(1) I've joined the union .
(2) a union member
(3) the Scottish Rugby union

(1) The onlookers stood at a respectful distance.
(2) We were brought up to be respectful of authority.
(3) He listened respectfully.

(1) His answer to the journalist is a shrewd one.
(2) He is not so much a journalist as a writer.
(3) The editor at once sent the journalist a telegram instructing him to find out the exact number of steps and the height of the wall.

(1) I need to pay off all my debts before I leave the country.
(2) an outstanding debt of £300
(3) He had run up credit card debts of thousands of dollars.

(1) to give/make/deliver a speech on human rights
(2) He made the announcement in a speech on television.
(3) Several people made speeches at the wedding.

(1) a person of high/average/low intelligence
(2) He didn't even have the intelligence to call for an ambulance.
(3) intelligence reports

(1) Her work is very highly regarded.
(2) Capital punishment was regarded as inhuman and immoral.
(3) He regards himself as a patriot.

(1) She was chosen for the job on the basis of her qualifications.
(2) Some videos have been banned on the basis that they are too violent.
(3) on a regular/permanent/part-time/temporary basis

(1) She's an authority on criminal law.
(2) He spoke with authority on the topic.
(3) I have to report this to the authorities.

(1) I have great faith in you─I know you'll do well.
(2) We've lost faith in the government's promises.
(3) Her friend's kindness has restored her faith in human nature.

(1) That is just a secondary consideration .
(2) Experience is what matters─age is of secondary importance .
(3) Raising animals was only secondary to other forms of farming.

(1) His landlord doubled the rent.
(2) The landlord refused to serve him because he considered him too drunk.
(3) My landlord is so nosy. He comes by twice a month to inspect my apartment.

(1) Doctors said she is now out of danger (= not likely to die) .
(2) There is no danger of a bush fire now.
(3) The building is in danger of collapsing.

(1) It'll cost a lot─well, take a lot of time, but it amounts to the same thing .
(2) Their actions amount to a breach of contract.
(3) Her answer amounted to a complete refusal.

(1) a college of further education (= providing education and training for people over 16)
(2) a secretarial college
(3) the Royal college of Art

(1) The job would suit someone with a business background.
(2) the historical background to the war
(3) background information/knowledge

(1) I found the test relatively easy.
(2) We had relatively few applications for the job.
(3) Lack of exercise is also a risk factor for heart disease but it's relatively small when compared with the others.

(1) the planet earth
(2) the history of life on earth
(3) the earth's ozone layer

(1) They left me to tidy it all up myself. charming, wasn't it?
(2) The cottage is tiny, but it's charming.
(3) She's a charming person.

(1) ‘And don't be late, ’ she added.
(2) He added that they would return a week later.
(3) The suite will add a touch of class to your bedroom.

(1) heating bills
(2) a gas heating system
(3) Who turned the heating off?

(1) the Biology mistress
(2) the mistress of the house
(3) She wants to be mistress of her own affairs (= to organize her own life) .

(1) (British English)It was only a friendly match.
(2) friendly rivalry
(3) a friendly argument

(1) There is now no possibility that she will make a full recovery.
(2) He refused to rule out the possibility of a tax increase.
(3) It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we'll all meet again one day.

(1) If I was just a sailor could I sail without a boat.
(2) The sailor put in for time to visit his family before the ship went to sea.
(3) I know he is a sailor by the cut of his jib.

(1) He was voted the most promising new actor for his part in the movie.
(2) The weather doesn't look very promising.
(3) The day began promisingly with bright sunshine.

(1) a thorough knowledge of the subject
(2) The police carried out a thorough investigation.
(3) She's very thorough and conscientious.

(1) Contemporary photographs are juxtaposed with a sixteenth century, copper portuguese mirror.
(2) The word "Pagoda" was introduced to Europe by the 17th century portuguese.
(3) The portuguese team looked like world beaters in last night's game.

(1) apple sauce
(2) a garden with three apple trees
(3) They really are apples and oranges.

(1) a weather/communications satellite
(2) The interview came live by satellite from Hollywood.
(3) satellite television/TV (= broadcast using a satellite )

(1) buried treasure
(2) a pirate's treasure chest
(3) the priceless art treasures of the Uffizi gallery

(1) She emphasized that their plan would mean sacrifices and hard work.
(2) He emphasized how little was known about the disease.
(3) It should be emphasized that this is only one possible explanation.

(1) matching curtains and cushions
(2) a floor cushion (= a large cushion that you put on the floor to sit on)
(3) a pile of scatter cushions (= small cushions , often in bright colours, that you put on chairs, etc.)

(1) She had money squirrelled away in various bank accounts.
(2) The squirrel stashes away nuts for winter.
(3) The squirrel leads up the tree as lightning.

(1) travelling companions
(2) (figurative)Fear was the hostages' constant companion.
(3) She was a charming dinner companion.

(1) theirs are the children with very fair hair.
(2) It's a favourite game of theirs.
(3) There was a big group of a dozen people at the table next to theirs...

(1) mountain streams
(2) A stream of blood flowed from the wound.
(3) I've had a steady stream of visitors.

(1) hotel rooms/guests
(2) a two-star/five-star, etc. hotel
(3) a luxury hotel

(1) big/major/serious problems
(2) health/family, etc. problems
(3) financial/practical/technical problems

(1) The fields were divided by stone walls.
(2) He sat on the wall and watched the others playing.
(3) I'm going to paint the walls white and the ceiling pink.