1.   A sudden scream pierced the silence.

2.   A scream pierced the silence.

3.   A long, high-pitched moan pierced the silence of his hospital room.

4.   But he does intend, he said, to be as outrageous as necessary to pierce the silence.

5.   Only an occasional radio commercial pierces the silence in the media markets around Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Wilkes-Barre.

6.   Suddenly, Martinez stood up, pointed at the monitor and pierced the silence in the room.

7.   The silence was pierced only by the tolling of a Buddhist bell and the hum of chirping cicadas.

8.   Early in the afternoon a shout pierced the silence.