________, we tried our best to complete it.  
A.Despite the homework was difficult
B.Difficult as the homework was
C.Thanks to the difficult homework
D.As though the homework was difficult

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 31 to 35.
            Urban development is having a direct impact on the weather in many cities worldwide. It has been noticed that the difference (31)______ temperature is usually greater at night and the phenomenon occurs in both winter and summer. Experts agree that this is due to urban development, when open green spaces are replaced with asphalt roads and tall brick or concrete buildings. These materials retain heat generated by the Sun and release it through the night. In Atlanta, in the US, this has even led to thunderstorms (32)______ occur in the morning rather than, as is more common, in the afternoon.
            Large cities around the world are adopting strategies to combat this issue (33)______ it is not uncommon to find plants growing on top of roofs or down the walls of large buildings. In Singapore, the government has (34)______ to transform it into a "city within a garden" and, in 2006, they held an international competition calling for entries to develop a master plan to help bring this about. One outcome was the creation of 18 "Supertrees" – metal constructions resembling very tall trees. Each one is a vertical freestanding garden and is (35)  ______ to exotic plants and ferns. They also contain solar panels used to light the trees at night and also containers to collect rainwater, making them truly self-sufficient.
(Adapted from "The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS" by Pauline Cullen, Amanda French and Vanessa Jakeman)

(34)
A.pledged                    
B.committed              
C.confessed               
D.required

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
My daughter often says that she won’t get married until she _____ 25 years old.
A.will be
B.is
C.has been
D.will have been

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to show the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.
The clerks (A)who are happy to wait for (B)their customers (C)will get promoted (D) soon.
A.A
B.B
C.C
D.D

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.
My brother (A) is (B) enough young to get a scholarship (C) from (D) the government.
A.is
B.enough young
C.from
D.the government

After they ______ their breakfast, they ______ shopping yesterday
A.have / go
B.had/ had
C.had / had gone
D.had had / went

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking _____ accepting opinions without questioning them.
A.in addition             
B.for instance    
C.instead of              
D.because of

His friends supported and encouraged him. He did really well in the competition.  
A.Such were his friends' support and encouragement that he couldn't do really well in the competition.
B.Had it not been for his friends' support and encouragement, he couldn't have done so well in the competition.
C.If his friends had given him support and encouragement, he could have done really well in the competition.
D.No matter how much his friends supported and encouraged him, he couldn't do well in the competition.

________(72)
A.brought
B. entered        
C.placed   
D. worked

VII. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer in each of the following questions.
The pianist was awful! I think that’s ________ performance I’ve ever heard.
A.as badly as
B.as bad as
C.worse than 
D.the worst