Multiple choice

Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. From the five choices available you are required to choose the one which best fits the sequence logically.

If the prices of oil remain above $60 a barrel, into the second quarter of the year and beyond, Asia's economies begin to suffer. Oil importers - the majority of Asian countries - will be sorely bruised by the price shock. (______) At least as serious as the direct impact of higher prices, however, will be the secondary, external effects.

  1. This means less demand globally for Asia's non-oil exports, which in turn means weaker demand at home for oil importers.

  2. Asia will be the region of the world hit hardest by higher oil prices in terms of growth, warns International Monetary Fund economist David Robinson.

  3. Some countries are more vulnerable than others.

  4. Economic Outlook states that the world's GDP will grow by just 3.4%, not by 3.7% as the IMF had forecast.

  5. This might turn out to be a great economic shock for these Asian countries.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The whole passage is about the likely adverse impact of high oil prices on the Asian economies. The last sentence speaks of higher prices. Hence, it is logical that (2) should be the ideal option. Even syntactically 'at least as serious as' fits in coherently with 'the world hit hardest'.  Hence, option (2) is the correct answer. 

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