17. The influence of the last _______ 12 storm on the central region is so disruptive that the local authority had to spend months to surmount the consequence. A. power B. energy C. force D. velocity

16. If traipsing around shops does not ________ to you, perhaps using a catalogue will do. A. appear B. attract C. access D. appeal

15. Regardless of family background, we always think of each other _______ true friends. A. as B. like C. same D. similar

14. The two business partners failed to agree _______ some points of the contract, so they arranged to meet up another day, after considering their own company’s interest. A. with B. at C. on D. for

13. As estimated in the report, the storm _______ great damage to not only the coastal cities but the mountainous areas as well. A. make B. cause C. lead D. bring

12. There was a time when human beings worried that all of the earth’s surface would be __________ covered with lava were a giant meteor to hit the planet. A. thickly B. fully C. densely D. totally

11. Some teachers have tendency to _________ preference to students with disadvantaged backgrounds such as poor and handicapped students. A. lend B. give C. deliver D. send

10. Despite the development of e-books and online reading materials, printed books are still regarded as a wonderful _______ of entertainment. A. resource B. place C. source D. replacement

9. That manufacturer is worldly-known for selecting only ingredients that meet their very strict _______ for quality and renewability. A. demands B. necessities C. criterions D. requirements

7. The recent heavy rains have contributed to ease the water _________ resulted from the severe prolonged drought. A. shortage B. lack C. absence D. deprivation