1.   Brannon and Terrace believe the experiment is strong evidence that arithmetic and language evolved separately and that number skills preceded human speech.

2.   Clinton rushed to the Map Room to conduct a pair of rehearsals, the aides around him grim and without the jocularity that often precedes major speeches.

3.   Jack Ford spoke to the convention on behalf of the San Diego Host Committee, preceding a speech by his father, former President Gerald Ford.

4.   The retired Martin met the vice president on Monday during a discussion with him about Medicare that preceded a speech he gave in St. Petersburg, Fla.

5.   But most of them fell silent when she preceded her speech by singing the Indonesian national anthem.

6.   While she drew a large crowd of vocal supporters, they largely fell silent when she preceded her speech by singing the Indonesian national anthem.

7.   Aristide preceded his speech by releasing a single white dove of peace into the blue sky and breaking into a broad smile.