(1) a highly significant discovery
(2) The results of the experiment are not statistically significant .
(3) There are no significant differences between the two groups of students.

(1) a gold ring
(2) A diamond glittered on her ring finger (= the finger next to the little finger, especially on the left hand) .
(3) a key ring

(1) Have you observed any changes lately?
(2) All the characters in the novel are closely observed (= seem like people in real life) .
(3) The police observed a man enter the bank.

(1) green vegetables (= for example cabbage )
(2) root vegetables (= for example carrots )
(3) a salad of raw vegetables

(1) a big/hearty/light breakfast
(2) (especially British English)a cooked breakfast
(3) Do you want bacon and eggs for breakfast ?

(1) Anita paused for a moment, then said: ‘All right. ’
(2) The woman spoke almost without pausing for breath (= very quickly) .
(3) I paused at the door and looked back.

(1) A good diet is beneficial to health.
(2) Using computers has a beneficial effect on children's learning.
(3) ...vitamins which are beneficial to our health...

(1) nursing auxiliaries
(2) auxiliary nurses/workers/services
(3) The restaurant is operated by the Palo Alto auxiliary for the benefit of the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital.

(1) He waited, watching her like a hawk (= watching her very closely) .
(2) He hawked and spat.
(3) Developers will be hawking cut-price flats and houses.

(1) the continent of Africa
(2) the African continent
(3) We're going to spend a weekend on the continent.

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

(1) a can of dog food (= for a dog to eat)
(2) He's off his food (= he does not want to eat anything) .
(3) a shortage of food/food shortages

(1) tropical fruits, such as bananas and pineapples
(2) Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
(3) a piece of fruit (= an apple, an orange, etc.)

(1) They're both uncertain about what to do.
(2) I'm still uncertain of my feelings for him.
(3) Our future looks uncertain.

(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) positive/conclusive proof
(2) Can you provide any proof of identity ?
(3) Keep the receipt as proof of purchase .

(1) [不可数名词]a degree in librarianship
(2) The librarian is arranging the books on the shelf.
(3) The computer can alter the serials librarian and produce a bindery notice.

(1) a cunning liar
(2) He was as cunning as a fox.
(3) It was a cunning piece of detective work.

(1) Broadway theatres
(2) an open-air theatre
(3) How often do you go to the theatre ?

(1) to inflict/impose/mete out punishment
(2) What is the punishment for murder?
(3) There is little evidence that harsher punishments deter any better than more lenient ones.

(1) It helped being able to talk about it.
(2) She helped (to) organize the party.
(3) Come and help me lift this box.

(1) the elimination of toxins from the body
(2) There were three eliminations in the first round of the competition.
(3) Credit cards eliminate the need to carry a lot of cash.

(1) [不可数名词]She laughed to cover up her feeling of awkwardness.
(2) Have I come at an awkward time?
(3) This box is very awkward for one person to carry.

(1) pine forests
(2) pine needles
(3) a Scots pine

(1) advances in modern medicine
(2) to study/practise medicine
(3) traditional/conventional/orthodox medicine

(1) Job applications from disable workers poured in at a staggering rate.
(2) disable menu items when they are not applicable.
(3) A power failure during the firmware writing operation will disable the camera.

(1) the night porter
(2) The hotel porter will get you a taxi.
(3) From the cellar grating floated up the flabby gush of porter.

(1) The city was liberated by the advancing army.
(2) Writing poetry liberated her from the routine of everyday life.
(3) [不可数名词, 单数]a war of liberation

(1) ...a business with severe cash flow problems...
(2) I suffered from severe bouts of depression...
(3) This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary...

(1) a naval base/officer/battle
(2) He was the senior serving naval officer.
(3) ...the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

(1) a pile of books/clothes/bricks
(2) He arranged the documents in neat piles.
(3) She looked in horror at the mounting pile of letters on her desk.

(1) They were granted refugee status.
(2) The party was denied legal status.
(3) low status jobs

(1) What a splendid idea!
(2) We've all had a splendid time.
(3) splendid scenery

(1) Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
(2) Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin...
(3) The company produces titanium alloy.

(1) Come over on Sunday afternoon.
(2) Where were you on the afternoon of May 21?
(3) Are you ready for this afternoon's meeting?

(1) We have a fast turnover of stock.
(2) That particular model is not currently in stock .
(3) I'm afraid we're temporarily out of stock .

(1) the tomb of the Unknown Soldier
(2) A few red roses were scattered on the tomb.
(3) Wreaths were laid at the martyr's tomb.

(1) Mozart clearly enjoyed good health throughout his twenties and early thirties.
(2) She became quite a notable director in the thirties and forties.
(3) He is thirty inches round the middle.

(1) a place where children can play in safety
(2) The police are concerned for the safety of the 12-year-old boy who has been missing for three days.
(3) He was kept in custody for his own safety .

(1) the Christmas/Easter/summer vacation
(2) (British English)the long vacation (= the summer vacation)
(3) They're on vacation in Hawaii right now.