(1) The afternoon shadows lengthened.
(2) I need to lengthen this skirt.
(3) The evening shadows were lengthening...

(1) Disinfectant kills germs.
(2) Dirty hands can be a breeding ground for germs.
(3) Here was the germ of a brilliant idea.

(1) methods of information gathering
(2) a gathering of religious leaders
(3) a social/family gathering

(1) Thirty thousand spectators watched the final game.
(2) Although professional football is the nation's favorite spectator sport, professional baseball is also very popular.
(3) What is it like having to be a spectator instead of a player?

(1) to reverse a procedure/process/trend
(2) The government has failed to reverse the economic decline.
(3) It is sometimes possible to arrest or reverse the disease.

(1) He resigned as manager after eight years.
(2) Two members resigned from the board in protest.
(3) My father resigned his directorship last year.

(1) a hostile takeover bid
(2) hostile territory
(3) hostile conditions for plants to grow in

(1) Continuously improve lathe productivity & process yield with specific plan.
(2) The lathe turns cylindrical shapes.
(3) The bed saddle subsidence phenomenon in general lathe often takes place after a long time using.

(1) a prudent businessman
(2) a prudent decision/investment
(3) It might be more prudent to get a second opinion before going ahead.

(1) a debate that has split the country down the middle
(2) The committee split over government subsidies.
(3) She split the class into groups of four.

(1) Virus is smaller than bacterium living things, explains once bacterium, its creation, growth growth and structure.
(2) A bacterium Neisseria meningitidis that causes cerebrospinal meningitis.
(3) Compound bacterium will not directly affect aquatic biology but improve the survival environment of aquatic biology.

(1) These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.
(2) This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
(3) ...proponents of the thesis that computers can be programmed to do anything which a human mind does.

(1) The expulsion of thousands of people represents a humanitarian catastrophe of enormous proportions.
(2) They are calling for the release of the hostages on humanitarian grounds .
(3) a humanitarian organization

(1) stories of knights and fair maidens
(2) a maiden flight/voyage (= the first journey made by a plane/ship)
(3) a maiden speech (= the first speech made by an MP in the parliaments of some countries)

(1) drastic measures/changes
(2) The government is threatening to take drastic action .
(3) a drastic shortage of food

(1) a notable success/achievement/example
(2) His eyes are his most notable feature .
(3) The town is notable for its ancient harbour.

(1) the marvels of nature/technology
(2) The doctors have done marvels for her.
(3) Everyone marvelled at his courage.

(1) Both sides affirmed their commitment to the ceasefire.
(2) I can affirm that no one will lose their job.
(3) [不可数名词, 可数名词]She nodded in affirmation.

(1) a business suit
(2) a pinstripe suit
(3) a two-/three-piece suit (= of two/three pieces of clothing)

(1) a photo album
(2) the band's latest album
(3) Theresa showed me her photo album.

(1) a shrill voice
(2) shrill demands/protests
(3) Behind him, the telephone shrilled.

(1) We checked in our luggage and went through to the departure lounge.
(2) We've checked in at the hotel.
(3) ‘Is Mary in the office? ’ ‘Just a moment. I'll go and check. ’

(1) Adrenalin was injected into the muscle.
(2) She has been injecting herself with insulin since the age of 16.
(3) Chemicals are injected into the fruit to reduce decay.

(1) The verbs were subdivided into transitive and intransitive categories.
(2) The fashion industry should subdivide the market based on the dressing requirement of the consumer.
(3) You can use sales organizations to subdivide markets into regions.

(1) Joanna bears a strong likeness to her father.
(2) Do you notice any family likeness between them?
(3) The drawing is said to be a good likeness of the girl's attacker.

(1) a wood burner
(2) He put the frying pan on the gas burner.
(3) Man, why do you get such an oil burner?

(1) an ingenious device
(2) ingenious ways of saving energy
(3) an ingenious cook

(1) He was summoned to appear before the magistrates.
(2) In May 1688 he was urgently summoned to London.
(3) She summoned the waiter.

(1) We are trying to get the baby into a routine for feeding and sleeping.
(2) Make exercise a part of your daily routine .
(3) We clean and repair the machines as a matter of routine .

(1) The progression of the disease can be retarded by early surgery.
(2) [不可数名词]Many factors can lead to growth retardation in unborn babies.
(3) Continuing violence will retard negotiations over the country's future.

(1) Evidence of basic proficiency in English is part of the admission requirement.
(2) As a rule, the pharmacy's proficiency and authority is little doubted.
(3) proficiency in English and Chinese languages, both spoken and written.

(1) a windy day
(2) windy hills
(3) It was windy and Jake felt cold.

(1) It can be difficult to ascertain the facts.
(2) I ascertained that the driver was not badly hurt.
(3) It should be ascertained that the plans comply with the law.

(1) He had been taking part in an international symposium on population.
(2) And the progress of international geosciences projects and the multidisciplinary symposium reviewed also in this article.
(3) In June, China, Canada and Norway held the Third symposium on Human Rights in Bangkok , Thailand.

(1) to pack/unpack a suitcase
(2) It did not take Andrew long to pack a suitcase.
(3) The suitcase is rather heavy.

(1) to break something up into its constituent parts/elements
(2) She has the full support of her constituents.
(3) Caffeine is the active constituent of drinks such as tea and coffee.

(1) It is France versus Brazil in the final.
(2) in the case of the State versus Ford
(3) It was the promise of better job opportunities versus the inconvenience of moving away and leaving her friends.

(1) We all speculated about the reasons for her resignation.
(2) It is useless to speculate why he did it.
(3) We can speculate that the stone circles were used in some sort of pagan ceremony.

(1) the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty
(2) Christian doctrine
(3) the Monroe doctrine

(1) violent crime
(2) Students were involved in violent clashes with the police.
(3) He met with a violent death (= he was murdered, killed in a fight, etc.)