The purpose of new technologies is to make life easier, ________ it more difficult.

[　　]

The speech by the mayor of Shanghai before the final voting for EXPO 2010 is strongly impressed ________ my memory.

[　　]

When a pencil is partly in a glass of water, it looks as if it ________.

[　　]

Is this the reason ________ at the meeting for his carelessness in his work?

[　　]

________ in the queue for half an hour, Tom suddenly realized that he had left his wallet at home.

[　　]

The managers discussed the plan they would like to see ________ the next year.

[　　]

Friendship is like money: easier made than ________.

[　　]

When ________, the museum will be open to the public next year.

[　　]

①Have you ever found two nouns ________ together in this way?

[　　]

②It was not unusual to find turtles ________ near the edge of the reef.

[　　]

①I'd rather ________ the game than ________ the other players.

[　　]

②Rather than ________ on a crowded bus, he always prefers a bicycle.

[　　]