Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The fact that less than 20 per cent of Britain's workforce was in technologically advanced industrial sectors tells us that Britain's economy was not as fully industrialised as often believed. Traditional and non-mechanised industries — such as food processing, furniture making, pottery, and glass work — still dominated. The typical worker was a craftsperson or labourer, not a machine operator. New technology spread slowly due to high costs and merchant caution. Thus, industrialisation was a gradual, uneven process, with domestic and small-scale production remaining significant alongside factory industries.

Source: The Age of Industrialisation, Chapter 4 — Section 1.2, The Pace of Industrial Change

---

• Examiners want you to use the statistic as evidence to argue that Britain's economy remained predominantly traditional/non-mechanised even in the late 19th century.
• Key points to cover: dominance of traditional industries, slow spread of technology, the "typical worker" being a craftsperson, and the role of domestic production.
• Avoid simply restating the statistic — explain what it implies about the nature of the economy.
• The answer should make at least 3 distinct points for 3 marks.