4, Section 1.2 – The Pace of Industrial Change

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• The question is direct and factual — name both industries and briefly support each with evidence from the passage.
• Examiners expect: cotton named as the leading sector in Phase 1, and metals/iron & steel as the other dynamic industry.
• One supporting detail per industry (e.g., import figures for cotton; railway expansion for iron & steel) strengthens the answer for 3 marks.
• Do not confuse the phases: cotton dominated up to the 1840s; iron and steel led after that.