Carcass wrote:
The sentence has two contrasting parts:
1. First part (before the comma): The stock market has done well overall in the past 2 years.
- Key phrase: "Notwithstanding the fact that..." (meaning despite the fact that...)
2. Second part (after the comma): There have been periods when the market did something precipitously (suddenly and sharply).
- This part must contrast with the first part (since "notwithstanding" sets up opposition).
Analyzing Blank (i): Describing Strong Market Performance
We need a word that fits "the stock market has experienced strong $\qquad$ in the past 2 years."
Possible choices:
- A. expansion (growth in size/value) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Fits well.
- B. burgeoning (rapid growth) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Also fits, but slightly less common for stock markets.
- C. extension (lengthening in time/space) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Doesn't fit market performance.
Best choice for Blank (i): A. expansion (most natural for markets).
Analyzing Blank (ii): Contrasting Sharp Declines
The second blank must describe what the market did precipitously (steeply/suddenly). Since the first part was about growth, this part should show sudden drops.
Possible choices:
- D. surge (a sudden rise) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Wrong (doesn't contrast; also "precipitous surge" is redundant).
- E. stabilization (becoming steady) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Wrong ("precipitous stabilization" is illogical).
- F. nadir (lowest point) $\(\rightarrow\)$ Correct ("reached a nadir precipitously" = fell sharply to a bottom).
Why the Other Options Fail
- If we pick B. burgeoning for Blank (i), F. nadir is still the best for Blank (ii).
- D. surge would make the sentence nonsensical (no contrast).
- E. stabilization doesn't match "precipitously."
Final Answer
Blank (i): A. expansion
Blank (ii): F. nadir
Full sentence:
"Notwithstanding the fact that the stock market has experienced strong expansion in the past 2 years, there have been periods in which the market has reached a nadir precipitously."
This means: Even though the market has grown overall, it has also had sudden, sharp drops.
question requires outside knowlegde. That's where the problem arises. Burgeon is still common being used for market activities, though.