In the following passage ten blanks are left out labeled with letters A, B, C…

2025

In the following passage ten blanks are left out labeled with letters A, B, C and so on. You have to choose a set of words that is correct grammatically and contextually in order to fill the blank.

The Union Cabinet has approved a series of changes in foreign direct investment norms as the government prepares to enter the last lap of its economic policy-setting phase ahead of the 2019 election. Key among these was the decision to _____ 1 _____ up to 49% overseas ownership, including by a foreign airline, in Air India. This comes just a little more than six months after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its nod for a strategic _____ 2 _____ of the airline. The relaxation in ownership norms clears the decks for possible bidders such as the Singapore Airlines-Tata combine and Jet Airways — with its overseas equity and route partners — to make a more detailed commercial _____ 3 _____ of the investment opportunity the state-owned flag carrier presents. For the fiscally constrained government, the _____ 4 _____ couldn’t have come sooner. With the Union Budget due soon and the government _____ 5 _____ short of its budgeted strategic disinvestment goal for the current financial year — as of end-November, only 28% of the targeted ?15, 000 crore had been realised — the hope must be for an _____ 6 _____ timetable for the stake sale. Still, the fulfillment of a necessary condition for a strategic sale doesn’t automatically become sufficient grounds for a successful privatisation. Given the carrier’s accumulated debt of about ?50, 000 crore and the fact that the interest of potential investors is likely to be focused on Air India’s _____ 7 _____ long-haul international routes and its fleet of more than 40 wide-bodied aircraft, disinvestment will be neither easy nor guaranteed. At the very least, the government needs to set a distinct, _____ 8 _____ road map for the sale process. The other reform cleared by the Cabinet was the _____ 9 _____ decision to put 100% FDI in Single Brand Retail Trading under the ‘automatic’ route, accompanied by the long-sought relaxation of mandatory local sourcing norms. This had been a major issue with potential investors including Apple, which had repeatedly urged the government to take a more _____ 10 _____ view given the level of technological advancement incorporated in its products and the difficulty in finding local sources of supply at the requisite scale.

Choose a set of words that is correct grammatically and contextually in order to fill the blank 10

(question no 1 till 10 are linked together)

  1. A.

    concentrated, focused

  2. B.

    genial, chipper

  3. C.

    benign, mild

  4. D.

    lively, brisky

Attempted by 22 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

The passage discusses the government's decision to relax mandatory local sourcing norms, indicating a more lenient approach toward foreign investors. The blank requires an adjective that reflects a relaxed or accommodating attitude, particularly in response to investor concerns about supply chain challenges.

Words like 'benign' and 'mild' convey a gentle, non-confrontational stance, which aligns with the context of easing regulations. These terms are appropriate for describing a policy shift that is responsive to investor needs.

In contrast, 'concentrated' and 'focused' suggest intensity, which does not fit the context of relaxation. 'Genial' and 'lively' imply emotional positivity, which is not relevant to policy decisions. 'Brisky' is an informal term that does not suit the formal tone of the passage.

The correct choice must reflect a policy stance that is accommodating and non-restrictive, matching the context of easing investment rules.

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