(1) I've come to the conclusion that he's not the right person for the job.
(2) It took the jury some time to reach the conclusion that she was guilty.
(3) New evidence might lead to the conclusion that we are wrong.

(1) a horse and cart
(2) a shopping/baggage cart
(3) a serving cart

(1) a silver chain
(2) made of solid silver
(3) a silver mine

(1) a pleasant working/learning environment
(2) An unhappy home environment can affect a child's behaviour.
(3) They have created an environment in which productivity should flourish.

(1) a rubbish bag/bin
(2) a rubbish dump/heap/tip
(3) The streets were littered with rubbish.

(1) He led a life of virtue.
(2) She was certainly no paragon of virtue !
(3) Patience is not one of her virtues, I'm afraid.

(1) She greeted him civilly but with no sign of affection.
(2) a civil marriage ceremony
(3) a civil court

(1) Certain courses are compulsory, others are optional.
(2) This model comes with a number of optional extras (= things you can choose to have but which you will have to pay extra for) .
(3) A holiday isn't an optional extra. In this stressful, frantic world it's a must...

(1) prompt action was required as the fire spread.
(2) prompt payment of the invoice would be appreciated.
(3) Please be prompt when attending these meetings.

(1) You'll mend. The X-rays show that your arm will heal all right.
(2) The wounds may heal cleanly or they may ooze a clear liquid.
(3) Minor cuts and grazes can usually be left uncovered to heal by themselves.

(1) The number of prisoners serving life sentences has fallen.
(2) They are demanding the release of all political prisoners .
(3) He was taken prisoner by rebel soldiers.

(1) The college principal promised to look into the matter.
(2) ‘promise not to tell anyone! ’ ‘I promise. ’
(3) They arrived at 7.30 as they had promised .

(1) somebody should have told me.
(2) She thinks she's really somebody in that car.
(3) Washing wool in hot water will shrink it.

(1) a local farmer
(2) A local man was accused of the murder.
(3) Our children go to the local school.

(1) Weiner works for the US Department of Transport...
(2) I started working in a recording studio...
(3) Fewer and fewer people are in work...

(1) The rope broke and she fell 50 metres onto the rocks.
(2) We tied his hands together with rope.
(3) The anchor was attached to a length of rope.

(1) oceania is mainly made up of Australia and New Zealand.
(2) ' oceania,'tis for thee'gave way to lighter music.
(3) And oceania has always been at war with Eastasia, has it not?'

(1) a training scheme
(2) a local scheme for recycling newspapers
(3) to introduce/operate a scheme to improve links between schools and industry

(1) simply add hot water and stir.
(2) The runway is simply a strip of grass.
(3) Fame is often simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

(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) roast/minced beef
(2) beef and dairy cattle
(3) What's his latest beef?

(1) Is this milk fresh?
(2) fresh bread/flowers
(3) Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

(1) Some mushrooms contain a deadly poison.
(2) How did he die? Was it poison?
(3) The dog was killed by rat poison (= poison intended to kill rats ) .

(1) Cook over a gentle heat.
(2) We went for a gentle stroll.
(3) a little gentle exercise

(1) His face was reflected in the mirror.
(2) She could see herself reflected in his eyes.
(3) The windows reflected the bright afternoon sunlight.

(1) to eat healthily
(2) a healthy bank balance
(3) a healthy profit

(1) Their relationship was tolerated but not encouraged.
(2) This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.
(3) She refused to tolerate being called a liar.

(1) It comforted her to feel his arms around her.
(2) She comforted herself with the thought that it would soon be spring.
(3) The victim's widow was today being comforted by family and friends.

(1) Have you had an answer to your letter?
(2) As if in answer to our prayers, she offered to lend us £10 000.
(3) I rang the bell, but there was no answer.

(1) national and local newspapers
(2) national and international news
(3) national and regional politics

(1) She had loved him at a distance for years.
(2) The coldness and distance in her voice took me by surprise.
(3) distance is no problem on the Internet.

(1) I didn't think to vex you by such a trifle.
(2) I wouldn't vex my darling, for the wide world's riches.
(3) His silly chatter would vex a saint.

(1) She was brought up very strictly.
(2) The industry is strictly regulated.
(3) Smoking is strictly forbidden.

(1) As she passed the library door, the telephone began to ring...
(2) Jane stood aside to let her pass...
(3) He passed through the doorway into Ward B...

(1) The president proclaimed a state of emergency.
(2) The charter proclaimed that all states would have their own government.
(3) He proclaimed himself emperor.

(1) a daily/weekly newspaper
(2) a local/national newspaper
(3) a newspaper article

(1) I waited for them at the bottom of the hill.
(2) The book I want is right at the bottom (= of the pile) .
(3) The manufacturer's name is on the bottom of the plate.

(1) She knew that the girls used to imitate her and laugh at her behind her back.
(2) No computer can imitate the complex functions of the human brain.
(3) Teachers provide a model for children to imitate.

(1) ...a book that takes on the feel of an epic.
(2) I felt for my wallet and papers in my inside pocket...
(3) She felt something being pressed into her hands...

(1) I went home directly I had finished work.
(2) He drove her directly to her hotel.
(3) She looked directly at us.