I.      Choose the word (a, b, c or d) that best fits each of the blank spaces. From a European perspective, the first explores were engaged in the settlement and discovery of the 'new world'. However, the history of the United States is but a recent episode (16) _____ comparison with the history of the North America continent and its (17) _____. Between 54 million and 2 million years ago, the continent evolved into the form we know today. At least 15,000 to 20,000 years ago, nomadic hunters began to migrate from Asia across the Bering Strait. By the fifteenth century, when the European nations were 'discovering' America, the country (18) _____ by minimum of 2 million natives. Most of the tribes had developed some kind of agriculture or (19) _____ while remaining as hunters and retaining nomadic characteristics. They roamed the high western plains, hunted mountain valleys, and farmed along the river from coast to coast. There was considerable diversity and there (20) _____ several hundred different languages among the wide-ranging tribes. Several tribes, such as Iroquois, were very (21) _____ in achieving political unit and extending their influence. The native (22) _____ were very well adapted to their environment and without the aid of natives, the first European settlers might not have survived. Many native vegetables, (23) _____ maize and potatoes became important staples. Moreover, native trackers, guided expeditions and taught hunters and explorers the ways of the land. For years, U.S. history began with Columbus, but today the cultures and contributions of the early inhabitants of the Americans (24) _____ studied and acknowledged. The story of the North America begins the true origin of the continent and (25) _____ people 16. a. in                               b. on                                 c. when                            d. Æ 17. a. civil                           b. people                          c. civilian                         d. inhabitant 18. a. was inhabited            b. inhabited                      c. has been inhabited       d. had inhabited 19. a. fish                            b. fishes                           c. fishing                          d. fisher 20. a. was                            b. were                             c. had been                       d. has been 21. a. success                      b. succeed                        c. successful                     d. successfully 22. a. people                       b. peoples                         c. nations                         d. settlers 23. a. so like                        b. example                       c. such as                         d. so as 24. a. had                            b. has                               c. is                                  d. are 25. a. it’s                             b. hers                              c. this                               d. its