1．If the firms failed to make enough money，they would close__________．
2．China is one of the largest countries in the world，________(cover) an area of 9.6 million square kilometres.
3．They were__________to hear the__________story.(frighten)
4．It's too late.Andy is unlikely__________(come)．
5．Ellen was a painter of birds and nature，__________，for some reason，stopped painting.
6．There were__________(thousand) of doves here yesterday.
7．They promise that they will finish the project in a month，but I remain sceptical__________their claim.
8．(2013年高考·重庆卷改编)John invited about 40 people to his wedding，most of__________are family members.
9．Last year I had a narrow escape from a car accident，and I don't want to risk my life__________second time.
