Curioustab Logo Curioustab
Home » Verbal Reasoning » Assertion and Reason

Directions: For the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) given below, choose the correct alternative. Assertion (A): The steam engine was invented by James Watt. Reason (R): There was a serious problem of taking out water from flooded mines, which created a need for such an engine.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This Assertion–Reason question comes from basic history of science and technology. It deals with James Watt and the development of the steam engine, as well as the practical industrial problem of pumping water out of flooded mines. Many school-level narratives credit Watt with the steam engine and link it to the needs of the Industrial Revolution.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Assertion (A): The steam engine was invented by James Watt.
  • Reason (R): There was a problem of taking out water from flooded mines.
  • We consider the simplified school-textbook view that attributes the major steam engine breakthrough to Watt.
  • The industrial context includes coal mines getting flooded with groundwater.


Concept / Approach:

Historically, several inventors contributed to steam engine development, but in many educational curricula James Watt is credited with inventing or significantly improving the steam engine used in industry. The Reason talks about the practical problem of pumping water, which was indeed a driving factor for early steam engine designs. Our task is to judge whether this practical problem is an appropriate explanation for the development of Watt-type steam engines.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Evaluate Assertion (A). At the school level, James Watt is generally described as the inventor of the practical steam engine, even though earlier versions existed. For exam purposes, A is treated as true. Step 2: Evaluate Reason (R). In the early phases of the Industrial Revolution, mines were often flooded with water, making the extraction of coal difficult and dangerous. Engineers needed a powerful mechanical way to pump this water out. Step 3: The first large-scale applications of steam engines were indeed in pumping water from mines, before later uses in locomotives and factories became common. Step 4: Thus, the existence of a serious mine-flooding problem created strong economic and technical incentives to design and refine steam engines. Step 5: In that simplified historical narrative, R correctly explains why the invention and improvement of steam engines, including Watt’s design, were so important and timely.


Verification / Alternative check:

History references often mention that early steam engines like those improved by Watt were first installed in coal mines to pump water. Only later were they adapted to drive factory machinery and locomotives. This consistently supports the link between flooded mines and the development of steam engines.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Claiming that both A and R are true but R is not the explanation ignores the strong historical connection between mine drainage problems and steam engine development.

Saying A is true but R is false contradicts well known industrial history, where mine pumping is a classic example of early steam engine use.

Stating A is false but R is true would also conflict with the standard exam-level understanding that credits Watt with the steam engine.


Common Pitfalls:

Some learners may recall that Newcomen and others worked on steam engines before Watt and therefore feel unsure about A. However, Assertion–Reason questions at this level usually follow textbook convention rather than detailed scholarly debate. Focus on what your level of exam expects rather than deep historiographical nuance.


Final Answer:

The correct option is Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

← Previous Question

More Questions from Assertion and Reason

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion