During the dinner, a lady’s critical comments on my new dress really left me _______. After an awkward silence, I only sat there embarrassed.

A. in a mess                        B. in a dilemma                  C. at a loss                         D. at random

At the party, all the others seemed to know each other well; Catherine sat alone at the table in a corner, feeling ________.

A. cut off                            B. kicked out                           C. left out                          D. squeezed out

When it comes to the civil war in Syria, the US government’s attitude towards it has experienced a(n)_______ change , which may have a positive effect on Syria present situation.

A. superior                                  B. superb                                  C. subtle                                   D. stubborn

What shocked the police and the people around most was that the kidnapper suddenly ______his pocket and took out a gun in a desperate attempt to escape with the kidnapped child.

A. dived into                             B. slipped into                       C. slid into                        D. fit into

Women and children, generally referred to as non-power group, are more likely to become _____ targets for thieves and robbers.

A. approximate                           B. primitive                     C. prime                           D. precise

According to Wang Lijun, Chongqing’s former vice-mayor and police chief, Bo Xilai seemed to have been involved in helping himself _______seek personal gains in the past.

A. anyway                           B. anyhow                       C. somehow                     D. somewhat

 As a businessman, Mr. Green is a complete failure. Being lazy may well be one of the______to his success.

A. drawbacks                       B. shortcomings           C. disadvantages          D. barriers

 It is reported that floods and serious loss of soil and water have _______an ample amount of mud in the Yellow River, making pumping water out of it hard for farmers around.

A. accelerated                         B. snatched                       C. deleted                     D. deposited

 The Fifth Euro-Asia Economic Forum, held in Xi’an on 1^st October, 2013, is aimed to ____ economic exchanges between Asia and Europe.

A. preserve                         B. promote                              C. accomplish                         D. update