Question 2: Fill in the blanks by matching the sentences in Column A …

Read the passage, observe how numbers and figures are presented in it, and answer the given subquestions. India Vix Records Steepest Slump in Nearly 5 Years The India Vix, a gauge for market volatility, posted its [1] _____ on Tuesday and finished close to record low levels. Analysts said markets may have factored in continuation of the current regime in the general elections. Easing of geopolitical tensions after Israel’s relatively muted response to Iran’s drone and missile strikes may have also contributed to the index [2] _____ to end the session at 10.2.
This was the steepest correction since May 23, 2019, when the results of the 17th Lok Sabha elections were declared, and was [3] _____ since 2008. Unlike now, almost all the bigger declines have occurred on elevated Vix levels.
“Such sharp falls in India Vix were last seen once the general election results were announced. In 2014 and 2019, it dropped [4] _____ and 30 percent respectively on the day of results,” said Apurva Sheth, head, market perspectives and research, SAMCO Securities. Also known as the fear gauge, the NSE calculates the index to measure market anticipation of volatility and fluctuations in the near term. The index is calculated based on option prices. A low reading on the index indicates that traders are not expecting wild swings in the market. Similarly, a higher reading– usually seen ahead of big events such as election results, or the Union Budget– is indicative of uncertainty among market players. “Vix depicts volatility expectations for the next 30 days. The [5] _____, the more confident traders are about the upswing,” said Anand James, chief market strategist, Geojit Financial Services.
Excerpted from: Sethuraman, Sundar. “India Vix Records Steepest Slump in Nearly 5 Years.” Business Standard, Mumbai, 24 Apr 2024.

Fill in the blanks by matching the sentences in Column A to the options appropriate to them in Column B. Each blank will have ONLY ONE answer.

[2] Easing of geopolitical tensions after Israel’s relatively muted response to Iran’s drone and missile strikes may have also contributed to the index _____ to end the session at 10.2.