21. The place was flooded ________ it had been raining for several weeks.
     A. because                    B. because of          C. ever since               D. as a result of
22. The general said to the men, “Don’t stop practicing.
   The general _______ the man ________.
 A. ordered; not to stop           B. ordered; don’t stop
 C. said to; not to stop            D. requested; to not stop