Choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence. 1. Catherine was greatly taken ____ by Joan's caprice. A. aback B. aside C. about D. apart 2. There is no evidence that any member of the Ministry of Education is _____ in the affair. A. aggravated B. complicated C. involved D. insinuated 3. We could have provided that manual laborers with almost any object of his desire upon his retirement, but he ______ asked for an oil painting by Winston A. mainly B. solely c. specifically D. decidedly 4. I_____ that you won't be inviting that frantic and grudging man to the party. A. instruct B. entrust C. rely D. assume 5. There was _____ applause at the end of the performance. A. frantic B. ferocious C. fervent D. fanatic 6. He is never free on Saturday evenings as he has a(n) _ ____arrangement to go to the concert with his friend as a change of atmosphere. ' A. long-lived B. long-range C. ever-lasting D. long-standing 7. To some people, the working hours are never long enough. Take Peter for example; having made his latest film earlier this month, he is ______ starring in a Broadway musical. A. lately B. currently C. factually D. actually 8. I'd rather you_____any hobbies until you really feel the need to do so. A, don't cultivate B. didn't cultivate C. won't cultivate D. wouldn't cultivate 9. Her reward _______ no relation to the dedication she displayed. A. held B. offered C. bore D. yielded 10. Because of her poor constitution, it took her a long time to ____ her bad cold and begin the process of recuperation. A. throw away B.throw down C.throw over D.throw off 11. I have no time to cultivate a hobby or new forms of interest; I am_____ in work. A. up to my ear, B. round my neck C. over the top D. round the bend 12. As you can see, this is a highly _____ computer system. A. intelligent B.absorbing C. harmonized D. sophisticated 13. We_______ our argument with a great many convincing figures and facts. A. held B. supported C. sustained D. maintained 14._____ you find yourself in a condition or being troubled or worried about some trifles, please cultivate a hobby. A. Could B. Should C. Might D. May 15. People who are bored to death have a (n) ____to shun company. A. temper B. affectation C. tendency D. nature 16. She destroyed the only witness's credibility by _____that he had ulterior motives. A. referring B. insinuating C. alluding D. reminding 17. Always use a suntan cream to protect your skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s_____ when you have the chance of playing a game of football or baseball on Sunday afternoons in summer. A. waves B. light C. rays D. beams 18. I felt I would never _____ the shock of his being worked to death. A. get off B. get by C. get through D. get over 19. It is_____ that any constructive interest can lend fascination to a drear existence. A. commented B. claimed C. warranted D. proclaimed 20. These unfortunate people cannot ignore the situation forever, one day they will have to ____ the consequences of their caprice and satiation. A. face up to B. look up to C.stand up to D.wake up to