______ so many difficulties, we’re on the right path.

A. in spite of
B. despite of
C. although
D. though

Each person’s abilities are measured _______ the job requirements and expected tasks.

A. for
B. at
C. in
D. against

The manager always tries to encourage people to ________ up with their own ideas to approach problems.

A. put
B. come
C. take
D. use

So long as you stick to it, the moment will definitely come ______ you can have your dream come true.

A. when
B. that
C. which
D. where

This is the book the cover of _______ is designed by Mr. Jones.

A. that
B. whom
C. which
D. it

I walked up to the top of the hill with my friends, ______ we enjoyed a splendid view of the lake.

A. who
B. where
C. whom
D. that

I borrowed the book Sherlock Holmes from the library last week, ______ my classmates recommended to me.

A. that
B. when
C. as
D. which

The boss of the company is trying to create an easy atmosphere _____ his employees enjoy their work.

A. where
B. that
C. which
D. why

One night, when I was eight, my mother gently asked me a question I would never forget. “Sweetie, my company wants to 1 me but needs me to work in Brazil. This is like your teacher telling you that you’ve done 2 and allowing you to skip a grade, but you’ll have to 3 your friends. Would you say yes to your teacher?” She gave me a hug and asked me to think about it. I was puzzled. The question kept me 4 for the rest of the night. I had said “yes” but for the first time, I realized the 5 decisions adults had to make.For almost four years, my mother would call us from Brazil every day. Every evening I’d 6 wait for the phone to ring and then tell her every detail of my day. A phone call, however, could never replace her 7 and it was difficult not to feel lonely at times.During my fourth-grade Christmas break, we flew to Rio to visit her. Looking at her large 8 apartment, I became 9 how lonely my mother must have been in Brazil herself. It was then 10 I started to appreciate the tough choices she had to make on 11 family and work. 12 difficult decisions, she used to tell me, you wouldn’t know whether you made the right choice, but you could always make the best out of the situation, with passion and a 13 attitude.Back home, I 14 myself that what my mother could do, I could, too. If she 15 to live in Rio all by herself, I, too, could learn to be 16. I learnt how to take care of myself and set high but achievable 17.My mother is now back with us. But I will never forget what the 18 has really taught me. Sacrifices 19 in the end. The separation between us has proved to be a 20 for me.

When Joe was about to start school, all signs pointed to success. Yet things turned out to be quite disappointing. The fourth grade even found him at the bottom of the class. Joe struggled day and night, but it did not work ---- until one stormy afternoon.On that afternoon, 1 the math teacher started to introduce difficult concepts, dark clouds covered the sky, and the storm set in. Hard though she tried to make the kids 2, the thunder won the battle for their attention. No one 3 the concepts. Except for Joe. He understood them and answered all the questions correctly. The teacher patted him on the back, and told him to go around to the others and explain how he had managed it. 4 by his newfound success, Joe moved quickly throughout the room. Soon math time was followed by the time for 5. All children naturally drew 6 pictures on such a day. Except for Joe.Since then, Joe started 7. Though he never made it to the top, his math teacher was always 8 and curious about the change: Why had that stormy day changed Joe?On the day Joe graduated, he presented the teacher with his most 9 possession --- the picture of a bright yellow sun. On the picture Joe had written: This is the day I 10 my brightness.