The most accurate response to how the Industrial Revolution contributed to the development of free-market capitalism is:
The Industrial Revolution fueled the development of free-market capitalism by putting its ideas into practice. Innovation fueled industrial development, generating more wealth. This, in turn, led to more money being poured into increasing productivity even more.
This response captures the essence of how the Industrial Revolution, through technological advancements and increased production, created a dynamic economy where wealth accumulation and investment in productivity became central features of a burgeoning capitalist system. The rise of factories and mass production required capital investment and encouraged competition, which are key components of free-market capitalism.