With the effects of global warming, trees          their leaves much later in the year.

A. are losing      B. have lost            C. lost             D. were losing 

As the visiting prime minister puts, China’s influence in the world will continue to strengthen ______ its economy grows.  

    A. although         B. until            C. as              D. before

With Shanghai World Expo drawing near, volunteers are making use of every minute to ____ their foreign language because language volunteers must pass a written test and an interview. 

A. polish up        B. take up          C. use up               D. make up

Under no circumstances          to the teacher.  

A. is this the first time he has lied          B. this is the first time he has lied

C. is this the first time has he lied          D. this is the first time he is lying

There are so many beautiful cars________, but he is at a loss which to buy.

A. to be chosen     B. to choose from       C. to choose            D. for choosing

Jane was so     for the news of her lost child that she was almost driven       .

A. proper; madly    B. thirsty; mad         C. sad; madly      D. curious; mad

We were two hours late that day, which was due to the _________.

A. crowded traffic    B. crowded traffics       C. busy traffic              D. busy traffics

______ has recently been done to improve the conditions of elementary schools, a great number of children are unable to go to school.

A. That         B. What                 C. In spite of what    D. Though what

— He should have come to join in the thorough cleaning.

   —He _____, I think. It’s not his turn.    

   A. needn’t have to   B. needn’t have      C. didn’t have to       D. doesn’t need to

The Hotel Al Arab ______ the first and only 7-star hotel in the world was designed in the

shape of a sail of 321 meters.  

A. was considered   B. considering     C. being considered     D. considered