8. What a_________ ! The package on my desk was supposed to be delivered to our client last Monday. What’s worse, the one wrongly delivered by your secretary contains the model of our latest product—one of our biggest business secrets. Someone must pay for this.

4. Economic depression is actually the best timing for purchasing_________ because houses and land pieces are not so expensive as they used to be. Besides, one pays less interest money for mortgage, as the interest rate goes down.

5. To avoid the spying eyes of the curious but hostile public, gays and lesbians of the city _________ in specific pubs and cafes; such places provide a safe space for them to look for dates or simply to relax. Strange &ces are generally not welcomed.

6. When three top players of the NBA team are forced to withdraw from the season for either leg injuries or legal trouble, it seems a_________that the team will not make it to the playoffs, let alone the finals.

7. Before TV stations put political talk shows _________, they should monitor the programs in case the guest commentators spread messages of ethnic hatred or simply libels~though these stuffs may boost ratings.

9. Ben is a nuisance in the dormitory; he often_________ snacks or instant noodles left on his roommates’ desks. Since they don’t know what to say to him about his near-stealing acts, they lock their food away in closets when he is around.

10. A small country trapped in the contest between two superpowers is in a difficult situation. It is not easy for its government to dedde which superpower to _________or Aether simply to remain neutral, not forming alliance with either one at all.

1. Which use of the word “pool” is different in meaning from the other two? (A)This pool belongs to the whole village, and so do the fish in it. Everyone living here has the right to catch them for use or sale. (B)The government should not cut down on the budget for higher education, or the pool of intellectual labor will shrink away faster than the demand for it. (C)Nothing is more enjoyable than swimming in the pool under the hill during summertime. Everyone could enjoy Ihe fun and no one needed to pay for it.

2. Which use of the word “argue” below has a different meaning from the other two? (A)Couples often argue over the proper way of educating their children, as &thers may like the children to enjoy more freedom but mothers may want tighter control over them. (B)Animal-right activists argue that more than one million stray dogs are injured or killed ev«y year and people should pay more attention to their welftre. (C)It is argued that the common ancestors of human beings came from Africa about two million years ago.

3. In the following passage, which word in bold charactef is NOT used correctly? On December 8,1941, when the sun was (A) rising to the sky and sentries were (B) rising national flags to the sounds of trun^et, no soldiers at the Pearl Harbor knew that threats were (Q arising from beyond the horizon with Japanese bombers approaching.

4. Which use of the word