Notwithstanding the fact that the stock market has experienced strong
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24 Apr 2025, 22:54
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.