The company can't afford to buy the latest equipment at present．____,they keep trying new ways to improve efficiency．
| A．On the contrary | B．In contrast | C．Nevertheless | D．Furthermore |
We'd better set off or it will be dark __________ we know it.
| A．before | B．after |
| C．when | D．until |
They often use wood as fuel to __________ coal.
| A．take place | B．take the place of |
| C．in place of | D．instead of |
The policeman __________ to be reading a newspaper. In reality, he was watching the man near the window.
| A．pretended | B．hesitated |
| C．swore | D．determined |
Athens __________ the birthplace of western civilization.
| A．are known as | B．is known as |
| C．are known for | D．is known for |
I didn't tell him __________ news at once because I wanted to give him __________ surprise.
| A．the; a | B．the; / |
| C．a; a | D．/; the |