1.  Attempt to balance the budget were so successful that analysts are projecting a ______ of $2 million over four years.

• A.price
• B.surplus
• C.check
• D.penalty

2.  If you have any information regarding the identity of the man ______ left his car parked in the lot overnight, please contact the security department.

• A.who
• B.whom
• C.whose
• D.which

3.  Experience suggests that small, integrated organizations can operate ______ in critical situations than large firms can.

• A.efficiently
• B.more efficient
• C.efficiency
• D.more efficiently

4.  After ten years spent trying ______ to become the number-one west coast service provider, the corporation finally succeeded.

• A.high
• B.down
• C.hard
• D.soon

5.  Many oil companies are now making alternative energy ______ in an effort to remain competitive in future energy markets.

• A.payments
• B.contributions
• C.donations
• D.investments

6.  The newspaper identified the journalist ______ wrote the anonymous editorial predicting a stock market crash.

• A.which
• B.whose
• C.who
• D.whom

7.  The government agency took control of the oil industry in a desperate attempt to ______ the wildly fluctuating market prices.

• A.acquire
• B.stabilize
• C.assemble
• D.translate

8.  ______ the technicians in the technology department wondered was how to install the data storage device.

• A.That
• B.Whether
• C.Though
• D.What

9.  Out of all the people ______ to speak at the meeting, only one advocated changing the firm's current financial policies.

• A.chose
• B.were choosing
• C.chosen
• D.had chosen

10.  ______ how much the price of our shares rises, we may be able to offer shareholders a larger return on their investments.

• A.Depending on
• B.Resulting from
• C.Leading to
• D.Relying on

11.  After much deliberation, the bank clerk ______ agreed to offer Ms. Johnson a loan in spite of her poor credit history.

• A.steadily
• B.reluctantly
• C.comfortably
• D.inevitably

12.  The writing in the article must be as ______ as possible so that all readers can understand the complex issue.

• A.clear
• B.clearer
• C.clearest
• D.clearly

13.  The ______ of another sudden stock market crash keeps many middle-class citizens from investigating their money.

• A.encounter
• B.prospect
• C.conclusion
• D.refusal

14.  Ms. McMahon would like to speak with ______ attended the annual accounting seminar in Phoenix last weekend.

• A.anyone
• B.however
• C.everybody
• D.whoever

15.  The repairperson could not find the specific problem ______ had caused the computer to crash.

• A.how
• B.whom
• C.what
• D.that

16.  According to the sales director, Ms. Elms is ______ to one of our subsidiaries to collaborate with its sales team.

• A.delivering
• B.visiting
• C.transferring
• D.replacing

17.  We need to conduct extensive background research on the firms from ______ we received bids.

• A.which
• B.where
• C.that
• D.when

18.  The director decided to delegate some of the work to a subcontractor after his employees ______ help with the project.

• A.inquired
• B.requested
• C.asked
• D.insisted

19.  Employees ______ to transfer to the new branch office will receive reimbursements for all moving expense, as well as a bonus.

• A.direct
• B.directed
• C.directing
• D.direction

20.  Support structure under the Main St. bridge have corroded ______ faster than the bridge's designer had predicted.

• A.a lot
• B.so too
• C.very
• D.real

21.  Representatives from the two firms are currently ______ the middle of negotiations concerning a possible joint venture.

• A.in
• B.on
• C.at
• D.within

22.  While you are aboard the ferry, please ______ from smoking, eating, and drinking.

• A.refrain
• B.react
• C.reverse
• D.remark

23.  Please ______ Ms. Merona to let her know that she can pick up her plane ticket to Toronto this afternoon.

• A.conduct
• B.confer
• C.contact
• D.concur

24.  As long as demand ______ the product remains at this level, there is no way our company can lose money.

• A.in
• B.for
• C.to
• D.at

25.  It was quite difficult to find the new office stationery ______ the disorganized contents of the supply cabinet.

• A.about
• B.inside
• C.throughout
• D.among

26.  As the meteorologists described, the hurricane has moved ______ from the coastal area and should not threaten this region any further.

• A.distant
• B.remote
• C.outside
• D.away

27.  All telemarketers should return to work ______ the cause of the phone line malfunction is determined and repaired.

• A.once
• B.or
• C.while
• D.yet

28.  Please sign up as soon as possible for the ______ of the museum because there are a limited number of seats available.

• A.sight
• B.walk
• C.tour
• D.trip

29.  To make the health survey as comprehensive as possible, researchers interviewed a ______ range of people.

• A.responsive
• B.ultimate
• C.precise
• D.diverse

30.  There was only one section ______ last month's financial report that the board members were pleased with.

• A.in
• B.between
• C.on
• D.along

31.  Due to popular demand by the staff members, the scheduled talk by Mr. Smith will take place ______ Room 15 instead of Room 20 as was first planned.

• A.in
• B.on
• C.of
• D.as

32.  I extend my sincere ______ to the family and friends of John Miller, who has suddenly left us at the age of 54.

• A.appreciation
• B.description
• C.condolences
• D.charges

33.  Hotel employees are reminded to be ______ and courteous, especially to first-time guests.

• A.friend
• B.friends
• C.friendly
• D.friendship

34.  The government issued a warning to local companies that all waste must be disposed of ______ or they will face heavy fines.

• A.corrects
• B.correcting
• C.correction
• D.correctly

35.  Golf Weekly is a newly published magazine that caters ______ to experienced and inexperienced golfers who are just learning to play the game.

• A.both
• B.neither
• C.either
• D.so

36.  We are seeking an ______ to represent us in talks with our Japanese clients.

• A.interpret
• B.interpreter
• C.interpreting
• D.interpretation

37.  Following a widespread dispute over wages, both parties involved ______ came to an agreement to end the three-month walkout, as the company offered higher wages and job guarantees.

• A.equally
• B.finally
• C.annually
• D.increasingly

38.  A new booklet explaining the process of course selection along with counseling services is ______ to any student interested in receiving help.

• A.potential
• B.available
• C.expressed
• D.approaching

39.  The vast number of new business the city is attracting is good news for the local economy; however, the ______ of vacant office space is something the major has to figure out soon.

• A.level
• B.training
• C.shortage
• D.exaggeration

40.  We believe that ______ recent changes in state laws, the majority vote standard is now in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

• A.due to
• B.whereas
• C.otherwise
• D.instead of

41.  ______ in universities around the nation has more than tripled compared to this time last year.

• A.Enroll
• B.Enrolls
• C.Enrolling
• D.Enrollment

42.  ______ Mr. Pennington retires, he will receive an annual pension of more than fifty thousand dollars from Packard Incorporated.

• A.Often
• B.Once
• C.Whoever
• D.Sometimes

43.  ______ Mr. Bingham's promotion became official, many of his colleagues have approached him to congratulate him.

• A.Despite
• B.Still
• C.Since
• D.During

44.  John Clarke, who is in the prime of his career, has been ranked ______ the top 10 players in tennis history by Sports Daily.

• A.at
• B.into
• C.among
• D.from

45.  Due to the heavy damage the storm has caused in some rural areas, it is predicted that the cost of fruits and vegetables will be ______ this summer.

• A.increase
• B.increases
• C.to increase
• D.increasing

46.  All of our stores will be extending their business hours during the holiday season, but we will go back to our ______ hours after the new year.

• A.regular
• B.regulars
• C.regularity
• D.regularities

47.  Sarah Ewing received rave ______ for her outstanding performance in her portrayal of a single mother raising two children in the ghetto in the 70s in the new blockbuster movie Single Mom.

• A.inspections
• B.articles
• C.reviews
• D.surveys

48.  Bad Boys Electronics Store found ______ under increased media attention after its manager was indicated for embezzling an undisclosed amount of money.

• A.ours
• B.theirs
• C.himself
• D.itself

49.  Some of our clients have complained that the time it takes to get a ______ from a service representative is enough to make them not want to use our services again.

• A.response
• B.responding
• C.responded
• D.respond

50.  After a long and gruesome season, Jeff Wills has been performing ______ better since the playoffs started a week ago.

• A.significance
• B.significant
• C.significancy
• D.significantly