题目内容：

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

1. The children talked so loudly at dinner table that I had to struggle in order ____________ （hear）by them.

2. ____________ (carry) a cake with ten lighted candles on it, the mother came in and said “Happy Birthday” to the little girl.

3.The growing speed of a plant is influenced by a number of factors, most of ___________ are beyond our control.

【小题4-5】He didn’t understand the __________ question, so there was a __________ expression on his face. (puzzle)

4.The professor __________ (refer) to pollution at the meeting will give us a lecture next week.

5.After the lecture, a few students remained ___________ (seat) in the hall.

6.New Zealand is a country __________ （consist）of two big islands and many smaller ones.

7.Most of the people __________ (invite) to the party were famous scientists.

8.Companies seem cautious ___________ investing more money in research and development.