No. 1 If you have any questions ------- the midterm exam, please ask your teaching assistant. (A) about (B) under (C) around (D) behind No. 2 The package arrived the day before -------, which was much earlier than Mary expected. (A) yesterday (B) today (C) tomorrow (D) now No. 3 There has been a ------- decline in share prices this year because of wars and conflicts all over the world. (A) short (B) sharp (C) shiny (D) shy No. 4 The manager emphasized that we had to focus on understanding changing customer -------. (A) needing (B) needed (C) needy (D) needs No. 5 A ------- decision regarding the acquisition is going to be made at the next board meeting. (A) critical (B) conceptual (C) criminal (D) chronological No. 6 "As a result, all of the products by the food manufacturer were ------- as ""all-natural""." (A) recalled (B) brought (C) replaced (D) labeled No. 7 Kate will meet our visitors in the lobby and then ------- them some explanation about the museum. (A) gives (B) giving (C) gave (D) give No. 8 ------- Kimberly had a lot of trouble right after she started her own business, she managed to run the business for more than 10 years. (A) Although (B) Even (C) As a result (D) Despite No. 9 The landlords benefited substantially from the continuous rent ------- in 1980s, when many people came to the area in search of work. (A) grow (B) grew (C) growth (D) grown No. 10 Ms. Hyde is an ------- analyst and also teaches at a university in London. (A) economy (B) economic (C) economical (D) economist