23. Joan: What do you want for your birthday gift?
Betty: Mom, may I have a puppy? We've talked about this. Now I'm old enough to take care of
one.
Joan: OK. _______________
Betty: Sure! I'd love to get one from the animal shelter.
(A) Instead of renting one, let's buy one.
(B) Instead of making one, let's borrow one.
(C) Instead of buying one, let's adopt one.
(D) Instead of borrowing one, let's purchase one.

19. Mike: My friends are raving about Netflix's newest hit The Queen's Gambit. Emma: _______________ Mike: To me, it's the title, the plot, and the characters. Emma: Thanks for your recommendation. I'm gonna follow it.(A) What else do your friends enjoy watching?(B) What's so interesting about this TV series?(C) I'll book a meeting room for your presentation.(D) I'm following the latest fashion trend on social media.

20. Susan: I'm starving. Let's grab a bite. Teddy: What kind of food do you want? Susan: _______________ Teddy: OK. I think we can find some in the cafeteria.(A) I have a craving for tacos.(B) I have a poor appetite recently.(C) I'm good at being a couch potato.(D) I'm cooking by following a recipe.

21. Tiffany: I'd like to get a part-time job this semester since tuition's gone up so much. Angela: That makes sense. Did you discuss it with your parents? Tiffany: Yes, I did. They told me not to work too many hours a day. Angela: I can't agree with them more. _______________(A) They'd prefer you not to study.(B) Above all, we should work hard.(C) They'd like you to work long hours.(D) After all, we're here to go to school.

22. Aaron: Do you have the sales proposal with you? Mike: Hold on! It's in my briefcase and I left it in my apartment. Aaron: I'll wait here, but _______________ or we'll be late for work. Mike: Thanks for reminding me about the proposal. I'll be right back.(A) make it quick(B) make ends meet(C) take turns to look for the proposal(D) take a rain check on your invitation

24. Jacky: Is it safe to travel in the States during the pandemic? Linda: Why? _______________ Jacky: Bingo! I was assigned to host a launch event in Florida next month. Linda: Poor you! Buy both medical and travel insurance before your trip.(A) Is Disney World in Florida closed?(B) Are you going there on business?(C) A fancy restaurant was reserved for the party.(D) My flight was cancelled because of the pandemic.

25. Tina: Hi, Alan. _______________ Alan: The 2020 Nobel prize winner Louise Glück's poetry The Wild Iris. Tina: What a coincidence! I've just read the news yesterday. Alan: Fantastic! Let's look forward to the discussion.(A) Where're we gonna meet for the library tour?(B) Would you mind inviting Justin for a chat over coffee?(C) Shall I check the last meeting notes on my smartphone?(D) What're we gonna read for the next book club meeting?

26. (A) Being taken in (B) Having taken in (C) Take in (D) Taken in

27. (A) a decrease (B) a decreased (C) an increase (D) an increased

28. (A) Compared with (B) Familiar with (C) Opposed to (D) Similar to

29. (A) loss (B) edge (C) diet (D) output