18. With so many life’s challenges __________, the injured soldier was lucky to have a trained dog around to provide support.

A. overcame　　　　B. overcoming　　　C. to overcome　　　D. being overcome

17. _____________ the ability to speak, so he had to communicate with his friends and family by using sign language.

　 A. As he lost　　 B. He lost　　 C. Having lost　　　 D. His being lost

16. Much to her delight, three ______________ neighbors showed up and several of them even brought with them some candies and cookies.

　 A. dozen　　 B. dozen of　　 C. dozens　　 D. dozens of

15. This old dictionary has been of great _____________ in helping me to learn the English language.

　 A. usefulness　　 B. value　　 C. price　　　 D. cost

14. The engineer has spent one year working in the United States and discovered how things ___________ overseas.

　 A. manage　　 B. promote　 C. operate　 D. transform

13. _________ the fact that the old cars could not go as fast as modern ones, people still watched the race with a great deal of pleasure and excitement.

　 A. Thanks to　 B. Despite　　 C. As far as　　 D. Although

12. __________ only a few politicians took part in the opening ceremony of an international conference will be a great issue for newspapers tomorrow.

　A. That　 B. What　 C. Where　　 D. When

11. ____________ program has been developed up to this date, but none of them are economical enough to be carried out now.

　A. All　 B. Several　 C. Either　 D. Many a

10. The professor recommended the young couple _________ their emotions.

　 A. do not hide　　 B. not hide　 C. mustn’t hide　 D. couldn’t hide

9. Mary _________ gardening as a regular form of relaxation after she got married.

　 A. took up　　 B. caught on　 　　C. brought about　　　　　 D. made for