Which common cause of deforestation becomes clear by studying railways and shipbuilding together?

Correct answer: Heavy colonial demand for timber

Correct answer: A. Railways required large quantities of wood for sleepers, which supported and fixed railway tracks, and ships also needed strong timber for construction and other parts. As colonial transport and trade expanded, the demand for suitable timber increased. Forests were therefore cut to supply these projects and industries. Option A is correct because it identifies the shared material demand behind both railway building and shipbuilding. B is unrelated to the construction requirement. C concerns food, not the main building material. D is imaginary and has no historical connection. The question asks for a common cause, so focus on the resource used by both activities rather than on their different functions. Memory cue: railways plus ships equals a major timber demand.