Problem: What are the most important words?
rising sun through a thick layer of fog
Answer: layer, rise, sun

Problem: What are the most important words?
football player received an emotional show of solidarity from fans on his return
Answer: player, receive, return

Problem: What are the most important words?
Atop the stairs, someone grips the gate and glares at the armed steward.
Answer:
gate, glare, grip, stair, steward