`1.` The company's sales have been declining. ___________ , they have had to lay off 20% of their workforce.
A. Furthermore       B. However        C. As a result        D. Although
`2.` "Could you please fetch my mail while I'm on vacation?"
A. He begged me to fetch his mail while he was on vacation.
B. He requested me to fetch his mail while he was on vacation.
C. He urged me to fetch his mail while he was on vacation.
D. He wanted to know if I would fetch his mail while he was on vacation.