I could hardly tell the twins apart because their appearances are only ____ different.
It is usually cool in April in Chongqing, but it sometimes ______ be rather hot for a few days.
Two decades ago this city was ______ but a small unknown town.
—Why didn’t you go to Shelly’s birthday party yesterday evening?—I ______ but I had an unexpected visitor.
He didn’t attend the competition ______ he was ill at the time.
After the earthquake, the poor girl was found ______ under the ruins of a church.