Class 10 English: Advanced Reading Comprehension

1. Q1. Read the following passage carefully: The advent of the Industrial Revolution fundamentally reshaped human society, transitioning from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. This period, spanning roughly from the late 18th to mid-19th century, witnessed unprecedented technological innovation, particularly in Great Britain. Key inventions like the steam engine, the power loom, and the cotton gin drastically increased production efficiency and spurred the growth of factories. While these advancements led to a significant accumulation of wealth and the rise of a new mercantile class, they also brought about profound social dislocations. Urbanization intensified as people migrated from rural areas to burgeoning industrial centres in search of work, often living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. The factory system, with its long hours, low wages, and dangerous working environments, created a new working class, the proletariat, whose struggles became a central theme in later social and economic thought. Child labour was rampant, and women were often employed in hazardous roles for even lower pay than men. Environmental degradation became a pressing concern as factories belched smoke and wastewater into the air and rivers. Despite these grim realities, the Industrial Revolution laid the groundwork for modern capitalism, global trade, and the eventual rise in living standards for many, albeit at a considerable human and environmental cost in its initial phases. Which of the following was NOT a direct consequence of the Industrial Revolution?
   • Increased urbanization
   • Rise of modern capitalism
   • Decreased global trade
   • Widespread child labour
2. Q2. The passage suggests that the 'mercantile class' primarily gained prominence due to:
   • Their traditional landholdings
   • The decline of the factory system
   • The accumulation of wealth from industrial advancements
   • Their focus on agrarian economies
3. Q3. The Industrial Revolution marked a societal transition from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by ____ and machine manufacturing.
4. Q4. The term 'proletariat' as used in the passage refers to:
   • Owners of the factories
   • The new working class
   • Agrarian landowners
   • Wealthy merchants
5. Q5. According to the passage, what specific negative environmental impact was observed during the Industrial Revolution?

+ 5 more in the printable PDF.