Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. The weather was ________ the exceptionally poor harvest.

2. I ________ for that job before I passed my final exams at the university.

3. The police carried out a ________ search for the missing diplomat.

4. You must have ________ the examination before Friday, so bring your money to the office as soon as possible.

5. I think he is ________ his time looking for a job there; they are not taking any staff on at present.

6. The police set a ________ to catch the thieves.

7. After going to several interviews, she eventually ________ to get a job.

8. During the lecture, the student took down ________ quantities of notes.

9. Since the accident he has walked with a ________.

10. He ran so fast I couldn't catch up ________ him

16. The plate was right on the ________ of the table and could have been knocked off at any moment.

17. Jenny and her sister are so ________, they could almost be twins.

18. Going to the pub too often can easily become a bad ________.

19. He shouldn't be allowed to play in the club. He's not a ________.

20. All the travel arrangements ________ before we received a letter from him.