He trained hard in puzzle-guessing, a sort of children’s game, all year, _____ still failed to reach his best form in all the tests given to both adults and children.
(届安徽省合肥市高三第二次模拟考试)
— Did you go to the lecture by the visiting professor?
— No. I ______ it, but I've been busy taking care of my grandma in hospital these days.