Projections issued in 2000 showed the world population increasing from 6.1 billion in 2000 to 7.9 billion in 2025 and 9.3 billion in 2050. "High" and "low" projections for 2025 are 8.4 billion and 7.5 billion (1)................ . The average world birth rate is projected to decline from the 1990 level of 26 per 1,000 to 22 per 1,000 at the end of the century and to 17.6 per 1,000 in 2025 (corresponding to a fall in TFR from 3.3 in 1990 to 2.4 in 2025). (2) ................ the expanding share of the population at high-mortality ages, the average world death rate is expected to decline only slightly; from 9 (per 1,000) in 1990 to 8.4 in 2025. Average world (3) ................ expectancy, however, is projected to rise from 65 years in 1990 to 71.3 years in 2025. Wide variations in population (4) ................ will undoubtedly persist. In the developed world, population growth will continue to be very low and in some nations will even decline. Western Europe as a whole is projected to have a declining population after 2000. U.S. Census Bureau projections, assuming middle fertility and mortality levels, show U.S. population increasing from 250 million in 1990 to 349 million in 2025 and 420 million in 2050. (5) ................ growth would be virtually zero. 1/ A. hopefully B. shortly C. respectively D. totally 2/ A. In spite of B. Because of C. For example D. So as that 3/ A. life B. living C. live D. alive 4/ A. height B. development C. increase D. growth 5/ A. Besides B. Nevertheless C. However D. Thereafter