(1) I'd like to know the reason why you're so late.
(2) We aren't going for the simple reason that we can't afford it.
(3) She gave no reasons for her decision.

(1) a positive attitude/outlook
(2) the power of positive thought
(3) She tried to be more positive about her new job.

(1) drugs that effectively modulate the disease process
(2) He carefully modulated his voice.
(3) These chemicals modulate the effect of potassium.

(1) The British government used its veto to block the proposal.
(2) to have the power/right of veto
(3) the use of the presidential veto

(1) She stood up and began to pace to and fro.
(2) The boat was rocking gently to and fro in the water.
(3) They travel to and fro between London and Paris.

(1) It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office.
(2) She had been offered a $50 000 bribe to drop the charges.
(3) They bribed the guards with cigarettes.

(1) Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs.
(2) persecuted minorities
(3) Why are the media persecuting him like this?

(1) an ocean liner
(2) a luxury cruise liner
(3) bin/nappy liners

(1) Tears help to protect the eye from potentially harmful foreign bodies.
(2) Dishonesty is foreign to his nature.
(3) a foreign correspondent (= one who reports on foreign countries in newspapers or on television)

(1) The British received the loudest cheer of the night, whilst the Italians were given the bird.
(2) Upon their arrival and whilst enjoying a drifting trip down a river, it began to rain.
(3) whilst I disagree with you on this matter, I respect your choice.

(1) The tomatoes give extra flavour to the sauce.
(2) It is stronger in flavour than other Dutch cheeses.
(3) This yogurt comes in ten different flavours.

(1) metallic paint/colours/blue
(2) a metallic taste
(3) a metallic sound/click

(1) a luxurious hotel
(2) luxurious surroundings
(3) luxuriously comfortable

(1) She has six previous convictions for theft.
(2) He plans to appeal against his conviction.
(3) an offence which carries, on conviction, a sentence of not more than five years' imprisonment

(1) She implored him to stay.
(2) ‘Help me, ’ he implored.
(3) Tell me it's true. I implore you.

(1) We always eat turkey on thanksgiving.
(2) Are you going home for thanksgiving?
(3) The Prince's unexpected recovery was celebrated with a thanksgiving service in St Paul's.

(1) a papal bull
(2) That's a load of bull!
(3) a bull neck (= a short thick neck like a bull's )

(1) the front/rear axle
(2) A wheel with eccentrical axle is installed to rotor of said small motor.
(3) How did you like my double axle?

(1) the geology of the British Isles
(2) a geological survey
(3) He was visiting professor of geology at the University of Jordan.

(1) She made no response.
(2) In response to your inquiry…
(3) I received an encouraging response to my advertisement.

(1) The president was overthrown in a military coup.
(2) That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.
(3) ...an attempt to overthrow the president.

(1) the multiplication sign (×)
(2) multiplication of cells leads to rapid growth of the organism.
(3) There will be simple tests in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

(1) The cost was negligible.
(2) a negligible amount
(3) The pay that the soldiers received was negligible...

(1) The pamphlet has been given to his pen.
(2) This pamphlet is respectfully devoted to all thosemade contributions to Shanghai Law Society.
(3) Feliks looked up from Kropotkin's pamphlet.

(1) the dome of St Paul's Cathedral
(2) his bald dome of a head
(3) the Houston Astrodome

(1) political/economic/social stability
(2) the stability of the dollar on the world's money markets
(3) Being back with their family should provide emotional stability for the children.

(1) I've been sneezing all morning.
(2) In those days, $20 was not a sum to be sneezed at.
(3) coughs and sneezes

(1) It's a pity our trips to New York don't coincide.
(2) The strike was timed to coincide with the party conference.
(3) The interests of employers and employees do not always coincide.

(1) quantitative analysis/research
(2) There is no difference between the two in quantitative terms.
(3) ...the advantages of quantitative and qualitative research.

(1) a decisive factor/victory/battle
(2) She has played a decisive role in the peace negotiations.
(3) a decisive step (= an important action that will change a situation) towards a cleaner environment

(1) sensitivity to the needs of children
(2) She pointed out with tact and sensitivity exactly where he had gone wrong.
(3) She played with great sensitivity.

(1) You look very smart in that suit.
(2) They were wearing their smartest clothes.
(3) She's smarter than her brother.

(1) A construction theorem for semigroup is obtained.
(2) Yet experimental design, like proving a theorem, is a highly rational procedure.
(3) A new traitor tracing scheme based on NTRU cryptosystem and Chinese remainder theorem is proposed.

(1) a drainage system/channel/ditch
(2) The area has good natural drainage.
(3) Line the pots with pebbles to ensure good drainage...

(1) a commission on human rights
(2) the European commission
(3) You get a 10% commission on everything you sell.

(1) The door had been pulled off its hinges.
(2) a hinged door/lid
(3) Everything hinges on the outcome of these talks.

(1) He was involved in oil, zinc and lead prospecting.
(2) Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
(3) the fusion of copper and zinc to produce brass

(1) [不可数名词]She laughed to cover up her feeling of awkwardness.
(2) Have I come at an awkward time?
(3) This box is very awkward for one person to carry.

(1) a unanimous vote
(2) unanimous support
(3) The decision was not unanimous.

(1) Give her a big round of applause !
(2) The audience broke into rapturous applause.
(3) ...a round of applause.