On Wednesday evening, we went to the Town Hall. It was the last day of the year and a large _________ of people had gathered under the Town Hall clock. It would _______ twelve in twenty minutes' time. Fifteen minutes passed and then, at five to twelve, the clock stopped. The big minute hand did not move. We ______ and waited, but nothing happened. Suddenly someone shouted. 'It's two minutes past twelve! The clock has stopped!' I looked at my watch. It was true. The big clock________ to welcome the New Year. At that moment, everybody began to ______ and sing.