When plans for a new highway were announced at the town meeting, local residents protested angrily. It was difficult to hear the chairperson because of all the ___________.

During the election campaign, the press ___________ the mayor with accusations about his private life. It soon became clear he would never get reelected.

Experienced interviewers can tell when people are ___________ the truth, so job interviewees should be careful not to exaggerate their abilities.

Although parents must teach children the importance of honesty, schools should also do their part to ___________ students with this characteristic.

Tim's new office was so ___________ it depressed him. He decided to bring in some plants to brighten it up a bit.

The repairperson said the roof had been ___________ damaged by the hurricane and would need to be completely replaced.

A: Ms. Tanaka, do you have any suggestions for improving my vocabulary ___________?
B: I recommend you use flashcards. They can really help you remember new words.

Despite his ___________ health, Keith remained positive. He did his best not to let his illness stop him from enjoying his life.

Security guards caught a young man trying to ___________ a video camera into the venue so he could illegally film the concert.

General Anderson knew that, since the enemy army was ___________ in caves near the top of a mountain, it would be almost impossible to defeat.

DNA testing finally ___________ the man of all charges, and he was set free after having spent five years in prison.

People should be suspicious of _______ e-mails claiming to come from official sources. Many are sent by criminals trying to gain access to people's bank accounts.