An important means to that end is to (32) _________ the growth of a strong middle class.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions. 

Charles is very keen __________ collecting stamps in his leisure time.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 

What _______ at 8 o'clock last night? I phoned you but couldn't get through to you.

The word "any” in paragraph 3 refers to __________.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. 

     All North American canids have a doglike appearance characterized by a graceful body, long muzzle, erect ears, slender legs, and bushy tail. Most are social animals that travel and hunt in groups or pairs. After years of persecution by humans, the populations of most North American canids, especially wolves and foxes, have decreased greatly. The coyote, however, has thrived alongside humans, increasing in both numbers and range. 

     Its common name comes from coyotl, the term used by Mexico's Nahuatl Indians, and its scientific name, canis latrans, means "barking dog." The coyote's vocalizations are varied, but the most distinctive are given at dusk, dawn, or during the night and consists of a series of barks followed by a prolonged howl and ending with a short, sharp yap. This call keeps the band alert to the locations of its members. One voice usually prompts others to join in, resulting in the familiar chorus heard at night throughout the west. 

     The best runner among the canids, the coyote is able to leap fourteen feet and cruise normally at 25-30 miles per hour. It is a strong swimmer and does not hesitate to enter water after prey. In feeding, the coyote is an opportunist, eating rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, birds, snakes, insects, many kinds of fruit, and carrion - whatever is available. To catch larger prey, such as deer or antelope, the coyote may team up with one or two others, running in relays to tire prey or waiting in ambush while others chase prey toward it. Often a badger serves as involuntary supplier of smaller prey: while it digs for rodents at one end of their burrow, the coyote waits for any that may emerge from an escape hole at the other end. 

     Predators of the coyote once included the grizzly and black bears, the mountain lion, and the wolf, but their declining populations make them no longer a threat. Man is the major enemy, especially since coyote pelts have become increasingly valuable, yet the coyote population continues to grow, despite efforts at trapping and poisoning.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. 

- Jim: "Would you like to do something interesting tomorrow?"

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best completes each of the following exchanges.

While looking for the dictionary, the boy came across some of the childhood photos.

Melisa works hard _________ her brother is very lazy.