Final answer:
The nickname 'Celtic Tiger' refers to Ireland's strong economic growth during the 1990s, drawing a parallel to the 'economic tigers' of Asia. The correct answer is A) Tiger.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1990s economic upsurge in Ireland, which was characterized by significant growth in high-tech companies, communication firms, and tourism, earned Ireland the nickname 'Celtic Tiger.' This term was adopted to represent Ireland's robust economic performance during that period, similar to the concept of economic tigers in Asia, which signifies countries with rapidly growing economies such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion did not continue into the 21st century, and the Irish economy suffered from the global financial crisis that began in 2007, with a sharp increase in unemployment, serious banking scandals, and plummeting property values following.
The answer to the student's question is A) Tiger, which alludes to the idea of an economic tiger, a term broadly used to describe economies that show aggressive and fast growth.