(1) By two and a half he knew the alphabet.
(2) The modern Russian alphabet has 31 letters...
(3) Y is the penultimate letter of the alphabet.

(1) a disturbing piece of news
(2) There was something about him she found disturbing...
(3) There are disturbing reports of killings at the two centres.

(1) the news/broadcasting/national media
(2) The trial was fully reported in the media.
(3) The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.

(1) He showed great courage and determination.
(2) I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask her.
(3) moral/physical courage

(1) I have a hectic schedule for the next few days.
(2) We're working to a tight schedule (= we have a lot of things to do in a short time) .
(3) Filming began on schedule (= at the planned time) .

(1) Traditional beliefs still flourish alongside a modern urban lifestyle.
(2) Nick caught up with me and rode alongside.
(3) A police car pulled up alongside us.

(1) As soon as I receive payment I will express the book to you.
(2) an express bus/coach/train
(3) express delivery services

(1) He heaped his team with praise.
(2) He heaped praise on his team.
(3) She heaped my plate with food.

(1) I've done nothing much since coffee time...
(2) Mr Pearson said he knew nothing of his wife's daytime habits...
(3) Because he had always had money it meant nothing to him...

(1) the latest unemployment figures
(2) the latest craze/fashion/trend
(3) her latest novel

(1) The government was accused of incompetence.
(2) (formal)They stand accused of crimes against humanity.
(3) She accused him of lying.

(1) He couldn't conceal his envy of me.
(2) She felt a pang of envy at the thought of his success.
(3) They looked with envy at her latest purchase.

(1) We flew home via Dubai.
(2) I heard about the sale via Jane.
(3) The news programme came to us via satellite.

(1) The kitchen was in a disgusting state when she left.
(2) What a disgusting smell!
(3) I think it's disgusting that they're closing the local hospital.

(1) application/system software
(2) design/educational/music-sharing, etc. software
(3) to install/run a piece of software

(1) You're not leaving already, are you?
(2) I'm already late.
(3) There are far too many people already. We can't take any more.

(1) a photo/recording/training, etc. session
(2) The course is made up of 12 two-hour sessions.
(3) a session of the UN General Assembly

(1) At last they were able to feel secure about the future.
(2) She finished the match, secure in the knowledge that she was through to the next round.
(3) a secure job/income

(1) I suggested that he rest, and sent him for an x-ray.
(2) The hospital staff held off taking Rosenbaum in for an x-ray.
(3) She was advised to have an abdominal x-ray.

(1) I'd like to add some pepper to the bean curd.
(2) Cut into streaky pork thin slice, bean curd slice, bottom go into boil of pot in.
(3) Sure. Then, you can go and eat fried bean curd.

(1) She seemed to have everything ─looks, money, intelligence.
(2) everything in the capital is now quiet.
(3) ‘How's everything with you? ’ ‘Fine, thanks. ’

(1) I dragged the chair over to the window.
(2) They dragged her from her bed.
(3) I managed to drag myself out of bed.

(1) Seven minus three is four (7 – 3 = 4).
(2) the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic republics and Georgia
(3) It was minus ten.

(1) I was thankful to see they'd all arrived safely.
(2) He wasn't badly hurt─that's something to be thankful for.
(3) I was thankful that he hadn't been hurt.

(1) a tin mine
(2) a tin box
(3) a tin of beans

(1) fillet/rump/sirloin steak
(2) How would you like your steak done?
(3) a steak knife (= one with a special blade for eating steak with)

(1) a general knowledge quiz
(2) a television quiz show
(3) a reading comprehension quiz

(1) to die of/from starvation
(2) Millions will face starvation next year as a result of the drought.
(3) a starvation diet (= one in which you do not have much to eat)

(1) a hot water tank
(2) a fuel tank
(3) a fish tank (= for keeping fish in)

(1) We all had colds and couldn't stop sniffing and sneezing.
(2) sniffing the fresh morning air
(3) to sniff glue

(1) customs duty/duties
(2) to pay customs on sth
(3) to go through customs and passport control

(1) They fished a dead body out of the river.
(2) She fished a piece of paper out of the pile on her desk.
(3) fish stocks in the Baltic are in decline.

(1) radium can be used to treat cancer.
(2) Radon is the daughter of radium.
(3) radium can be fixed some distance from its original source.

(1) a pack of wolves
(2) I was back in the changing room wolfing tea and sandwiches.
(3) A lot of the lads took small jobs to help keep the wolf from the door.

(1) (British English also)They are demanding that all troops should be withdrawn.
(2) Good secretaries are always in demand.
(3) Feed the baby on demand.

(1) TV pictures showed the arctic conditions.
(2) This ship was designed expressly for exploring the arctic waters.
(3) They flew over the unlimited reaches of the arctic.

(1) The changes were made with surprisingly little difficulty.
(2) He spoke slowly and with great difficulty.
(3) We found the house without difficulty .

(1) Can you recommend a good hotel?
(2) I recommend the book to all my students.
(3) She was recommended for the post by a colleague.

(1) heavy/rush-hour traffic
(2) local/through traffic
(3) There's always a lot of traffic at this time of day.

(1) Don't you believe in equality between men and women?
(2) the principle of equality before the law (= the law treats everyone the same)
(3) equality of opportunity