Decide which of the choices given below would correctly complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks.    Select the correct choice for each blank.

　　American cities are (26)_____ other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. Cities contain the very (27)_____ aspect of a society: opportunities for education, employment, and entertainment. They also contain the very worst parts of a society: violent crime, racial conflict (种族冲突), and poverty. American cities are changing, just (28)_____ American society. After World War II, the population of (29)_____ large American cities decreased; (30)_____, the population in many sun Belt cities increased. Los Angeles and Houston are cities (31)_____ population increased. There population shifts to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. During this time, in the (32)_____ 1940s and early 1950s, city residents became wealthier, more prosperous. They had more children. They needed more space. They moved out their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the (33)_____, areas near a city where people live. These are areas without many offices or factories. During the 1950s the American "dream" was to have a house on the outskirts. Now things are changing. The children of the people who (34)_____ the cities in the 1950s are now adults. They, (35)_____ their parents, want to live in the cities. (36)_____ continue to move to cities in the Sun Belt. Cities are (37)_____ and the population is increasing in (38)_____ states as Texas, Florida, and California. Others are moving to more established cities of the Northeast and Midwest, such as Boston, Baltimore and Chicago. Many young professionals, doctors, lawyers, and executives are moving back into the city. They prefer the city (39)_____ the suburbs because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the fuel shortage; or they just enjoy the excitement and opportunities which the city offers. A new class is moving into the cities —— a wealthier, (40)_____ mobile class.

　　26.   A) different from   B) similar to   C) better than   D) worse than

　　27.   A) well   B) good   C) better   D) best

　　28.   A) likely   B) as   C) while   D) when

　　29.   A) all   B) most   C) few   D) much

　　30.   A) but   B) and   C) however   D) although

　　31.   A) its   B) which   C) where   D) that

　　32.   A) late   B) later   C) lately   D) latter

　　33.   A) outskirts   B) downtown   C) districts   D) suburbs

　　34.   A) departed   B) left   C) reached   D) entered

　　35.   A) as   B) like   C) dislike   D) unlike

　　36.   A) Some   B) All   C) Several   D) Lots of

　　37.   A) stretching   B) widening   C) expanding   D) prolonging

　　38.   A) such   B) these   C) those   D) many

　　39.   A) than   B) better than   C) rather than   D) to

　　40.   A) very   B) and   C) more   D) or