The union insisted on an increase in their members starting pay, and threatened to call a strike if the company refused to meet the demand.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions (20-24) 

     The latest addiction to trap thousands of people is the Internet, which has been (20) ______ for broken relationships, job losses, financial ruin and even one suicide. Psychologists now recognize Internet Addiction Syndrome (IAS) as a new illness that could (21) ______ serious problems and ruin many lives. Special help groups have been set up to offer sufferers help and support. IAS is similar to (22) ______ problems like gambling, smoking and drinking: addicts have dreams about the Internet, they need to use it first thing in the morning; they lie to their partner about how much time they spend online; they wish they could cut down, but are unable to do so. A recent study found that many users spend up to 40 hours a week on the Internet; although they felt guilty, they became depressed if they were (23) ______ to stop using it. 

     Almost anyone can be at risk. Some of the addicts are teenagers who are already hooked on computer games and who (24), ______ it very difficult to resist the games on the Internet. Surprisingly, however, psychologists say that most victims are middle-aged housewives who have never used a computer before.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions (46-47) 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions (1-15) 

Tea loses its flavor quickly ______ in the hold of a vessel.