12. Jason prefers to _______ chop garlic so as to add a strong flavor to his Taiwanese beef noodle soup.
(A) abstractly
(B) coarsely
(C) enormously
(D) spiritually

8. Pollution can _______ the quality of soil and water, thus making it difficult for farmers to grow healthy food. (A) compete (B) destroy (C) harvest (D) steam

9. The sudden increase in cyberattacks has created a significant _______ to national security and personal privacy. (A) collar (B) colony (C) thread (D) threat

10. The invention of the silicon chip was a _______ in the history of the computer. It has greatly changed our lives for the better. (A) landmark (B) ministry (C) sacrifice (D) telegraph

11. The government must find a way to _______ the problems caused by increasing traffic jams in the city. (A) recycle (B) resemble (C) resolve (D) revenge

13. Despite his impressive achievements at work, Tony remained modest and never _______ about his success. (A) boasted (B) kneeled (C) reformed (D) wakened

14. More and more young adults have been suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and _______ over the past few years. (A) admiration (B) depression (C) evaluation (D) profession

15. The nationwide trade fair held each year has become a source of _______ for college students to explore new ideas. (A) acquaintance (B) graduation (C) inspiration (D) resistance

16. Custom officer: Hello, madam. Could I please see your passport and arrival card?Traveler: Sure. There you are. I’ve completed the card online.Custom officer: ____________ Are you here for business or vacation?Traveler: I’m here to visit my customers.(A) How’s your vacation going?(B) How’ve you studied English?(C) What brings you here this time?(D) What can you do with a business degree?

17. Jessica: I’ve been getting into baking recently, especially making cookies.Steven: That’s great! ____________Jessica: I tried to stick to the methods my grandma taught me, but I think the cookies I made were a bit too sweet.Steven: That’s a great way to honor your grandma’s tradition! For adjusting the sweetness,I suggest you use a scale to measure sugar levels.(A) Do you think the cakes you made are very sweet?(B) Can you bring the cakes you made for me to try?(C) Can your grandma teach me how to make cookies too?(D) Do you need to follow a recipe exactly when making them?

18. Asher: Lately, I’ve been learning to play chess during my breaks.David: I’ve always thought chess is complicated. How are you finding it?Asher: It’s tough but rewarding. The more you play, the more you improve.David: Maybe you could teach me sometime. ____________(A) I’ve always wanted to learn.(B) I think I’m second to none now.(C) I’m not interested in chess at all.(D) I’m already very familiar with chess.