Based on the graph and title below, choose the most appropriate answer to fill in each blank (13-24).

The State Travel Department of the United States of America reports the number of new passport books and passport cards that are issued each year. In 2000, the number of passport books issued was (13) 7 million. This number (14) for several years, but began climbing in2004. Surprisingly, the number of passport book applications dramatically (15) in 2007 and reached a record (16). Taking into consideration the current economy and financial climate, passport book applications are expected to remain steady for the next several years.

Although passport books are the majority of documents that are issued by the government, the number of passport cards is projected to (17) in the future as the public becomes more familiar with their existence, the necessary application procedure becomes more streamlined, and the availability of the cards increases (18), despite the fact that passport cards are easy to obtain, most of the American population prefers passport books (19) their acceptance by all countries, rather than just neighboring countries (20) a passport book, a passport card is a simple and inexpensive option. For a first-time applicant, a passport card costs $\$$55, which is significantly less than a passport book which costs $\$$195.

(21)cost, passport books and passport cards have another significant difference. If your travel plans include entering Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda by ship, (22) by air, then a passport card is highly recommended. In case of air travel, even to neighboring countries, a passport book is still (23). These laws may change in the future as the technology used in identification documents becomes more sophisticated. Unfortunately, (24) that time, U. S. citizens must continue to apply for a traditional passport book.

• 13.
  • a. approximately
  • b. as for
  • c. as of
  • d. highly
• 14.
  • a. kept value
  • b. kept parallel
  • c. remained uneasy
  • d. remained stable
• 15.
  • a. declined
  • b. halted
  • c. increased
  • d. stabilized
• 16.
  • a. 0.183 million
  • b. 183 million
  • c. 18.3 million
  • d. 0.183 billion
• 17.
  • a. decrease
  • b. rise
  • c. stabilize
  • d. withdraw
• 18.
  • a. Consequently
  • b. However
  • c. Moreover
  • d. Subsequently
• 19.
  • a. about to
  • b. due to
  • c. regardless of
  • d. up to
• 20.
  • a. According to
  • b. Based on
  • c. Compared to
  • d. Focused on
• 21.
  • a. Because of
  • b. Besides
  • c. Such as
  • d. Unlike
• 22.
  • a. but for
  • b. except for
  • c. for example
  • d. instead of
• 23.
  • a. applied
  • b. issued
  • c. rejected
  • d. required
• 24.
  • a. at
  • b. by
  • c. on
  • d. until