P6 Cloze 83 (Rio Grande)

The Rio Grande is one of the most important rivers in America although it is not the longest. However, (51) ________ other significant rivers, it is not used for shipping.

In fact, oceangoing ships cannot (52) ________ the waters.

Now, what makes the Rio Grande so (53) ________ is its location. Since 1846, it has been the official border of Texas and Mexico.

The Rio Grande is (54) ________ the fourth or fifth longest river system in North America.

It all (55) ________ on how it is measured. This river twists so much that it occasionally changes course.

These course shifts can cause it to be longer or (56) ________. At its last official measure, the Rio Grande clocked in at 1,896 miles.

The river starts in Colorado and (57) ________ downward to the Culf of Mexico.

Downward is the best way of describing it too. Not only does the river extend south, (58) ________ it also starts in the mountains.

It gets lower and lower (59) ________ altitude as it extends to the Gulf.

The Rio Grande today is mostly used as a (60) ________ of drinking water.