Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Weavers producing fine and specialised varieties of cloth could withstand mill competition better for two reasons:

1. Stable demand: Fine cloth was bought by the wealthy, whose purchasing power remained stable even during famines and bad harvests. Coarse cloth was bought by the rural poor, whose demand fluctuated violently in hard times.

1. Impossible to imitate: Mills could not replicate specialised handwoven designs. Items like Banarasi saris, Baluchari saris, Madras lungis and handkerchiefs could not be displaced by mill production.

Source: The Age of Industrialisation, Section 5.1 – Small-scale Industries Predominate

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This question directly targets one specific paragraph in the source. Examiners expect both reasons — stable demand from the rich AND the inability of mills to copy specialised weaves. Missing either point costs a mark. Keep the answer tight: name specific examples (Banarasi saris, Madras lungis) to show you've read the text — examiners reward this.