Choose the word or set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

1. Federal data show that the number of citizens receiving welfare __________ again last year even though an economic slowdown pushed more people into __________.

2. The joint government web site was specially created to educate small firms __________ their wage and __________ reporting responsibilities.

3. Verton executives challenged the web site tactic, ___________ that if customers switched, the ___________ would lose revenues and the very jobs the union was trying to protect.

4. Virginia has not taken any comprehensive ___________ on transportation funding since ___________ the sales tax a half-cent in 1986.

5. Many athletes and celebrities demand payment for their signatures, and people are ___________ up to pay the price.

6. After Borden received ___________ in 1856 for producing concentrated milk in a vacuum, condensed milk became an important part of the dairy ___________.

7. Some agencies offer financing ___________ for developers to encourage the building of ___________ housing.

8. Some residents claim that the timing of the strike was inappropriate, considering the ___________ economy.

9. When George Wilson graduated from high school, his parents, both of ___________ were hearing impaired and on disability, could provide ___________ financial help toward college.

10. Despite the hours many children spend watching television, the report found that reading ___________ to be a regular part of many children's lives.