The 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature _____ to Mo Yan, Chinese writer ,whose novel Red Sorghum was successfully filmed in 1987.

During the Olympic torch relay, thousands of people __________ in either side of the street.

Sheldon could have defeated Howard in the match, but he _______ too careless at the last minute. 

 I had planned to invite Tom to the party to increase the atmosphere, but it turned out that his arrival ____ the atmosphere.

—Was he still there when you were away to answer the phone?—There is no doubt about it, but he ________ soon afterwards.