One relative advantage of water transport over road transport is its

Analyze the question: It asks for a relative advantage of water transport compared with road transport. So we need the feature where water transport clearly beats road transport.

Explain the concept: Water transport (ships, barges, boats) is the cheapest means of moving goods over long distances. Its main strengths are:

• Very large carrying capacity, so it can move bulky and heavy goods such as crude oil, cement, grains, timber and containers.
• Low cost per tonne carried.

Its main weaknesses are slow speed, limited reach (it only serves places with waterways or ports), and vulnerability to bad weather such as storms and fog.

Check each option:

• A. A great speed over long distances: Wrong. Ships are slower than road vehicles, and much slower than air transport.
• B. Capacity for carrying bulky goods: Correct. One ship can carry thousands of tonnes, far more than a lorry or trailer.
• C. Ability to link all parts of a country: Wrong. This is an advantage of road transport, because roads are flexible and give door-to-door service. Water transport is limited to coasts, rivers and lakes.
• D. Ability to withstand bad weather: Wrong. Water transport is easily disrupted by storms, rough seas and low river levels.

Answer: The relative advantage of water transport over road transport is its capacity for carrying bulky goods.

Tip: Remember "Water = Weight". Water transport is slow but cheap and can carry heavy loads. Road transport is flexible and offers door-to-door service. When a question compares transport types, match each to its strength:

• Water: bulk and heavy goods
• Road: flexibility and door-to-door delivery
• Air: speed
• Rail: heavy goods over land