The word "it" refers to ____________

The company was so successful during the 1990s that it ____________ 500 new employees in a period of six months.

I can't see us beating them at tennis this year. We are so out of ___________

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined bold word(s) in each of the following questions.  

Every woman who has enough criteria can join the beauty contest irrespective of their background.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 25 to 29  

HOW TO WRITE A BLOCKBUSTER

     If you have ever finished reading the latest blockbuster and thought that you could have done better, consider (25) ____________ the following techniques.  

     Before you settle upon your subject matter, be canny and examine the current market. If period dramas are making a comeback, for example, consider that genre but with a unique twist. Start by looking around you - in newspapers, on TV - for stories and characters. Choose a genre and topic you feel comfortable with. (26) ____________ research will add to the strength and depth of your writing and help you (27) ____________ more confidence. Read relevant history books, biographies and travelogues to immerse yourself in your chosen period and setting.  

     Once you have formulated your characters, possible storylines and locations, start to sketch out rough dialogues and scenes. Only then should you set about writing the novel. 

     Once the novel is completed, you must find an agent. Many (28) ____________publishers will only consider submissions via an established agent and will largely ignore unsolicited books. Again, research is the key.  

     Look for an agent that (29) ____________ your genre and style. Finally, do not forget that the book has to be marketed once it is published, so you, the author, will become one of the novel's Unique Selling Points. It helps if you and the book have a good behind you too.

Happy people often find it easily to get to sleep and they sleep soundly.

It was not until his father threatened to punish him did he told him the truth.