17. An African-centered academy is teaching children the great history of the pre-colonial kingdoms rather than the melancholy history of slavery as if that _____ their first start into history.
(A) be
(B) are
(C) been
(D) were

13. Recently divorced, our neighbor downloaded an app of online dating _____ new and true love. However, no one believed he’d find an ideal mate from the virtual world. (A) in search of (B) in addition to (C) in supply for (D) in accordance with

14. A: Stop playing the video games on your computer all day long! B: Come on, it is just the start of our summer vacation. A: Alright, I’ll leave you alone, if you choose to be a _____. (A) hot potato (B) baked potato (C) sweet potato (D) mouse potato

15. A: Wow, it finally comes to the day of our trip.                                                                                       B: Yes, I am so excited now. _____.                                                                                                            A: Sure, the bus will be coming in 30 minutes. (A) Let’s hit the road. (B) It’s all Greek to me. (C) You are the apple of my eye. (D) Don’t put all your eggs in a basket. 

16. In spite of the fast development of technology, machines should be designed to make people work _____ instead of replacing them. (A) less productive (B) more productive (C) more productively (D) less productively

18. _____ strike a balance between the advantages of high-tech advancement and its disadvantages is still a question unanswered. (A) What (B) How to (C) Wherever (D) No matter when

19. _____ in the pond, a crowd of hippos which used to live there were forced to move to a new place. (A) Being no water (B) No water was there (C) There was no water (D) There being no water

20. But for your timely assistance last year, I _____ my goal of earning the first place in the tournament this year. (A) have not reached (B) had not reached (C) had not been reached (D) would not have reached

21. _____ in paper, the dish of Hainanese chicken and rice is a Singaporean meal and comfort food. (A) Wraps (B) Wrapped (C) Wrapping (D) Wrappers

22. Candidates are required to take five tests, _____ of Chinese, English, math, natural science and social science. (A) include (B) included (C) inclusive (D) including

23. _____ I feel discouraged, my teacher always encourages me with positive feedback and concrete advice. (A) Whoever (B) Whenever (C) Whatever (D) Whichever