In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.

Let us take a brief look at the planet (1)______ which we live. As the earth hurtles through space at a (2)______ of 70, 000 miles per hour, it spins, as we all know, on its axis, (3)______ causes it to be flattened at the Poles. Thus, if you (4)______ to stand at the North or South Pole you would be 13 miles nearer the centre of the earth (5)______ if you stood on the Equator.