The keeper of the spring cleared away the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt(淤泥) that would _______ have choked and polluted the fresh flow of water.
Death toll from Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines _______ 3,637, after the strongest storm this year destroyed the central part of the country on Nov. 8, 2013.
Corruption is _______ problem in countries across the world, with developing countries often believed to be more serious, although there is no evidence to suggest this is _______case.