Hoan Kiem Lake is an attractive body of water right in the (17) __________ of Hanoi. Legend has it that in the mid-15th century (18) __________, Heaven gave Emperor Le Thai To (Le Loi) a magical sword which he used to fight (19) __________ the Chinese, the Ming aggressors, out of Vietnam. After that one day when he was out (20) __________ in the lake, a giant (21) __________ tortoise suddenly grabbed the sword and (22) __________ into the depths of the lake. Since then, the lake has been known as Hoan Kiem lake, (23) __________ it is believed the sword was taken to its original divine owners.
The tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star, is (24) __________ a small island in the middle of the lake; it is often used (25) __________an emblem of Hanoi. Every morning around 6 a.m, local residents can be seen around Hoan Kiem lake (26) __________their morning exercises, jogging or playing badminton.