How Did the Expansion of Railroads Accelerate the Second Industrial

question 40

Multiple Choice

How did the expansion of railroads accelerate the second industrial revolution in America?

• A) The division of time into four zones allowed businesses to communicate by telegraph for the first time.
• B) Railroads created a true national market for U.S. goods.
• C) Large banks were now able to locate in western railroad towns.
• D) The adoption of a standard railroad gauge made private and federal land grants more available.

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Definitions:

Break-even Sales

The amount of revenue needed to cover a business's total fixed and variable costs, marking the point at which a business neither makes a profit nor a loss.

Unit Variable Cost

The cost associated with producing one additional unit of a product, varying with the volume of production.

Wage Contract

An agreement between an employer and an employee that stipulates the terms of employment, including pay rate and job responsibilities.

Variable Costs Per Unit

Costs that vary with the level of production or sales volume, calculated on a per-unit basis.