Directions (1-15): 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/ phrase in each case.
India’s external balance sheet may have improved significantly since the infamous taper tantrum of 2013, but there are now ____(1)____ that warrant more caution from policymakers. Last week, the current account deficit (CAD) widened to a four-year high of $14.3 billion in the first quarter of the current financial year, standing at 2.4% of gross domestic product, ___(2)____ to 0.1% last year. The widening CAD __(3)___ driven by a greater increase in merchandise imports ___(4)___ exports. A strong capital account surplus, however, has helped the country __(5)___ for its import bills without much trouble. Foreign investors starved of yield have been stepping up their investments in India, which remains one of the few places offering higher yields. Compared to last year, net FDI almost doubled to $7.2 billion in the first quarter, while net portfolio investment jumped about six times to $12.5 billion. The strong inflow of foreign capital has also __(6)___ to a significant increase in foreign reserve holdings, thanks to the Reserve Bank of India which has been busy buying dollars to weaken the rupee. Forex reserves were at an all-time high of $400.7 billion for the week ending September 8, while the rupee has appreciated by over 6% against the dollar this year. Low global oil prices ___(7)___ the last two years have also helped contain a good portion of its import bills.
All this might change with the impending tightening of monetary policy by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks. After all, emerging Asian markets have been the __(8)____ beneficiaries of loose monetary policy in the West, so any change in stance would most definitely affect them. Indian companies, for instance, have aggressively tapped into the market for rupee-denominated foreign debt, which can work ___(9)____ them if the flow of foreign capital turns volatile. The RBI has been regulating the ___(10)___ and quality of such borrowings, so it may seem like things are under control for now. Further, India’s total external debt declined by 2.7% during the financial year 2016-17, standing at $471.9 billion, driven by a fall in external commercial borrowings and deposits by non-resident Indians. The World Bank, in fact, has said that India’s external dynamics ___(11)____ very favourable given the size of its economy and foreign reserve holdings. But a prolonged period of unfavourable trade balance when combined with volatile international capital flows can __(12)___ to unsavoury macroeconomic situations. According to a __(13)___ by India Ratings & Research earlier this year, a 10% depreciation of the rupee combined with a 50 basis point interest rate __(14)___ can severely affect most Indian borrowers. It added that as much as 65% of foreign debt exposure of Indian companies may be unhedged. As the world looks to withdraw from an era of historically low interest rates, it would be wise for India’s policymakers to be ready with an ___(15)___ plan to tackle a period of significant volatility.
Q1.
(a)style
(b)format
(c)signs
(d)decision
(e)way
Q2.
(a)seen
(b)compared
(c)observed
(d)said
(e)revised
Q3.
(a)are
(b)have been
(c) will be
(d) were
(e) was
Q4.
(a)when
(b)then
(c)than
(d)though
(e) about
Q5.
(a)select
(b)appropriate
(c)given
(d)pay
(e)comprehend
Q6.
(a)prone
(b)sponsored
(c)led
(d)flow
(e)combined
Q7.
(a)during
(b)over
(c)at
(d)about
(e)between
Q8.
(a)bigger
(b)significance
(c)biggest
(d)sustainable
(e)larger
Q9.
(a)beside
(b)against
(c)according
(d)for
(e)alternate
Q10.
(a)amount
(b)detailed
(c)detection
(d)coin
(e)bank
Q11.
(a)stock
(b)remain
(c)stop
(d)imagine
(e)answer
Q12.
(a)lead
(b)sufficient
(c)name
(d)resolve
(e)answer
Q13.
(a)thought
(b)report
(c)paper
(d)view
(e)points
Q14.
(a)decline
(b)increased
(c)booster
(d)accent
(e)hike
Q15.
(a)analogus
(b)emergency
(c)alternating
(d)trust
(e)pre plan