15.  ______ proper preparation John thought it better to postpone the lecture tour till next week.

A. Having made                           B. To make

C. Not having made                        D. Not to have made

16. The driver was asked to given a(an) ______ of the accident.

A. statement                             B. account

C. situation                              D. amount

17. He was left in ______ of the store when the manager was away.

A. charge                                 B. care

C. responsibility                            D. management

18. Accidents are quite ______ on this part of the highway.

A. ordinary                                B. popular

C. common                                D. regular

19. When the boy was only four, his father decided to ______ a musician of him.

A. develop                                B. build

C. make                                  D. do

20. ______ medical science, we can expect to live to a good old age.

A. As for                                B. According to

C. Instead of                             D. But for

21. Suddenly the chair caught fire. The boys quickly ______ the fire with water and an old coat.

A. suppressed                            B. wiped out

C. destroyed                             D. put out

22. Our plan ______ unexpected opposition from the retired workers.

A. came to                               B. came by

C. ran over                               D. ran into

23. The small family business ______ a company of international importance.

A. grew into                             B. broke into

C. ran into                              D. made into

24. Professor Wang is a person you can ______ for advice.

A. turn up                               B. turn into

C. turn to                               D. turn down

25. Standing up to empty your basket gives you a chance not only to ______ your back, but to look at the scenery.

A. stretch                               B. raise

C. lift                                  D. move

26. A great deal of communicating is performed on a person-to-person ______ by the simple means of speech.

A. base                                  B. foundation

C. ground                                D. basis

27. Take the money with you ______ something unexpected happens.

A. now that                              B. in case

C. unless                                D. if