In many countries more and more forests and even agricultural land are being lost to development, _______ much of the land to become desert. 

_______ the ointment to the wound, the nurse carefully wrapped it up with a bandage.

We had no one ________ us, for we could deal with the case all by ourselves.

We can’t possibly go. _________ with it’s too far and we can’t afford it either. 

The engine just won’t start. Something seems ______ wrong with it.