How long is it ______ you picked up your badmintontraining—It was not until my finance became better lastDecember _____ I started the training.

_______ I take part in a group discussion or try to speak English to someone, I find it difficult to express myself

The film is, I have to say, not a bit interesting— Why? It’s _______ than the films I have ever seen [ ]

Prices are going up, life isn’t so easy here as it _____ be.[ ]

Parents always _________ great importance to education. They will do their best to give their children that priceless gift.