In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.
__________ various signs of economic slowdown such as languishing industrial production and adverse __________ of the drought on rural livelihoods and demand, the government is apparently unable __________ unwilling to increase public spending to __________ people’s material distress or to kick-start economic __________ to increase employment.
Select the correct alternative for the first blank:
__________ various signs of economic slowdown such as languishing industrial production
- AAs
- BDespite
- CSo
- DBecause
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
The sentence introduces a contrast. Even though there are clear indicators of an economic slowdown (languishing production, drought), the government is failing to increase spending.
Despite is a preposition used to show contrast, meaning "notwithstanding" or "even with". It perfectly introduces the noun phrase "various signs of economic slowdown".
As and Because are conjunctions that show cause/reason and require a clause (subject + verb).
So indicates a consequence or result.
Therefore, Despite is the correct option.
Despite is a preposition used to show contrast, meaning "notwithstanding" or "even with". It perfectly introduces the noun phrase "various signs of economic slowdown".
As and Because are conjunctions that show cause/reason and require a clause (subject + verb).
So indicates a consequence or result.
Therefore, Despite is the correct option.