The discussion was so prolonged and exhausting that ______ we had to stop for refreshments.
 
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】 固定搭配词组辨析。at large“逃脱”;at ease“安逸,舒适”;at random“随便地,任意地”;at intervals“不时地,间断地”。句意:讨论冗长又耗费精力,我们不得不时地停下来休息。只有选项at intervals符合句意。故答案为D。