Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. 

Example:

 Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional republics overnight; on the contrary, the change was ----. 

(A) unpopular (B) unexpected (C) advantageous (D) sufficient (E) gradual 

The beauty of Mount McKinley has usually cloaked: clouds ---- the summit nine days out of ten. 

(A) release (D) shroud 

(B) elevate (E) attain 

(C) entangle