The noise of the traffic（）Paul from his work.

He never（）to read the news but turned at once to the crossword puzzle on the last page.

I just managed to（）a quick breath before I was pulled under the water by the passing boats.

The student's first attempt at writing a play was a far（）from the work of Shakespeare.

The price they offered for my old car was so low that I（）it down.

I don't know who on（）stole the diamond last night.

Our department（）courses in several foreign languages.

The weakening housing market continued to take its（）on the industry.

Mr. Edward was not in, so his brother acted as （）at the party.

I tried very hard to persuade him to join our group but I met with a flat（）