Problem: How does the sentence end?

Felicia borrowed a blowtorch from Mary to fix their railing, because 
OPTIONS:
- Felicia was prepared for these repairs.
- Mary was prepared for these repairs.
Answer: Mary was prepared for these repairs.
sentence: As the immigrant left the country, she could only bring her backpack and not her bag because the  OPTIONS:
- backpack was essential.
- bag was essential.
complete: backpack was essential.
Nick thinks that a guinea pig is a good pet but Hunter doesn't. 
OPTIONS:
- Nick went to the pet store and bought a potbelly pig.
- Hunter went to the pet store and bought a potbelly pig.
Hunter went to the pet store and bought a potbelly pig.
Input: Continue writing.

Randy listened to Kevin explain how to use the software because 
OPTIONS:
- Randy was an expert.
- Kevin was an expert.

Continued: Kevin was an expert.
Story needs to be completed:
The work company replaced the old carpet with new hardwood floors in the lobby. The 
OPTIONS:
- carpet was old.
- hardwood was old.

My choice:
carpet was old.
Problem: How does the sentence end?

The couple of people were trying to send messages instead of writing out letters, since the 
OPTIONS:
- letters were shorter.
- messages were shorter.
Answer:
messages were shorter.