Reductions in overseas government expenditure took place, but （）and more gradually than now seems desirable.

单项选择题What is it that the author wants to （）to his leaders through the story.

A．convey
B．convince
C．convert
D．conform

单项选择题These melodious folk songs are generally （）to Smith, a very important musician of the century.

A．devoted
B．contributed
C．composed
D．ascribed