The impact on the budget was likely to be _____, lasting a long time.

• A. Indelible
• B. Indicate
• C. Income
• D. Indigenous

Answer: (A)

You're looking for an adjective that conveys a long-lasting, possibly permanent effect on the budget. Indelible fits because it means something that cannot be erased or forgotten, implying a lasting impact that remains over time. While it’s often used for memories or marks, it can describe effects that are permanent in financial terms as well. The other options don’t describe lasting impact: indicate is a verb meaning to point out or show; income is money received; indigenous means native to a place. So indelible is the best choice to express a lasting, enduring effect on the budget.