The present financial crisis has greatly contributed to thousands of workers and many factories .
| A．laying off, closed down | B．laid off, closed down |
| C．laid off, closing down | D．being laid off, closing down |
I lost my way in complete darkness and ,______ matters worse , it began to rain .
| A．made | B．having made | C．making | D．to make |
The direction _______ which the president would go was kept secret ________ safety concern .
| A．for ; over | B．from ; about | C．in ; for | D．at ; as |
You needn’t take your shoes off when you enter someone’s house in Australia , _____ , of course , they’re very dirty .
| A．if | B．except | C．when | D．unless |
--- Could I ask you a rather personal question ?
--- ________.
| A．Yes, don’t worry | B．Of course , go ahead |
| C．Yes, help yourself | D．Of course , why not ? |
At present the hotel is almost empty , but I’m sure things will start to _____ in the spring .
| A．rise up | B．hold on | C．pick up | D．hang out |