The factory has _____ workers due to the drop in sales, which will lead to an increase in unemployment. 

(2013·烟台高三联合测试)As the train ran faster and faster，the lights of the city were soon ________.

The weekend snowstorm hit the city hard. ______, many primary schools decided to cancel Monday classes.

Peter’s handwriting is really too bad to read; I can hardly ________ what exactly he’s trying to say.

The old man was the only person on the spot____ helped him ____ a series of facts as told