(1) The activities of credit companies are regulated by law.
(2) It is up to the regulating authority to put the measures into effect.
(3) This valve regulates the flow of water.

(1) Do you have a fax?
(2) Can you send it to me by fax ?
(3) What is your fax number?

(1) The police think the videotape may hold some vital clues to the identity of the killer.
(2) Diet may hold the clue to the causes of migraine.
(3) ‘You'll never guess who I saw today! ’ ‘Give me a clue. ’

(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) a decision of major political significance
(2) The new drug has great significance for the treatment of the disease.
(3) They discussed the statistical significance of the results.

(1) conditions of abject/extreme poverty
(2) to alleviate/relieve poverty
(3) Many elderly people live in poverty .

(1) builders' merchants (= who sell supplies to the building trade)
(2) a coal/wine merchant
(3) Venice was once a city of rich merchants.

(1) I made it clear right from the outset that I disapproved.
(2) Decide at the outset what kind of learning programme you want to follow...
(3) From the outset he had put his trust in me, the son of his old friend.

(1) Human beings need food, clothing and shelter.
(2) to take shelter from the storm
(3) The fox was running for the shelter of the trees.

(1) particles of dust
(2) dust particles
(3) There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case.

(1) The two teams have always been rivals.
(2) The Japanese are our biggest economic rivals.
(3) This latest design has no rivals (= it is easily the best design available) .

(1) a fatal accident/blow/illness
(2) a potentially fatal form of cancer
(3) If she gets ill again it could prove fatal .

(1) the harmony of colour in nature
(2) passionate lyrics and stunning vocal harmonies
(3) to study four-part harmony

(1) a dominant/recessive gene
(2) genes that code for the colour of the eyes
(3) I've always enjoyed music─it's in the genes.

(1) Eight kilometres is roughly equivalent to five miles.
(2) 250 grams or an equivalent amount in ounces
(3) [不可数名词](formal)There is no straightforward equivalence between economic progress and social well-being.

(1) a massive rock
(2) the massive walls of the castle
(3) The explosion made a massive hole in the ground.

(1) temporary relief from pain
(2) I'm looking for some temporary work .
(3) They had to move into temporary accommodation .

(1) a debate on abortion
(2) The minister opened the debate (= was the first to speak) .
(3) The motion under debate (= being discussed) was put to a vote.

(1) We've put down a 5% deposit on the house.
(2) They normally ask you to pay £100 (as a) deposit.
(3) to pay a deposit

(1) a zebra's black and white stripes
(2) a white tablecloth with red stripes
(3) She wore a bright green jogging suit with a white stripe down the sides...

(1) junior employees
(2) She is junior to me.
(3) the world junior tennis championships

(1) Our students are oriented towards science subjects.
(2) We run a commercially oriented operation.
(3) profit-orientated organizations

(1) What I failed to appreciate was the distance between the two cities.
(2) I don't think you appreciate how expensive it will be.
(3) We didn't fully appreciate that he was seriously ill.

(1) life/car/travel/household, etc. insurance
(2) to have adequate insurance cover
(3) to take out insurance against fire and theft

(1) She's an authority on criminal law.
(2) He spoke with authority on the topic.
(3) I have to report this to the authorities.

(1) The country was descending into chaos.
(2) Hundreds of football fans descended on the city.
(3) They descended to the level of personal insults.

(1) They went over budget (= spent too much money) .
(2) budget cuts
(3) tax cuts in this year's budget

(1) to be bursting with ideas/enthusiasm/pride
(2) The hall was filled to bursting point .
(3) The hall was full to bursting .

(1) an adequate supply of hot water
(2) The room was small but adequate.
(3) The space available is not adequate for our needs.

(1) The artist is making sketches for his next painting.
(2) She drew a sketch map of the area to show us the way.
(3) The drama group did a sketch about a couple buying a new car.

(1) She's in a good mood today (= happy and friendly) .
(2) He's always in a bad mood (= unhappy, or angry and impatient) .
(3) to be in a foul/filthy mood

(1) European civilization was the first to impose itself across the whole world.
(2) Everyone imposes on Dave's good nature.
(3) ‘You must stay for lunch. ’ ‘Well, thanks, but I don't want to impose… ’

(1) I redid my hair.

(1) A recent survey showed 75% of those questioned were in favour of the plan.
(2) The survey revealed that…
(3) to conduct/carry out a survey

(1) a weather/communications satellite
(2) The interview came live by satellite from Hollywood.
(3) satellite television/TV (= broadcast using a satellite )

(1) battery eggs
(2) a battery hen
(3) a battery of reporters

(1) a camp for refugees fleeing from the war
(2) He fled to London after an argument with his family.
(3) She burst into tears and fled.

(1) Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria adhere to the surface of the red cells.
(2) For ten months he adhered to a strict no-fat low-salt diet.
(3) She adheres to teaching methods she learned over 30 years ago.

(1) The cost of borrowing has been excluded from the inflation figures.
(2) Try excluding fat from your diet.
(3) Buses run every hour, Sundays excluded.

(1) nuclear missiles
(2) a missile base/site
(3) The authorities offered to stop firing missiles if the rebels agreed to stop attacking civilian targets.