Stock markets _______ at the news of the coup.
A. poised B. plunged C. plugged D. probed
GATE 2020 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium
Answer: B. plunged
Understand the context: A coup creates extreme political uncertainty. Investors react by selling, causing markets to drop sharply.
Match options to context: A. poised — means ready/balanced, not a reaction. B. plunged — sharp sudden fall, fits perfectly. C. plugged — blocked, irrelevant. D. probed — investigated, irrelevant. B is the answer.