PAPER # 1
**Instructions:**
1. This exam consists of two sections: Section A (Multiple Choice Questions) and
Section B (Short Answer Questions).
2. For Section A, select the correct answer by circling the corresponding letter (A, B, C,
D) on your answer sheet.
3. For Section B, provide detailed answers in the spaces provided.
**Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)**
1. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a stock market index?
A. It represents the performance of a single stock.
B. It includes all stocks in the market.
C. It is used to track the performance of a specific sector.
D. It is a measure of inflation.
**Answer: B**
2. What does the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) help investors calculate?
A. Expected return on an investment
B. Market risk premium
C. Inflation rate
D. Total portfolio risk
**Answer: A**
3. Diversification in a portfolio can help reduce which type of risk?
A. Market risk
B. Inflation risk
C. Systematic risk
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, D. None of the above
**Answer: C**
4. What is a 'blue-chip' stock?
A. A low-risk, stable, and well-established company
B. A start-up company with high growth potential
C. A small company with high volatility
D. A speculative stock with low market capitalization
**Answer: A**
5. What is the primary goal of an investor who follows a 'buy and hold' strategy?
A. Frequent trading to maximize short-term gains
B. Speculative investing in high-risk assets
C. Long-term ownership of assets with minimal trading
D. Frequent portfolio rebalancing
**Answer: C**
**Section B: Short Answer Questions (5 marks each)**
6. Explain the concept of risk-return trade-off in investments and how it influences
portfolio management decisions.
**Answer:** The risk-return trade-off is a fundamental concept in investments that
suggests a direct relationship between the potential return and the level of risk
associated with an investment. In simple terms, investors expect a higher return for
taking on higher levels of risk. This means that riskier investments have the potential for
higher returns, but they also carry a greater likelihood of loss.
In portfolio management, this concept influences decision-making in several ways.
Investors must assess their risk tolerance and investment goals to determine the
appropriate balance between risk and return. A conservative investor may opt for a
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