Although it was his first experience as chairman, he ______ over the meeting with great skill.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】 动词词义辨析。preside“主持，负责”；administered“管理，执行”；mastered“控制”；executed“执行，贯彻”。preside over the meeting表示“主持会议”。故答案为A。