Over the past decades, sea ice ________ in the Arctic as a result of global warming．

had decreased

decreased

has been decreasing

is decreasing

________, the pay isn’t attractive enough, though the job itself is quite interesting．

Generally speaking

On the contrary

In particular

To be honest

The doctor recommended that you ________ swim after eating a large meal．

wouldn’t

couldn’t

needn’t

shouldn’t

The good thing about children is that they ________ very easily to new environments．

adapt

appeal

attach

apply

It took ________ building supplies to construct these energy-saving houses．It took brains, too．

other than

more than

rather than

less than

The medicine works more effectively ________ you drink some hot water after taking it．

as

until

although

if

________ and short of breath, Andy and Ruby were the first to reach the top of Mount Tai．

To be tired

Tired

Tiring

Being tired

Tom worked hard all the time, but ________ didn’t please his boss．

one

it

that

which

Just at the corner of the street ________, more than half of which date back to at least 100 years ago．

stand some old shops

do some old shops stand

some old shops stand

some old shops do stand

________ they lack official support, they continue their struggle．

Until

If

Though

Before