In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered.…
2024
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/phrases are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
The digital economy is carving out new divides between capital and labor, by allowing one firm, or a small number of firms, to capture an increasingly large market share. With “superstar” companies operating globally, and (_____1_____) markets in multiple countries simultaneously, market concentration throughout the Group of 20 developed and major emerging economies has increased considerably in just the past 15 years. To address this phenomenon, the G20 should create a World Competition Network to restore competition and address income inequality between capital and labor. As a larger share of total income shifts to capital across many G20 countries, the World Competition Network would seek to (_____2_____) the decline in labor’s share of GDP. During the period after World War II, 70% of national GDP went to labor income, and the remaining 30% to capital income. John Maynard Keynes described the (_____3_____) of the labor share as something of a “miracle.” But the rule has since broken down. Between the mid1980’s and today, labor’s share of world GDP declined to 58%, while capital’s share rose to 42%.The digital economy is carving out new divides between capital and labor, by allowing one firm, or a small number of firms, to capture an increasingly large market share. With “superstar” companies operating globally, and dominating markets in multiple countries simultaneously, market (_____4_____) throughout the Group of 20 developed and major emerging economies has increased considerably in just the past 15 years. To address this phenomenon, the G20 should create a World Competition Network to restore (_____5_____) and address income inequality between capital and labor.
Find the appropriate word in each case 2
- A.
extricate
- B.
reverse
- C.
discumber
- D.
stagnate
Attempted by 134 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: reverse.
Explanation: The passage argues that a World Competition Network should act to change the falling share of income going to labor. The verb that best expresses changing a downward trend so that it moves in the opposite direction is "reverse."
Why "reverse" fits: It directly conveys turning the decline around (for example, "reverse the decline in labor’s share of GDP").
Why "extricate" is incorrect: It means to free from a constraint; it does not collocate with changing a statistical trend.
Why "discumber" is incorrect: This is an uncommon/archaic word (and appears as an unusual form). Even if taken to mean 'free from burden,' it does not naturally express reversing a decline in a quantitative share.
Why "stagnate" is incorrect: It means to stop changing or to remain inactive; the passage calls for active measures to change the trend, not to freeze it.
Conclusion: "Reverse" is the most appropriate choice because it accurately captures the intended policy goal of turning the downward trend in labor’s share around.