In the following passage, there are blanks each of which has been numbered.…
2026
In the following passage, there are blanks each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words have been suggested, one of which fills the blanks appropriately.
Recently the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released separate reports on poverty. The World Bank _____(1)_____ its benchmark of extreme poverty by 25 cents from $ 1 per person per day to $1.25 per person a day. The ADB announced an even _____(2)_____benchmark of $1.35 per person a day. These new benchmarks are based on surveys in the world’s poorest countries. Experts often like to claim that poverty has declined because of economic growth in India and China. This is wrong and _____(3)_____ In the past twenty – five years the poverty rate in India has _____(4)_____by less than one – percentage point a year. Whether we use a poverty line of $1 per person per day or $1.25 per person per day makes little difference. The number of poor in India is large. The purpose of these statistics is not to dispute them but to _____(5)_____ whether the benefits of economic growth are being shared with the poor
Find out the appropriate word in case 4
- A.
deplete
- B.
plunge
- C.
declined
- D.
weaken
Attempted by 346 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct answer: declined
Explanation:
Grammar fit: The sentence uses the structure 'has ___ by', so a past participle is required. 'Declined' is the appropriate past participle, producing 'has declined by less than one percentage point a year.'
'Declined' collocates naturally with rates and percentages and correctly describes a reduction in the poverty rate.
Why the other choices are wrong:
- 'Deplete' means to exhaust a supply and does not describe a rate falling.
- 'Plunge' implies a sudden, steep fall and contradicts the description of a very small annual change.
- 'Weaken' refers to loss of strength or influence and is not a natural verb to describe a numerical rate decreasing.
Therefore, 'declined' is the best choice.