_, I must say my spoken Englishis not very good, so I hope you can speak slowly. In the second place, I’m notfamiliar with the topic.

下列各句中，没有语病的一句是（2分）

Kate is not able ________the party because she is ill.

There is a real possibility that these animals could be frightened, ________ a sudden loud noise.

Which of the following words comes first in the dictionary