(1) a serious illness/problem/offence
(2) to cause serious injury/damage
(3) They pose a serious threat to security.

(1) North American literature is the main theme of this year's festival.
(2) The President stressed a favourite campaign theme─greater emphasis on education.
(3) The naked male figure was always the central theme of Greek art.

(1) During that time, she so gained my aunt's confidence that she was put in charge of the domestic staff.
(2) The cook is in charge of the kitchen helper.
(3) He is in charge of the general affairs.

(1) to be of good/poor/top quality
(2) goods of a high quality
(3) high-quality goods

(1) a naughty boy/girl
(2) (humorous)I'm being very naughty─I've ordered champagne!
(3) a naughty joke/word

(1) eat up your lunch.
(2) eat up your fish and don't be so finicky.
(3) I can't afford the vacation, for it would eat up my savings.

(1) He was charged with possessing a shotgun without a licence.
(2) The gallery possesses a number of the artist's early works.
(3) I'm afraid he doesn't possess a sense of humour.

(1) Anyone willing to assist can contact this number.
(2) We are looking for people who would be willing to assist in the group's work.
(3) activities that will assist the decision-making process

(1) a talented player
(2) Howard is a talented pianist...
(3) She has a huge army of young fans, and is extremely talented.

(1) The child doesn't get on well with others.
(2) How can you get on well with your neighbours?
(3) She did not get on well with the other pupils.

(1) You'd better not mess about in the affairs of others.
(2) Don't mess about my bags.
(3) You'll never finish this job if you mess about.

(1) to put sth on temporary/permanent display
(2) The exhibition gives local artists an opportunity to display their work.
(3) She displayed her bruises for all to see.

(1) Tents come in various shapes and sizes.
(2) She took the job for various reasons.
(3) There are various ways of doing this.

(1) a large/small quantity of sth
(2) enormous/vast/huge quantities of food
(3) a product that is cheap to produce in large quantities

(1) I've been sneezing all morning.
(2) In those days, $20 was not a sum to be sneezed at.
(3) coughs and sneezes

(1) That's cheating in my book.
(2) She always does everything by the book.
(3) I'm in her good books at the moment because I cleared up the kitchen.

(1) These days we have more money and more leisure to enjoy it.
(2) leisure activities/interests/pursuits
(3) Spend the afternoon at leisure in the town centre.

(1) to fetch help/a doctor
(2) The inhabitants have to walk a mile to fetch water.
(3) She's gone to fetch the kids from school.

(1) I wonder who she is.
(2) I was just beginning to wonder where you were.
(3) ‘Why do you want to know? ’ ‘No particular reason. I was just wondering. ’

(1) There is no known cure but the illness can be treated.
(2) Doctors cannot effect a cure if the disease has spread too far.
(3) The cure took six weeks.

(1) Development of the area would endanger wildlife.
(2) a wildlife habitat/sanctuary
(3) People were concerned that pets or wildlife could be affected by the pesticides.

(1) The health of our children is being endangered by exhaust fumes.
(2) That one mistake seriously endangered the future of the company.
(3) The sea turtle is an endangered species (= it may soon no longer exist) .

(1) an accurate description/account/calculation
(2) accurate information/data
(3) accurate records must be kept.

(1) The judges awarded both finalists equal points.
(2) The judges awarded equal points to both finalists.
(3) He was awarded damages of £50 000.

(1) a water-saving device
(2) electrical labour-saving devices around the home
(3) A powerful device exploded outside the station.

(1) It is an electronic device with many uses.
(2) It's an electronic device that protects your vehicle 24 hours a day.
(3) An electronic device that compresses the volume range of a signal.

(1) There will be fines for people who drop litter .
(2) The floor was covered with a litter of newspapers, clothes and empty cups.
(3) cat litter

(1) I saw them making their way, hand in hand, down the path.
(2) For us, research and teaching go hand in hand.
(3) Higher returns and higher risk usually go hand in hand.

(1) wild animals/flowers
(2) a wild rabbit
(3) wild strawberries

(1) Mari tilted her head back so that she could look at him.
(2) He spun the steering-wheel so that we yawed from side to side.
(3) Swaddle your newborn baby so that she feels secure.

(1) sort out all your bills, receipts, invoices and expenses as quickly as possible and keep detailed accounts...
(2) Davina was sorting out scraps of material...
(3) India and Nepal have sorted out their trade and security dispute...

(1) Her job demands a high degree of skill.
(2) I agree with you to a certain degree .
(3) To what degree can parents be held responsible for a child's behaviour?

(1) I'll call the restaurant and make a reservation .
(2) We have a reservation in the name of Grant.
(3) I have serious reservations about his ability to do the job.

(1) I'd like to reserve a table for three for eight o'clock.
(2) I've reserved a room in the name of Jones.
(3) These seats are reserved for special guests.

(1) Why won't you let me go to Haley's sleepover party?

(1) You will find a wide variety of choices available in school cafeterias.
(2) The island offers such a wide variety of scenery and wildlife.
(3) Eat a wide variety of carbs, fruit, and vegetables.

(1) We grew up in the same neighbourhood.
(2) a poor/quiet/residential neighbourhood
(3) Manhattan is divided into distinct neighborhoods.

(1) I like to think I'm relatively easy to get along with.
(2) It's impossible to get along with him.
(3) get along with you. It's a cock and bull story.