15. In the end, three votes determined the ________ of the election.(       )

A. outcome                                                  B. outlook

C. output                                                     D. outbreak

16. ________ good luck and sufficient funds, Jack became very successful in business.(       )

A. Not that                                                  B. What with

C. What if                                                   D. Only if

17. Mrs. Smith had ________ debts totally more than $20,000 when she died.(       )

A. gone round with                                       B.figured out

C. run up                                                     D. bound up with

18. As I say, I am not ________ to reveal any of the details of negotiations at present.(       )

A. in a position                                             B. in possession

C. accustomed                                            D. honored

19. Strangely, Bill keeps his office neat as pin, while his home is always in a state of ________ .(       )

A. chaos                                                      B. clarity

C. charity                                                    D. chorus

20. ________ friends helped him to get appointed ambassador to France.(       )

A. Efficient                                                  B. Influential

C. Impressive                                              D. Effective

Directions B: There are 20 sentences in this section. In each sentence there is a word or phrase underlined. Below each sentence there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the one answer that can replace the underlined part of each sentence without changing its original meaning.

21. The messenger boy had come to break the sad news to the Mexican woman, but he lost his nerve when she was in such an emotional state.(       )

A. held his tongue                                         B. lost his temper

C. lost his courage                                        D. broke down