(1) The snow showed no sign of melting.
(2) melting ice
(3) The sun had melted the snow.

(1) the optic nerve
(2) nerve cells
(3) nerve endings

(1) Journalists are supposed to be politically neutral.
(2) I didn't take my father's or my mother's side; I tried to remain neutral .
(3) neutral territory/waters

(1) Heat until all the water has evaporated.
(2) The sun is constantly evaporating the earth's moisture.
(3) Her confidence had now completely evaporated.

(1) Who do you think will get (the) most votes?
(2) She had the most money of all of them.
(3) I spent most time on the first question.

(1) 3 000 acres of parkland
(2) a three-acre wood
(3) (informal)Each house has acres of space around it (= a lot of space) .

(1) She gives piano lessons.
(2) All new students are given lessons in/on how to use the library.
(3) I'm having/taking driving lessons.

(1) The children were dressed identically.
(2) This is the identical room we stayed in last year.
(3) The two pictures are similar, although not identical.

(1) She still sucks her thumb when she's worried.
(2) There's a hole in the thumb.
(3) Let's hold thumbs that you get the job.

(1) We are trying to compile a list of suitable people for the job.
(2) The album was compiled from live recordings from last year's tour.
(3) Councils were required to compile a register of all adults living in their areas...

(1) a cup/mug/pot of tea
(2) lemon/iced tea
(3) Would you like tea or coffee?

(1) This is one of the most commonly used methods.
(2) commonly held opinions
(3) Christopher is commonly known as Kit.

(1) This room is twice the length of the kitchen.
(2) The river is 300 miles in length .
(3) The snake usually reaches a length of 100 cm.

(1) a shady garden
(2) We went to find somewhere cool and shady to have a drink.
(3) a shady businessman/deal

(1) How do you spell your surname?
(2) I thought her name was Catherine, but it's Kathryn spelt with a ‘K ’.
(3) I've never been able to spell.

(1) crimes/acts/threats of violence
(2) He condemned the protesters' use of violence against the police.
(3) domestic violence (= between family members)

(1) to save sb's life
(2) to save a rare species (from extinction)
(3) Doctors were unable to save her.

(1) The instructions were rather complicated.
(2) She fell and hurt her leg rather badly.
(3) I didn't fail the exam; in fact I did rather well!

(1) a dustbin lid
(2) I can't get the lid off this jar.
(3) The government is keeping the lid on inflation.

(1) the legend of Robin Hood
(2) the heroes of Greek legend
(3) legend has it that the lake was formed by the tears of a god.

(1) high/low voltage
(2) The systems are getting smaller and using lower voltages.
(3) ...high-voltage power lines.

(1) The cheetah can attain speeds of up to 97 kph.
(2) Most of our students attained five ‘A ’ grades in their exams.
(3) Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.

(1) What's your definition of happiness?
(2) The definition of the digital TV pictures is excellent.
(3) Neighbours by definition live close by (= this is what being a neighbour means) .

(1) Our son's having problems with his reading and writing (= at school) .
(2) a writing case (= containing paper, pens, etc.)
(3) Only later did she discover a talent for writing.

(1) The Queen laid a wreath at the war memorial.
(2) a holly wreath
(3) a laurel wreath

(1) The school has a reputation for high standards of discipline.
(2) Strict discipline is imposed on army recruits.
(3) She keeps good discipline in class.

(1) official responsibilities
(2) the Prime Minister's official residence
(3) He attended in his official capacity as mayor.

(1) Things can easily go wrong when people are under stress .
(2) to suffer from stress
(3) coping with stress

(1) I need to consult with my colleagues on the proposals.
(2) He consulted the manual.
(3) I expect to be consulted about major issues.

(1) They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence.
(2) ‘I know you're lying. ’ ‘prove it! ’
(3) Just give me a chance and I'll prove it to you.

(1) I was the only person on deck at that time of night.
(2) As the storm began, everyone disappeared below deck(s) .
(3) the upper/lower/main deck of a ship

(1) in/during the reign of Charles II
(2) the reigning monarch
(3) Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901.

(1) a good listener (= sb who you can rely on to listen with attention or sympathy)
(2) I'm a regular listener to her show...
(3) Each week Dr Buczacki chooses a listener's question and gives a detailed answer.

(1) the croaking of frogs
(2) Quick unexpected frog goes Plop!
(3) Once upon a time a big, fat frog lived in a tiny shallow pond.

(1) You should receive a reply within seven days.
(2) The ambulance arrived within minutes of the call being made.
(3) Two elections were held within the space of a year.

(1) a weary traveller
(2) She suddenly felt old and weary.
(3) a weary sigh

(1) to put up/take down a tent
(2) to pitch (= put up) a tent
(3) Food will be served in the hospitality tent (= for example at an outdoor show) .

(1) The ancient Egyptians saw paradise as an idealized version of their own lives.
(2) a tropical paradise
(3) The area is a birdwatcher's paradise.

(1) The panda eats bamboo. Chomp , chomp , chew, yum my bamboo.
(2) The panda has long become accustomed to the huge crowds of visitors.
(3) The panda is a native of west China.

(1) a political/theoretical, etc. standpoint
(2) He is writing from the standpoint of someone who knows what life is like in prison.
(3) He believes that from a military standpoint, the situation is under control...