IBPS Clerk Prelims 2 Sep 2023 Shift 1 Paper

Question Numbers: 73-79
Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
There are many other takeaways. While pre-poll surveys suggested that inflation topped voters’ ___(1)___, abortion rights came second. While the Republicans tried to cash in on voter ___(2)___ over high inflation, many of their candidates’ anti-abortion positions did not help them in the polls. Second, the results showed that Donald Trump is not as powerful as he appeared to be. During the Republican primaries, the former U.S. President’s endorsement mattered a lot. But it does not carry the same weight in the general elections. Several of the candidates he ___(3)___ were defeated, while at least two Republican winners were unwelcome to him — Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. While Mr. Trump is expected to make his 2024 bid this week, many Republicans are already ___(4)___ him for the party’s less-than-expected performance. The results have also underscored the unstoppable ___(5)___ of Mr. DeSantis. His landslide win in what was called a swing State has ___(6)___ calls by Republican donors for his presidential bid. Many see Mr. DeSantis as a more ideologically disciplined right-winger than Mr. Trump (who, in their view, could lead the party to victory). The midterm has set the stage for 2024. The Democrats have lost ground, but still stay strong. The Republicans are set to take the House but are internally divided, and right-wing extremism is not winning the party votes. How the parties address these challenges will ___(7)___ their fate in 2024.