Q.(a) Write a short note on :

Production carried out in several successive stages is a processing industry, so the answer is (c).

The chapter on classification of business activities divides manufacturing industries by the way they treat raw materials:

• Analytical industry — a single raw material is analysed/separated into several products (e.g. refining crude oil).
• Synthetic industry — several raw materials are combined into one product (e.g. cement, soap). …

Among industry, commerce and trade, it is industry (production) that locks up large capital in raw materials, machinery and processing over long periods before goods can be sold, so it bears the highest risk.

Business activity is divided into industry (production) and commerce (distribution and aids to trade). Industry converts raw materials into finished or semi-finished goods. This requires:

• Heavy investment in plant, machinery and raw materials.
• A long gap between spending and earning, during which prices, demand and technology can change.
• Uncertainty about whether the output will sell profitably. …

The correct match is (1)-(ii), (2)-(iv), (3)-(i), (4)-(iii), option (d).

Tertiary (service) industries are further sub-classified, and each type has typical examples:

• (1) Personalised Service → (ii) Servants, maid — services rendered to individuals personally.
• (2) Public Service → (iv) Schools — services provided to the public/community.
• (3) Distributive Service → (i) Logistics — services that help move and distribute goods. …

The answer is option (c) Industry, which normally involves the highest level of risk among business activities.

Business activity is broadly divided into industry and commerce (trade + aids to trade). Comparing the risk involved:

• Industry deals with the extraction, production and processing of goods. It requires heavy fixed investment in plant and machinery, holds large stocks of raw material, and has a long production cycle before goods can be sold — exposing it to price changes, technological obsolescence and demand uncertainty. Hence its risk is the highest. …

The correct answer is (a) Industry. Industry, being concerned with production, carries the highest level of risk.

In the Tamil Nadu HSC Commerce syllabus, business activity is broadly divided into industry (production) and commerce (distribution, which includes trade and aids to trade):

• Industry involves converting raw materials into finished goods. It needs heavy capital investment in land, machinery and materials, and a long gestation period before returns are realised. Changes in technology, demand or prices during this period expose industry to the highest risk. Hence (a) is correct. …