284. He will pass two milestones _____, that is, he will receive his master’s degree and find a challenging job.

　　 A. long ago　　　　　　　　　 B. for long　　　　　　　　　 C. before long　　　　　　　 D. long before

283. The president’s speech was _____ boring; it is, in fact, rather inspiring and interesting.

　　 A. anything but　　　　　　 B. nothing but　　　　　　　 C. no more　　　　　　　　　 D. all but

282. Among the films being nominated(提名) _____ directed by Zhang Yimou.

　　 A. is a popular film　　　　　　　 B. is as popular　　　　　　 C. a popular film　　　　　 D. one is popular

281. Jason has been preparing carefully for his English examination so that he could be sure of passing it at his first _____.

　　 A. purpose　　　　　　　　　　 B. desire　　　　　　　　　　　 C. attempt　　　　　　　　　　 D. intention

280. _____ a fire, hotel guests are asked to remain calm.

　　 A. As a result of　　　　　　 B. In the event of　　　　　 C. By reason of　　　　　　 D. In the time of

279. The study　　　 you have been making _____ the ancient Chinese characters is an instructive job.

　　 A. to　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. for　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. of　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. from

278. There’s no _____ from my bedroom window except for some factory chimneys.

　　 A. view　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. scene　　　　　　　　　　　 C. sight　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. look

277. They were hunting for a person _____ him _____ a stepping stone.

　　 A. like; as　　　　　　　　　　 B. like; like　　　　　　　　　 C. as; like　　　　　　　　　　 D. as; as

276. --- Do you like coffee or milk?

　　 --- Both. But I prefer coffee _____ milk.

　　 A. to　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. for　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. with　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. from

275. After swimming in the sea, they came out of water and lay on the _____ for a rest.

　　 A. bank　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. coast　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. seaside　　　　　　　　　　 D. beach