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At least 33 officials and teachers employed by the prefectural government ( ) their jobs in July, more than three times the number that did so ( ) the same period last year.

It is believed that they retired because retirement allowances ( ) prefectural government officials ( ) by 5 percent from August as part of a reform plan. The number of officials ( ) down is expected to increase as more apply for retirement. According to the prefectural government, the number of officials departing had been about the same ( ) last year through June. However, the figure jumped in mid-July when the governor gained ( ) at the prefectural assembly ( ) a plan to cut personnel costs.

1. a. has left b. were left c. left d. have been left
2. a. for b. during c. to d. whilst
3. a. toward b. against c. forward d. for
4. a. will be cut b. are cut c. has been cut d. are to cut
5. a. who is going to step down b. who step down c. stepping d. stepped
6. a. as b. in c. for d. to
7. a. a support enough b. an enough support c. enough support d. support
enough 8. a. to pass b. for passing c. to passing d. passing