232. The branches could hardly _____ the weight of the fruit.

　A. retain B. maintain C. sustain D. remain

231. The government has lost a great deal of _____ because of the large increase in food pries.

　A. strength B. support C. agreement D. vote

230. This watch is _____ to all the other watches on the market.

　A. superior B. advantageous C. super D. beneficial

229. Arrogance and pride are similar in meaning, but there is _____ difference between them.

　A. a submerged B. an indecisive C. an indistinct D. a subtle

228. We made plans for a visit but _____ difficulties with the car prevented it.

　A. consequent B. subordinate C. substantial D. subsequent

227. He didn't _____ what I read because his mind was on something else.

　A. hold on B. catch on C. take in D. get over

226. Scientists have to work hard to keep _____ with modern discoveries and developments.

　A. company B. track C. touch D. pace

225. She _____ the temptation to buy a coat she could not afford.

　tradicted D.resisted

224. He put in a special _____ for an extra day's holiday so that he could attend his daughter's wedding.

　A. request B. demand C. inquiry D. proposal

223. It was decided to _____ the search when there was no hope of finding the missing girl alive.

　A. call off B. take up C. keep off D. ring up