Stock Market Reaction Vocabulary
The question asks for the correct verb to describe how stock markets reacted to negative news, specifically the news of a coup.
Analyzing Options
- Poised: Means ready or prepared. Stock markets aren't typically described as 'poised' to react to sudden negative news; they react immediately.
- Plugged: Means sealed or blocked. This is irrelevant to market movement.
- Probed: Means investigated. While markets might be analyzed after an event, they don't 'probe' at news.
- Plunged: Means fell suddenly and dramatically. This accurately describes a sharp, negative reaction in the stock market following significant bad news like a coup.
Conclusion
Negative events like a coup often cause significant fear and uncertainty, leading to a rapid sell-off. Therefore, plunged is the most fitting word to describe the stock market's reaction.