24 The city has made great strides in tourism:_________ its abundant historical sites, temples, and religious festivals, it boasts a myriad of local culinary delights.
(A) because of
(B) despite
(C) in addition to
(D) just as

20 This experiment was conducted to test the proposition that positive expectations by teachers could_________ an increase in students’ intellectual competence. (A) attribute to (B) cause to (C) lead to (D) object to

21 The durian, a spiky fruit native to Southeast Asia, has been variously described by its detractors as smelling_________ garbage, moldy cheese or rotting fish. (A) as if (B) like (C) such as (D) with

22 _________fertility and prosperity in Chinese culture, the Year of the Pig is considered lucky for bearing a child. (A) Addicted to (B) Alert to (C) Aligned with (D) Associated with

23 A major factor in the population problem since the mid-nineteenth century has been the increasing acceptance of contraceptive techniques, bringing about planned limitations of families _________among those lacking the knowledge. (A) besides (B) except (C) in particular (D) regardless of

25 Today, aborigines_________ less than 2 percent of Taiwan’s population, numbering around 430,000. (A) amount to (B) close to (C) consist in (D) up to

26 The police advised the news reporters _________their lives in jeopardy by going any nearer to the scene of the riot. (A) not put (B) not putting (C) not to put (D) that should not put

27 The excesses of the media have come under scrutiny over how young people are used as sources in news stories. (A) The media has been using too many young people as the sources of their news stories. (B) The media has started to pay more attention to their excessive coverage of young people. (C) The excessive use of young people in the production of news stories has been censored by the media. (D) The way the media uses young people as sources in news stories has started to be closely watched.

28 People often poke fun at progress, possibly because technology often presents new problems as it attempts to solve old ones. (A) People embrace the idea of progress because technology has greatly improved their lives. (B) People hold a dubious attitude toward progress because new problems may arise from technology. (C) People have a lot of fun using technology to solve their problems, though new problems may come alongside the use of technology. (D) People keep a distrustful eye on progress because new problems often cannot be solved by technology.

29 Kids enjoy talking of Spiderman as if he _________a real person, a contemporary of theirs. (A) has been (B) is (C) does (D) were

30 Loyal friends who derive as much pleasure from your success as you do are the best leverage in business. (A) Friends who feel happy about your success are those who you may want to do business with. (B) Friends who like to take advantage of you may pose a great threat to your business. (C) Friends who enjoy doing business with you may work as good partners. (D) Friends who are optimistic and open-minded can help you get ahead in business.