No. 1 The rumor about the company has spread rapidly ------- thousands of employees. (A) among (B) along (C) aside (D) astride No. 2 We would like to congratulate April Port ------- winning the Best Employee of the Year award. (A) for (B) at (C) because (D) as No. 3 There is great business potential in Internet start-ups these days, so ------- attracted many talented young people. (A) it could (B) they can (C) they have (D) it will No. 4 Mr. Abbot had ------- selling his property and had to lower the price. (A) money (B) pain (C) minor (D) trouble No. 5 The human ------- department of Virginia Home Deco is currently planning campus hiring for fall. (A) development (B) assignment (C) management (D) resources No. 6 ABC's customer center tries to avoid leaving a customer ------- for more than 20 seconds. (A) for hold (B) on hold (C) on hand (D) in hand No. 7 ------- the meeting finished pretty late, Nancy was waiting for me to ask me some questions. (A) Nevertheless (B) Still (C) However (D) Although No. 8 SANA's new shampoo had been on the market for not ------- three months when the company suddenly stopped all of its production. (A) only (B) many (C) quite (D) still No. 9 The database is going to be down ------- maintenance purpose at midnight. (A) against (B) under (C) for (D) with No. 10 The latest cellular phone sold ------- in a minute when it hit the shelves. (A) around (B) out (C) in (D) over