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The Industrial Revolution was a time of enormous growth in industry, primarily due to the invention of machines that could produce goods faster and better than ever before. This revolution began in Europe in the eighteenth century when machines for the textile and iron industry were first invented and with the development of the steam engine. Factories were built to help create goods in a timely and efficient manner. As a result, people began to move away from farms and into cities, where they could obtain reliable work and wages. This revolution in industry later extended to the United States as well.
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The Industrial Revolution included innovations in several different areas. Steam-powered ships and railroads made transportation faster and more reliable. Communication also improved with the invention of the telegraph. This device transmitted messages across the country in a fraction of the time that it took to send a letter. In addition, the financial industry boomed with the establishment of the London and New York stock exchanges.
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In general, people benefited greatly from this time. The upper and middle classes made fortunes from investments and new business opportunities. Their standard of living increased as the introduction of mass-produced goods provided more options and availability of items. The working class did not experience as many benefits at first. They received low wages in return for working long hours in factories, and they lived in overcrowded and unsanitary apartments. However, the conditions of the working class improved in the late 1800s with the establishment of unions and laws to improve factory conditions.
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Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a time of significant achievement and the beginning of a new and improved manufacturing age. This time period improved the quality of life for society and helped to develop the modern world we know today.
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Multiple Choice Question
How is the Industrial Revolution portrayed differently in the two passages?
A.
In the story it is mysterious, but in the article it is lighthearted.
B.
In the story it is disbelieving, but in the article it is accepting.
C.
In the story it is childlike, but in the article it is educational.
D.
In the story it is grim, but in the article it is positive.
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The correct answer is:
D. In the story it is grim, but in the article it is positive.
The passage presents the Industrial Revolution positively, highlighting innovations, economic growth, and improvements in quality of life, while acknowledging the initial hardships faced by the working class. In contrast, the implication in the question suggests that there may be a more grim portrayal of the Industrial Revolution in a story not provided here.
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