prices have (24) the economic and political map of the world, (25) some old notions of power. Oil-rich nations are enjoying historic gains and opportunities, (26) major importers—including chinaand India, home to a third of the world's population-- (27) rising economic and social costs.Managing this new order is fast becoming a central (28) of global politics. Countries that need oil are clawing at each other to (29) scarce supplies, and are willing to deal with any government, (30) how unpleasant, to do it .

In many poor nations with oil , the profits are being ,lost to corruption,(31) these countries of their best hope for development. And oil is fueling enormous investment funds run by foreign governments, (32) some in the west see as a new threat.

Countries like Russia, Venezuela and Iran are well supplied with rising oil 33, a change reflected in newly aggressive foreign policies. But some unexpected countries are reaping benefits, (34) costs, from higher prices. Consider Germany. (35) it imports virtually all its oil, it has prospered from extensive trade with a booming Russia and the Middle East. German exports to Russia (36) 128 percent from 2001 to 2006.

In the United States, as already high gas prices rose (37) higher in the spring of 2008,the issue cropped up in the presidential campaign, with Senators McCain and Obama (38) for a federal gas tax holiday during the peak summer driving months. And driving habits began to (39) ,as sales of small cars jumped and mass transport systems (40) the country reported a sharp increase in riders.

21. A. come B. gone C. crossed D. arrived

22. A. covered B. discovered C. arranged D. ranged

23. A. intensity B. infinity C. insecurity ility

24. A. drawn B. redrawn C. retained D. reviewed

25. A. fighting B. struggling C. challenging D. threatenin

26. A. and B. while C. thus D. though

27. A. confine B. conflict C. conform D. confront

28. A. problem B. question C. matter D. event

29. A. look for B. lock up C. send out D. keep off

30. A. no matter B. what if C. only if D. in spite of

31. A. abolishing B. depriving C. destroying D. eliminating

32. A. what B. that C. which D. whom

33. A. interests B. taxes C. incomes D. revenues

34. A. as many as B. as good as C. as far as D. as well as

35. A. Although B. Because C. Since D. As

36. A. advanced B. grew C. reduces D. multiplie

37. A. even B. still C. rather D. fairly

38. A. asking B. requesting C. calling D. demanding

39. A. change B. turn C. shift D. transform

40. A. for B. from C. across D. Over