358. Because the children keep interrupting her whenever she reads a book, she is always _____ her place.

　A. loosing B. missing C. losing D. looking for

357. As he had no friends and relatives in the town, the traveler tried to find a _____ somewhere.

　A. log B. lodge C. landing D. lodging

356. Russia's withdrawal of its experts from China did not strangle (压垮) the Chinese people; _____ it stirred up their enthusiasm for greater exertions.

　A. on the other hand B. on the contrary C. to the contrary D. in consequence

355. She has lost her handbag with the _____ sum of $150 in it.

　A. extraordinary B. important C. considerable D. valuable

354. Many people complain of the rapid _____ of modern life.

　A. rate B. pace C. speed D. growth

353. The government is _____ and will take the necessary steps to maintain security and stability.

　A. on the alert B. out of control C. on guard D. in vain

352. Carl wanted to play a joke on Bob but gave himself _____ by laughing.

　A. away B. in C. out D. up

351. The rapidly growing birth rate brings about a lot of environment problems, which the government is supposed to take _____.

　A. significantly B. severely C. earnestly D. seriously

350. The two dogs started to fight, so we tried to _____ them.

　A. split B. separate C. tear D. divide

349. Japan has to employ an increasing number of overseas workers because there is no easy solution to its labor _____.

　A. decline B. rarity C. vacancy D. shortage