Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
Over the past few decades, India has undergone a significant economic transformation, emerging as one of the world's fastest growing major economies. This shift began in the early 1990s with economic liberalisation policies that reduced trade barriers, deregulated industries and encouraged foreign investment. These reforms spurred rapid growth, leading to a substantial reduction in poverty and the rise of a sizable middle class.
The technology sector, particularly information technology (IT) and software services, has been a cornerstone of this growth. Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune have become global IT hubs, hosting numerous multinational corporations and startups. This boom has not only created millions of jobs but also positioned India as a leader in the global digital economy.
Infrastructure development has also played a crucial role. The expansion of road networks, modernisations of ports and development of airports have improved connectivity within the country and with the global market. Initiatives like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) have streamlined the taxation system, fostering a more unified national market.
However, challenges remain. Income inequality persists with a significant portion of the population still lacking access to quality healthcare, education, and sanitation. The agricultural sector, which employs a large segment of the workforce, faces issues such as low productivity and vulnerability to climate change.
Looking ahead, India's focus is on sustainable development, leveraging renewable energy sources and fostering innovation. With a young and dynamic population, the country aims to balance economic growth with social equity, ensuring that the benefits of progress reach all its citizens.
Choose the correct synonym for "Fostered" as used in the passage:-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Encouraged
- Foster (verb) means to encourage or help something to develop. In the passage, GST is fostering a more unified national market, that is, helping such a market to grow. The passage also speaks of India fostering innovation, in the same sense.
Example: Good teachers foster curiosity in their students. - Encouraged means supported or helped to develop. To foster a unified market is to encourage its growth, so encouraged is the synonym of fostered.
Example: The new policy encouraged small businesses to export their goods.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Persisted — Incorrect. To persist means to continue firmly or to go on existing. It does not mean helping something grow.
Example: The rain persisted all through the night.
Option 3: Hindered — Incorrect. To hinder means to block or slow down progress. It is the opposite of foster.
Example: Heavy traffic hindered the ambulance.
Option 4: Expanded — Incorrect. To expand means to make larger in size or extent. A market can be expanded, but foster is about nurturing and supporting growth, not just making something bigger.
Example: The company expanded its business to three new cities.
Note: In the original NTA paper, Option 3 read "Leveraged". NTA accepted this option as a correct answer as well. To leave only one correct answer and avoid confusion for students, it has been changed here to "Hindered".
Advice for the exam: In the real exam, mark the answer that is grammatically or factually correct. If NTA’s provisional answer key marks a different option, challenge it during the answer-key challenge window and give the reason in one or two lines.
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