(1) Meteorologists (DIVIDE) ________ the infinite varieties of cloud formation into ten basic types.

(2) Not all of them make shapes — some are just too blurry and indistinct (HAVE) ________ any clear edges to them. (3) But the most distinct (BE) ________ the sharp-edged "cumulus" clouds, which are the fluffy cottonwool tufts you see on a sunny day. (4) They often look like elephants. (5) This is because they can develop vertical towers, borne on rising columns of air (thermals).

(6) After about ten minutes, the (CLOUD) ________ droplets start to evaporate at the sides, (LEAVE) ________ a central trunk that curls upwards as it (BLOW) ________ along in the wind and looks like the trunk of an elephant.

(7) This might be why ancient Hindus and Buddhists believed elephants (BE) ________ the spiritual cousins of clouds.