(1) the absence of any women on the board of directors
(2) The decision was made in my absence (= while I was not there) .
(3) We did not receive any news during his long absence.

(1) I wanted her and she was playing hard to get.
(2) California's been particularly hard hit by the recession.
(3) The talks had been hard going at the start.

(1) The room smelt damp.
(2) Dinner smells good.
(3) a bunch of sweet-smelling flowers

(1) The health and safety officer will guide you through the safety procedures.
(2) He was always guided by his religious beliefs.
(3) We were guided around the museums.

(1) fresh pineapple
(2) a tin of pineapple chunks
(3) pineapple juice

(1) You can have my ticket...
(2) When the police came, Larry had him by the ear and was beating his head against the pavement.
(3) The bridge is not as impressive as some guides would have you believe...

(1) cigarette smoke
(2) Clouds of thick black smoke billowed from the car's exhaust.
(3) Are you coming outside for a smoke?

(1) He looked at himself in the mirror over the table.
(2) ...a bridge over the river Danube.
(3) A grey mackintosh was folded over her arm...

(1) a research project
(2) a building project
(3) to set up a project to computerize the library system

(1) The actors inspired the kids with their enthusiasm.
(2) The actors' enthusiasm inspired the kids.
(3) His superb play inspired the team to a thrilling 5–0 win.

(1) He played a passive role in the relationship.
(2) a passive observer of events
(3) His passive attitude made things easier for me...

(1) The club has moved its meeting to Saturday, january 22nd.
(2) He arrived on january 9, disheveled and much the worse for wear.
(3) The company closed down operations and began liquidating its assets in january.

(1) a carpenter's bench
(2) a park bench
(3) His lawyer turned to address the bench.

(1) discounts on televisions, stereos and much more besides
(2) I don't really want to go. besides, it's too late now.
(3) I've got no family besides my parents.

(1) The water supply is unsafe.
(2) Supplies of food are almost exhausted.
(3) We cannot guarantee adequate supplies of raw materials.

(1) Your dishcloth can harbour many germs.
(2) She began to harbour doubts about the decision.
(3) The arsonist may harbour a grudge against the company.

(1) Let's go for a paddle.
(2) We paddled downstream for about a mile.
(3) We paddled the canoe along the coast.

(1) the kings and queens of England
(2) to be crowned king
(3) king George V

(1) a memorable phrase
(2) She was, in her own favourite phrase, ‘a woman without a past ’.
(3) a carefully phrased remark

(1) The population has increased from 1.2 million to 1.8 million.
(2) The rate of inflation increased by 2%.
(3) The price of oil increased.

(1) ...the world chess championships.
(2) When the glue layer thickness to a certain value, bond stretch will begin to decline.
(3) I can't beat him at Chinese chess.

(1) With your ear to a seashell?
(2) Now I'm looking for a starfish. And a seashell.
(3) Have you ever held a seashell to your ear and heard the roar of the ocean?

(1) She has been reliable and punctual.
(2) a punctual start at 9 o'clock
(3) They always pay punctually.

(1) a taxi driver/ride
(2) We'd better take a taxi .
(3) I came home by taxi .

(1) Turn to page 64.
(2) Someone has torn a page out of this book.
(3) a blank/new page

(1) A large package has arrived for you.
(2) Check the list of ingredients on the side of the package.
(3) a package of hamburger buns

(1) to resist change
(2) They are determined to resist pressure to change the law.
(3) The bank strongly resisted cutting interest rates.

(1) I'll write and apologize. I've had it on my conscience for weeks.
(2) We cannot in all conscience refuse to help.
(3) Emilia is the voice of conscience in the play.

(1) He's a leftover from the hippies in the 1960s.
(2) Use any leftover meat to make a curry.
(3) Refrigerate any leftovers...

(1) He has been given to believe that there may be a future for him and Maria together.
(2) For the first time in 12 years, the Democrats are giving as good as they get.
(3) I'd give anything to be like you.

(1) the planets of our solar system
(2) the planet Earth/Venus/Mars
(3) the battle to save the planet

(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) They keep chickens in the back yard.
(2) free-range chickens
(3) fried/roast chicken

(1) I prefer to work to a deadline .
(2) The deadline for applications is 30 April.
(3) the January 15 deadline set by the United Nations

(1) a slab/block of marble
(2) a marble floor/sculpture
(3) Three boys were playing marbles.

(1) The building was completely destroyed by fire.
(2) They've destroyed all the evidence.
(3) Heat gradually destroys vitamin C.

(1) The curriculum was too narrow and too rigid.
(2) His rigid adherence to the rules made him unpopular.
(3) rigid attitudes

(1) This latest evidence casts serious doubt on his version of events.
(2) The priceless treasures had been cast into the Nile.
(3) They cast anchor at nightfall.