Question

The economy is recovering slowly due to cautious consumer spending. Businesses are adapting by focusing on cost efficiency and streamlined operations.
Which of the following sentences logically completes the paragraph?

• A. However, global trade remains stagnant.
• B. As a result, innovation is driving growth.
• C. Consequently, many firms are investing in digital solutions.
• D. In contrast, unemployment rates are rising.
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Hint:

For para completion questions, choose a sentence that continues the paragraph's theme and uses logical connectors (e.g., "consequently") to reflect cause-effect relationships.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

- Step 1: Analyze the paragraph's theme. The paragraph discusses a slow economic recovery due to cautious consumer spending and businesses' response through cost efficiency and streamlined operations, indicating adaptive strategies.
- Step 2: Identify the logical continuation. The completion should logically follow the theme of business adaptation, ideally with a connector like "consequently" to indicate a result of the mentioned strategies.
- Step 3: Evaluate the options.
- Option (1): "However, global trade remains stagnant" introduces a contrast and shifts focus to global trade, which is unrelated to the paragraph's theme of business adaptation, making it incorrect.
- Option (2): "As a result, innovation is driving growth" is positive but vague, as the paragraph does not mention innovation explicitly, only cost efficiency and streamlining.
- Option (3): "Consequently, many firms are investing in digital solutions" uses "consequently" to show a result, and digital solutions align with cost efficiency and streamlined operations, making it a strong candidate.
- Option (4): "In contrast, unemployment rates are rising" introduces a negative contrast unrelated to the focus on business strategies, so it is incorrect.
- Step 4: Test option (3). Adding "Consequently, many firms are investing in digital solutions" logically extends the paragraph, as digital solutions (e.g., automation, software) are a practical way to achieve cost efficiency and streamlining.
- Step 5: Confirm coherence. Option (3) maintains the paragraph's focus on business responses to economic conditions, unlike options (1) and (4), which shift topics, or option (2), which is less specific.
- Step 6: Final conclusion. Option (3) Consequently, many firms are investing in digital solutions is the correct answer, as it provides a coherent and logical completion.
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