Which of the following pairings is correct?

• A. Henry Bessemer — Steel
• B. Cornelius Vanderbilt — Railroads
• C. Thomas Edison — Assembly line
• D. Andrew Carnegie — Oil

Answer: (B)

Transport and growth in the United States during the 19th century were driven by a strong, integrated railroad network. Cornelius Vanderbilt earned his place as a railroad magnate by buying, merging, and coordinating numerous regional lines into a more efficient nationwide system. His efforts helped standardize routes, schedules, and management, making rail transportation a backbone of American commerce and westward expansion. That direct association with building and shaping railroads is why this pairing fits best.

Henry Bessemer invented a steel-making process in Britain, so while steel is crucial to industry, the pairing isn’t the most accurate for American context. Thomas Edison contributed to many inventions, but the assembly line is more closely linked to Ford’s mass production. Andrew Carnegie is best known for leading the American steel industry, not oil.