18. Tomatoes, potatoes, and hot peppers, all originally from South or Central America, are among several plants that have disproportionately influenced cooking around the world. This happened only after a few intrepid eaters got beyond common fears about potatoes, tomatoes, and other products.  
(A) brave
(B) conscientious
(C) reckless
(D) surly 

14. The patient looks melancholy and despairing; and sometimes he gnashes his teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him. (A) gnaws (B) grinds (C) munches (D) pokes

15. Dr. Frankenstein has described himself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secretes of nature. In spite of the intense labor and wonderful discoveries of modern philosophers, he always came from his studies discontented and unsatisfied. (A) concerned (B) infused (C) derived (D) regulated

16. People tend to feel unhappy because someone has something that they desire; however, jealousy can be detrimental to relationships and cause problems at work. (A) suspicious (B) determinant (C) pernicious (D) hostile

17. Children suffering from severe malnutrition are susceptible to illness. It is reported that many African children have become blind because their diet is deficient in vitamin A. (A) entitled (B) subordinate (C) immune (D) prone

II. Questions 19- 20, choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the original sentence.19. A major new survey by the Economic Business Strategy has revealed that businesses intend to prioritize international markets over domestic ones in the next three years. (A) It has been revealed by a business survey that home markets will take priority over international sales during the next few years. (B) It is the intention of businesses to push ahead on both the domestic and international fronts during the next three years, according to a major new survey.   (C) There has been more international than domestic business during the past three years, according to an important new survey. (D) International business oppoutunities will take precedence over domestic ones in the next few years, according to an important new business survey.

20. Although very little is known of Taiwan's early history, carbon dating of domestic implements found in the south of the island suggests that people have lived there for at least ten thousand years. (A) There is evidence to suggest that Taiwan has been populated for over ten thousand years. (B) The small amount of evidence available suggests that people came to northern Taiwan only recently. (C) Carbon dating techniques have produced a wealth of information about Taiwan's early settlers. (D) Ten thousand years ago, Taiwan was an important trading center with an expanding population.

21. (A) detect (B) detects (C) detected (D) detecting

22. (A) over (B) among (C) toward (D) behind

23. (A) bond (B) pose (C) cast (D) fade

24. (A) shrug (B) shield (C) shrink (D) shroud