Housing prices ________ since the end of the last year. Therefore, it’s time the central government ________ some effective measures to bring them under control.

A. have increased; would take

B. have increased; will take

C. have been increasing; take

D. have been increasing; took

Little Tom was frozen with fear when the accident happened, so he just gave some ________ answers when asked about what he witnessed.

A. concreteB. abundantC. apparentD. vague

—It was such a difficult examination that a lot of students were unable to finish it on time.

—That’s the case. It’s hard to accept the fact that over 90% of my classmates ________.

A. should failB. should have failed

C. will failD. may fail

This medicine is quite beneficial to your recovery after the operation, ________ you take it as told.

A. unlessB. providingC. consideringD. since

—Have you heard that our primary school will be torn down next year?

—Really? I suppose it is such bad news ________ most of its former and present students will feel upset about.

A. thatB. whichC. asD. what

________ the danger of traveling on the lonely island, they would not be trapped now.

A. Have they been informed ofB. Were they informed of

C. Should they be informed ofD. Had they been informed of

To be an artist is not easy, but sometimes dreams can be a rich source of ________—for an artist.

A. occasionB. identificationC. inspirationD. occupation

It is reported that a new shopping mall will be built in ________ was farmland decade ago.

A. whatB. whichC. whereD. that

Mr. Green is always devoted to his work and has a sense of responsibility. That’s why he was asked to ________ the company when manager’s health was declining.

A. take overB. hand overC. turn overD. trip over

Even great minds ________, so we don’t need to underestimate ourselves.

A. are the apple of their eye

B. have their feet of clay

C. are in the red

D. are green with envy