Q1) After the hurricane, a group of volunteers agreed to (XXX) the difficult task of removing debris from the area's beaches.
withhold
overlook
undertake
upstage

Q2) Recent cost cuts helped the company (XXX) cash reserves in the first two quarters of financial year.
formulate
escalate
accumulate
simulate

Q3) John suffered from (XXX) back pain for years until he was finally convinced to get on operation.
durable
chronic
decrepit
elusive

Q4) I was on the (XXX) of losing my temper with my colleague, so I decided to go outside for a walk until I calmed down.
blink
gap
verge
clash

Q5) These days, it's (XXX) impossible for consumers to tell the difference between genuine brand-name goods and imported fakes as they look so similar.
nominally
incidentally
virtually
alternately

Q6) The principal sent out a letter to parents (XXX) the new school rule concerning uniforms, so as to avoid any misunderstandings.
clarifying
conforming
comprehending
cleansing

Q7) Billy's mother was just about to ask him about his score on the math test when her attention was (XXX) by the sound of the front doorbell.
fastened
defected
diverted
cautioned

Q8) With sales down again, the situation at ABC Industries is looking increasingly (XXX). A number of employees are expected to lose their jobs.
provoked
stable
keen
bleak

Q9) Cutting down trees and removing vegetation often leads to soil (XXX) because it allows the soil to be washed away during heavy rain.
corrosion
infusion
erosion
implosion