1. By the time the rescue team arrives, the climbers ______ the freezing temperatures for over forty-eight hours.

2. I ______ to meet the CEO in person yesterday, but my flight was delayed and I missed the appointment.

3. No sooner ______ than the fire alarm went off, forcing everyone to evacuate.

4. It’s high time the government ______ more drastic measures to combat climate change.

5. The committee recommended that the proposal ______ before any further investment is made.

6. Suppose you ______ in my shoes at that moment, how would you have handled that hostile client?

7. Not until the fingerprints were analyzed ______ he had made a grave error in the investigation.

8. It is essential that every employee ______ of the new security protocols immediately.

9. I’d rather you ______ the incident to the board members when you meet them tomorrow.

10. ______ the marathon in record time, the athlete collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

11. There is no point ______ to persuade him; he is notoriously stubborn once his mind is set.

12. I remember ______ that story before, but I can’t quite recall where or when.

13. The witness denied ______ the suspect near the crime scene on the night in question.

14. They were extremely fortunate ______ in the explosion that leveled the entire block.

15. You ______ such an expensive car; we can barely afford the rent this month!

16. If the negotiations ______ last week, we would be facing a major crisis right now.

17. She ______ her umbrella at the office; I saw her carrying it when she arrived this morning.

18. But for his bravery, the secret ______ by the journalists.

19. I ______ you with the report yesterday, but I was completely swamped with my own projects.

20. The ancient manuscripts are believed ______ by a group of monks in the 12th century.

21. He eventually got his laptop ______ after complaining to the manager several times.

22. There are rumored ______ significant changes in the upcoming tax legislation.

23. The children were seen ______ near the abandoned warehouse despite the warnings.

24. It is reported that the CEO ______ due to personal reasons, though no official statement has been made.

25. Scarcely ______ the speech when the audience erupted into a thunderous applause.