(1) We waited three months before going back to see the specialist.
(2) Sir , these aspersions are , in truth, always idle, and even mischievous.
(3) I intend to amortize the total cost of the car over three years.

(1) She comes of a very good family.
(2) Some good might come of all this gloomy business...
(3) There is a feeling of power that comes from driving fast...

(1) the flu virus
(2) a virus infection
(3) There's a virus going around the office.

(1) In the course of time , this kind of lantern has become an exclusive of the Shens.
(2) Chen Xiang: Mom, How this could be a magic lantern?
(3) The Spring Festival lasts till the 15 th of the first lunar month, or the lantern Festival.

(1) quite big/good/cold/warm/interesting
(2) He plays quite well.
(3) I quite like opera.

(1) A matter of repeated occurrence like this will not astonish people.
(2) My news will astonish you.
(3) He purposed to both charm and astonish me by his appearance.

(1) an Olympic gold medal winner
(2) an Olympic gold medallist
(3) Winning the gold medal was a feather in his cap.

(1) a document wallet
(2) He had left his wallet on the table, so I went after him.
(3) Hey, you dropped your wallet.

(1) a dive to a depth of 18 metres
(2) The goalkeeper made a dive for the ball.
(3) Profits really took a dive last year.

(1) The campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the issues.
(2) Levels of waste from the factory may be a danger to public health.
(3) Why would the closure of hospitals be in the public interest (= useful to ordinary people) ?

(1) He spent many hours in Paris libraries studying botany, applied science and many other subjects.
(2) botany, zoology, biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, genetics, fermentation engineering.
(3) In this same leisurely manner I studied zo? logy and botany.

(1) regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages
(2) I haven't made a sale all week.
(3) She gets 10% commission on each sale.

(1) He is receiving treatment for shock.
(2) She is responding well to treatment .
(3) to require hospital/medical treatment

(1) Most of the landscape in the Fens is as flat as a pancake.
(2) Do you like to eat pancake?
(3) Also, it can operate in confined spaces and make a delicious Japanese pancake.

(1) a soup spoon
(2) a wooden spoon
(3) She spooned the sauce over the chicken pieces.

(1) He discovered, on closer inspection, that the rocks contained gold...
(2) Both nations are seeking closer links with the West...
(3) He lived alone, keeping close contact with his three grown-up sons.

(1) The primary aim of this course is to improve your spoken English.
(2) Our primary concern must be the children.
(3) Good health care is of primary importance.

(1) My mother taught me how to sew.
(2) to sew by hand/machine
(3) to sew a seam

(1) They seemed to be enjoying themselves.
(2) The children were arguing amongst themselves.
(3) They've bought themselves a new car.

(1) a medium-size car/business/town
(2) a man of medium height/build
(3) There are three sizes─small, medium and large.

(1) The firm has excellent customer relations.
(2) an awkward customer
(3) the customer service department

(1) the party's elder statesman
(2) Hamilton is a great statesman and political thinker.
(3) Derek Fisher is the elder statesman of the team, drafted in 1996 by the Lakers.

(1) We're living apart now.
(2) Over the years, Rosie and I had drifted apart.
(3) She keeps herself apart from other people.

(1) Marriages usually break down as a result of the shortcomings of both partners...
(2) His book has its shortcomings.
(3) The importance advantages and shortcoming of the orimulsion imported from Venezula are analyzed in the paper.

(1) These jeans need washing.
(2) to wash the car
(3) to wash your hands

(1) a wide river
(2) Sam has a wide mouth.
(3) a jacket with wide lapels

(1) eastern Spain
(2) eastern Europe
(3) the eastern slopes of the mountain

(1) I'm older than her.
(2) There was more whisky in it than soda.
(3) He loves me more than you do.

(1) a highly subjective point of view
(2) Everyone's opinion is bound to be subjective.
(3) People who are less subjectively involved are better judges.

(1) The male bird is easily distinguishable from the female.
(2) The coast was barely distinguishable in the mist.
(3) She has already distinguished herself as an athlete.

(1) He was looking straight ahead (= straight forward, in front of him) .
(2) The party was planned weeks ahead.
(3) Our team was ahead by six points.

(1) The movie will be released on video in June.
(2) Do we have a blank video ?
(3) a video of ‘ET ’

(1) It was by far the worst speech he had ever made.
(2) What's the worst thing that could happen?
(3) What she said confirmed my worst fears (= proved they were right) .

(1) lemon tea
(2) a gin and tonic with ice and lemon
(3) Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fish.

(1) Stop shouting and listen!
(2) I shouted for help but nobody came.
(3) She shouted at him to shut the gate.

(1) Come to the New Year disco and bring your partner!
(2) a marriage partner
(3) a partner in a law firm

(1) a freeway exit
(2) an accident on the freeway
(3) The speed limit on the freeway is 55mph.

(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) (North Amercian English) lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state.
(2) a flash of lightning
(3) a violent storm with thunder and lightning

(1) (British English)a jam doughnut
(2) strawberry jam
(3) recipes for jams and preserves