How does expansion of railways and plantations in the nineteenth century explain the chronology of deforestation?

Correct answer: It shows that clearing accelerated as demand grew for timber for railways and land for plantations

In the nineteenth century, expanding railways required huge quantities of timber for railway sleepers. Forest land was also cleared for tea, coffee and rubber plantations. Thus, deforestation did not occur uniformly; it intensified at different stages as colonial economic demands expanded. Option B is incorrect because clearing increased progressively through the century, rather than being completed at its beginning. Exam tip: for chronology questions, link each phase to the changing economic demand behind it.