In recent years, the ______ dry heat had led to a series of natural disasters.

The schoolmaster hesitated ___ an instnat before he made the decision.

________ they heard the shout for help，they rushed out.

—— Is the bus stop far from here? —— It’s a quarter’s walk, ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿. 

_____,I managed to get the game and the pain was worth it in the end.