def _get_sentences_with_word_count(sentences, words):
    """ Given a list of sentences, returns a list of sentences with a
    total word count similar to the word count provided.
    """
    word_count = 0
    selected_sentences = []
    for sentence in sentences:
        words_in_sentence = len(sentence.text.split())
        if abs(words - word_count - words_in_sentence) > abs(words - word_count
            ):
            return selected_sentences
        selected_sentences.append(sentence)
        word_count += words_in_sentence
    return selected_sentences
