Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Peasants suffered greatly — agricultural prices fell sharply (wheat by 50%), yet the colonial government did not reduce revenue demands. Peasants fell deeper into debt and were forced to mortgage land and sell gold.

Urban salaried workers, however, were better off. Their fixed incomes remained the same while falling prices meant everything cost less, raising their real purchasing power.

Reason for difference: Peasants' income depended directly on falling market prices, while salaried employees' income was fixed and unaffected by price crashes.

Source: Chapter 3, Section 3.5 – India and the Great Depression

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• The key contrast is variable income (peasants) vs. fixed income (salaried workers) — this is what examiners expect you to identify.
• Always use data from the passage (e.g., "wheat prices fell 50%") to strengthen your answer.
• Don't confuse "urban workers" (factory/industrial labour) with "salaried employees/landowners" — the passage specifically says the latter benefited.