(1) an independent nation
(2) the African nations
(3) The entire nation, it seemed, was watching TV.

(1) That new restaurant was a big disappointment.
(2) I always felt I was a disappointment to my father.
(3) a bitter/major disappointment

(1) beef/pork sausages
(2) 200g of garlic sausage
(3) ...sausages and chips.

(1) The children are already learning to multiply and divide.
(2) 2 multiplied by 4 is/equals/makes 8 (2×4 = 8) .
(3) multiply 2 and 6 together and you get 12.

(1) a tape/cassette/video/DVD recorder
(2) Rodney put the recorder on the desk top and pushed the play button.
(3) Data recorders also pinpoint mechanical faults rapidly, reducing repair times.

(1) She's always dieting but she never seems to lose any weight.
(2) dietary fibre
(3) to have a healthy, balanced diet

(1) to draw/sheathe a sword (= to take it out/put it into its cover)
(2) ...a candidate who's crossed swords with Labor by supporting the free-trade pact...
(3) The fiercest of rivals, the last time they crossed swords was during the 1980s.

(1) a tram route
(2) You can get to the beach easily from the centre of town by tram.
(3) Is riding the tram included in the admission fee?

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

(1) Christmas decorations
(2) a table decoration
(3) the elaborate decoration on the carved wooden door

(1) She is used to dealing with all kinds of people in her job.
(2) to deal with enquiries/issues/complaints
(3) Have you dealt with these letters yet?

(1) the planet earth
(2) the history of life on earth
(3) the earth's ozone layer

(1) how does it work?
(2) Suppose we meet somewhere for a drink? I'll pay. how's that?
(3) 'The fuel gauge is broken.' — 'Broken? how do you mean?'

(1) a needle and thread
(2) a robe embroidered with gold thread
(3) the delicate threads of a spider's web

(1) We got up at sunrise .
(2) the pinks and yellows of the sunrise
(3) The rain began before sunrise.

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

(1) They questioned the accuracy of the information in the file.
(2) She hits the ball with great accuracy.
(3) We cannot guarantee the accuracy of these figures.

(1) a packet of wild flower seeds
(2) sesame seeds
(3) Sow the seeds outdoors in spring.

(1) We'll get a breath of fresh air at lunchtime.
(2) Hold your breath and count to ten.
(3) His breath smelt of garlic.

(1) Doctors issued a warning against eating any fish caught in the river.
(2) to give sb fair/advance/adequate warning of sth
(3) The bridge collapsed without (any) warning .

(1) She rang the bell and waited.
(2) Have you been waiting long?
(3) I've been waiting (for) twenty minutes.

(1) a heavily loaded van
(2) The burden of guilt weighed heavily on his mind.
(3) He sighed heavily.

(1) to become addicted to drugs/gambling
(2) He's addicted to computer games.
(3) I went through about four years of being addicted to video games...

(1) an old pair of worn jeans
(2) The stone steps were worn and broken.
(3) She came out of the ordeal looking thin and worn.

(1) ...invite the children round to play...
(2) They played in the little garden...
(3) While the twins played cards, Francis sat reading...

(1) With (any) luck , we'll be home before dark.
(2) (British English) With a bit of luck , we'll finish on time.
(3) So far I have had no luck with finding a job.

(1) ...the low garden wall that separated the front garden from next door...
(2) She put it down on the low table...
(3) He bumped his head on the low beams...

(1) a family quarrel
(2) He did not mention the quarrel with his wife.
(3) They had a quarrel about money.

(1) butter, margarine, and oily fish are all good sources of vitamin D.
(2) Blend the butter with the sugar and beat until light and creamy.
(3) As a hangover from rationing, they mixed butter and margarine.

(1) a pig farmer
(2) pigs were grunting and squealing in the yard.
(3) Arrogant pig!

(1) international trade/law/sport
(2) an international airport/school/company
(3) international relations

(1) That's it. Mission accomplished (= we have done what we aimed to do) .
(2) The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished.
(3) I don't feel I've accomplished very much today.

(1) We took the children to the circus.
(2) A media circus surrounded the royal couple wherever they went.
(3) the American electoral circus

(1) a piece of information
(2) a source of information
(3) to collect/gather/obtain/receive information

(1) a tidy desk
(2) She keeps her flat very tidy .
(3) I like everything to be neat and tidy .

(1) He's trying to get a job .
(2) She took a job as a waitress.
(3) His brother's just lost his job .

(1) All rooms have hot and cold water.
(2) Be careful─the plates are hot.
(3) a hot dry summer

(1) a pyramid of cans in a shop window
(2) a management pyramid
(3) We set off to see the pyramids and Sphinx.

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

(1) The Qinghai - tibet Plateau is the world's highest plateau, averaging over 4000 metres above sea level and covering an area of 200,000 square kilometres.
(2) The Qinghai - tibet railway is nearly two thousand 13 kilometers in length.
(3) Study on Occupational Health Surveillance System Used during Construction of Qinghai - tibet Railway.