(1) Please pay attention (= listen carefully) to what I am saying.
(2) Don't pay any attention to what they say (= don't think that it is important) .
(3) She tried to attract the waiter's attention .

(1) strong/high winds
(2) gale-force winds
(3) a light wind

(1) the ocean bed
(2) oyster beds (= an area in the sea where there are many oysters )
(3) flower beds

(1) It contained the correct set of equations that capped [ vi ] his theory of general relativity.
(2) It is concluded that the index bears good structural selectivity and relativity.
(3) The teacher explained theory of relativity simply and clearly.

(1) There is now intense competition between schools to attract students.
(2) We are in competition with four other companies for the contract.
(3) We won the contract in the face of stiff competition .

(1) You're absolutely right.
(2) He made it absolutely clear.
(3) She did absolutely no work.

(1) It was decided (that) the school should purchase new software.
(2) The case will be decided by a jury.
(3) The Appeal Court decided in their favour .

(1) ...taking dictation from the dean of the Faculty...
(2) He had had an arm amputated and relied on her to take down his books from dictation.
(3) The Europeans, while keen for partnership with the US, would not accept dictation.

(1) modest improvements/reforms
(2) He charged a relatively modest fee.
(3) a modest little house

(1) a microscope slide
(2) The bacteria were then examined under a/the microscope .
(3) (figurative)In the play, love and marriage are put under the microscope .

(1) They hinted (that) there might be more job losses.
(2) What are you hinting at?
(3) Sarah hoped he'd take the hint and leave her alone.

(1) to get on/off a train
(2) I like travelling by train .
(3) a passenger/commuter/goods/freight train

(1) Do you have any pets?
(2) a pet dog/hamster, etc.
(3) a family/domestic pet

(1) imports of cheap food from abroad
(2) He was famous, both at home and abroad (= in his own country and in other countries) .
(3) There was news abroad that a change was coming.

(1) The tone in his voice brooked no argument.
(2) From childhood on, she'd had a plan of action, one that would brook no interference...
(3) The army will brook no weakening of its power.

(1) Please enclose your remittance, making cheques payable to Thames Valley Technology.
(2) Make sure you enclose all the relevant certificates.
(3) I enclose herewith a copy of the policy.

(1) One of the glass panels in the front door was cracked.
(2) The trousers have double thickness knee panels for extra protection.
(3) an advisory panel

(1) This is the second time it's happened.
(2) Italy scored a second goal just after half-time.
(3) the second of June/June 2nd

(1) The sudden weakness in her legs made her stumble.
(2) the weakness of the dollar against the pound
(3) He thought that crying was a sign of weakness .

(1) only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb...
(2) ...the guidance and discipline that can be provided only by a strong male...
(3) The lawyer is paid only if he wins...

(1) a brave/charitable/evil/good deed
(2) a tale of heroic deeds
(3) the deeds of the house

(1) regular/irregular verbs
(2) transitive/intransitive verbs
(3) It's a Latin verb of the second conjugation.

(1) garden tools
(2) a cutting tool
(3) power tools (= using electricity)

(1) She was widowed when she was 35.
(2) his widowed father
(3) The widow Douglas stayed by to see that he obeyed.

(1) widespread damage
(2) The plan received widespread support throughout the country.
(3) There is widespread support for the new proposals...

(1) She won't allow herself to be dictated to.
(2) He allowed his mind to wander.
(3) Smoking is not allowed in the hall.

(1) a brain/heart, etc. surgeon
(2) ...a heart surgeon.
(3) I want to see a surgeon.

(1) I haven't packed yet.
(2) I haven't packed my suitcase yet.
(3) He packed a bag with a few things and was off.

(1) Avoid unhealthy foods such as hamburger and chips.
(2) We stopped at a drive-in for a hamburger.
(3) a hamburger with all the fixings

(1) the minister of Education
(2) a meeting of EU Foreign ministers
(3) senior ministers in the Cabinet

(1) According to the theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than light.
(2) the theory and practice of language teaching
(3) I have this theory that most people prefer being at work to being at home.

(1) to make a purchase (= buy sth)
(2) Keep your receipt as proof of purchase .
(3) The company has just announced its £27 million purchase of Park Hotel.

(1) to get a tan
(2) She is tall and blonde, with a permanent tan.
(3) I have very pale skin that never tans...

(1) strawberries and cream
(2) strawberry plants
(3) ...strawberries and cream.

(1) Eve, squinting at the clock, saw it was just on 7 a.m.
(2) The Visitor Centre is open daily 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
(3) Everyone had already assembled in the boardroom for the 9:00 a.m. session.

(1) I'll send the original to you by post .
(2) I'll put the information in the post to you tomorrow.
(3) My application got lost in the post .

(1) solar radiation
(2) the solar cycle
(3) solar power/heating

(1) Traffic is now flowing smoothly again.
(2) The engine was running smoothly.
(3) The interview went smoothly .

(1) organic cheese/vegetables/wine, etc.
(2) an organic farmer/gardener
(3) organic farming/horticulture

(1) Mike is responsible for designing the entire project.
(2) Even where parents no longer live together, they each continue to be responsible for their children.
(3) Who's responsible for this mess?