The recent turbulence in the financial markets has caused banks to ________ their lending standards, making it ________ for small businesses to qualify for loans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The word "turbulence" implies a negative impact on the financial markets. "Tighten" means to make something stricter or more stringent. Therefore, banks have made their lending standards stricter or more stringent due to the recent turbulence in the financial markets. The word "more difficult" indicates that it will be harder for small businesses to qualify for loans.

The Recent Turbulence in the Financial Markets Has Caused Banks