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The _____ applauded enthusiastically after the performance was finished.
- audience
- spectators
I haven't seen him ____ over five years.
- since
- for
_____ the fact that it was difficult, the exam also included questions that we had never studied before.
- Besides
- Beside
I told my boss that I wanted a big _____.
- rise
- raise
The article's _____ read "Politician Wants Answers".
- title
- headline
His opinion had no _____ on my decision.
- effect
- affect
He _____ down for a short nap.
- lay
- lie
Could you give me the _____ for that wonderful dessert?
- receipt
- recipe
They _____ his passport on entering the country.
- controlled
- inspected
Please finish your work _____ five o'clock.
- by
- until
He was cooking dinner ______ the football match.
- while
- during
Could you go the store and get me some _____?
- stationary
- stationery
I need to ______ a new button onto my shirt.
- sow
- sew
You will find the book _____ the lamp on the table.
- beside
- besides
You can choose from _____ four prizes!
- between
- among
It's so hot! I need to find some _____.
- shadow
- shade
_____ his having studied French, he found the course very difficult.
- Although
- Despite
The movie was _____ boring he fell asleep!
- such
- so
Try to use your ______ when answering this question.
- phantasy
- imagination
I _____ about how my friend was doing in Rotterdam.
- wandered
- wondered
He should be arriving _____.
- briefly
- shortly
They went to a basketball ____ on Saturday night.
- play
- game
Unfortunately, unemployment is on the ____ again.
- rise
- raise
I wasn't able to do any work because of the _____ interruptions.
- continual
- continuous
You can't wear those trousers! They are _____.
- creased
- crinkled
Did Henry Ford _____ the car?
- invent
- discover
The car needs to have its _____ repaired.
- breaks
- brakes
_____ I'm concerned, you can come along.
- As long as
- As far as
_____ he was reluctant to help, he finally lent a helping hand.
- Despite
- Although
The _____ of the school welcomed the new students to classes.
- principle
- principal
Olympia is the _____ of Washington State.
- capital
- capitol
That painting by Picasso is _____.
- worthless
- priceless
Have you decided _____ you would like to come?
- weather
- whether
You shouldn't leave litter _____ on the ground.
- laying
- lying
I spent my evening _____ television.
- looking at
- watching
The political situation is _____ very unstable.
- actually
- currently
Art _____ is a very subjective matter.
- objection
- criticism
The car tried to _____ the bus on the freeway.
- overcome
- overtake
You will just have to _____ his decision.
- except
- accept
Could you wait a moment? I would like to stop ____ my mother.
- to telephone
- telephoning
Could you give me some _____ on this problem?
- advice
- advise
Please ______ me to pick up some bread at the market.
- remember
- remind
John _____ me $50 until next Monday.
- borrowed
- lent
He _____ us about his trip to Chicago.
- said
- told
His help with the contract was _____.
- invaluable
- valueless
He is a very _____ person. He always has time to listen to people's problems.
- sensible
- sensitive
Jack went to the library to _____ the latest Stephen King novel.
- lend
- borrow
Mary _____ us we had made a good decision.
- assured
- ensured
He _____ the book on the table.
- laid
- lay
Unfortunately, he made quite a serious _____ while working on the plumbing.
- fault
- mistake

