The earthquake had more or less reduced our house to a pile of worthless rubble. Nevertheless, we picked carefully through the ________, trying to _____ items of value. Unfortunately, very little could be saved.

Minor squabbles may cause temporary _____ in our friendship, but such _____, however heated and noisy, have never resulted in a permanent breach.

"If you always act cautiously, you should be able to _____ many of life's obstacles," Dad told me. "Still, some difficulties cannot be overcome, even by the most _____ behavior.

Though I am prepared to wink at an occasional petty offense against my moral code, I absolutely refuse to _____ behavior that is consistently wicked or _____.

Although the auditorium was packed with the candidate's supporters, who greeted his remarks with thunderous cheers and applause, there were a few _____ in the crowd who seemed inclined only to boo and _____.

Though he began life little better than a(n) _____, with only his hands in his pockets, his highly _____ business deals turned him into a multimillionaire before the age of forty.

He was thrown out of the club for constantly _____ small items from the supply room. According to club rules, that type of petty theft constitutes valid grounds for _____.