(1) The letter came a few days ago.
(2) She was here just a minute ago.
(3) a short/long time ago

(1) Did you hear that play on the radio last night?
(2) She has been heard to make threats to her former lover.
(3) Didn't you hear what I said?

(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) He argues strongly for retention of NATO as a guarantee of peace.
(2) They feel strongly that their religion is incompatible with the political system.
(3) He responded very strongly to the aesthetic of this particular work.

(1) According to observers, the plane exploded shortly after take-off.
(2) To the casual observer (= somebody who does not pay much attention) , the system appears confusing.
(3) A team of British officials were sent as observers to the conference.

(1) I screamed and everyone stared.
(2) I stared blankly at the paper in front of me.
(3) He sat staring into space (= looking at nothing) .

(1) a leg of lamb
(2) lamb chops
(3) You poor lamb!

(1) She fought like a tiger to be able to keep her children.
(2) The tiger in the cage gave a thrilling cry.
(3) The tiger prowled through the jungle.

(1) It is about 76 kilos in weight .
(2) Bananas are sold by weight.
(3) In the wild, this fish can reach a weight of 5lbs.

(1) The first edition was published in 2002.
(2) He works for a company that publishes reference books.
(3) Most of our titles are also published on CD-ROM.

(1) These paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection.
(2) Neutrons and protons are bound together in the nucleus of an atom.
(3) The Civic Movement could be the nucleus of a centrist party of the future.

(1) I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy.
(2) The moment I saw her, I realized something was wrong.
(3) I don't think you realize how important this is to her.

(1) Sheila will inherit everything in the event of his death.
(2) In that event, we will have to reconsider our offer.
(3) In the event of an accident, call this number.

(1) I only saw her once during my stay in Rome.
(2) Please remain seated during the performance.
(3) He was taken to the hospital during the night.

(1) population density
(2) low density forest
(3) the density of a gas

(1) in the year 1865
(2) I lost my job earlier this year.
(3) Elections take place every year.

(1) Do you have any plans for the summer?
(2) There are no plans to build new offices.
(3) Your best plan (= the best thing to do) would be to go by car.

(1) The father bear said, " Who has eaten some of my porridge? "
(2) Mother has always loved thick porridge.
(3) During the day, he did odd jobs that were just enough to buy porridge.

(1) a walking/sightseeing, etc. tour
(2) a coach tour of northern France
(3) a tour operator (= a person or company that organizes tours)

(1) The organization distributed food to the earthquake victims.
(2) The newspaper is distributed free.
(3) The money was distributed among schools in the area.

(1) poor/dry/acid/sandy/fertile, etc. soil
(2) the study of rocks and soils
(3) soil erosion

(1) They were asked to behave with the gravity that was appropriate in a court of law.
(2) Punishment varies according to the gravity of the offence.
(3) I don't think you realise the gravity of the situation.

(1) emotionally damaged children
(2) The allegations are likely to damage his political career.
(3) Smoking seriously damages your health.

(1) As I turned around, I accidentally hit him in the face.
(2) The damage couldn't have been caused accidentally.
(3) a verdict of accidental death

(1) written in ink
(2) a pen and ink drawing
(3) different coloured inks

(1) the conservative views of his parents
(2) Her style of dress was never conservative.
(3) conservative members/supporters

(1) to have good/perfect/poor/blurred/normal vision
(2) 20–20 vision (= the ability to see perfectly)
(3) Cats have good night vision .

(1) I could hear voices in the next room.
(2) to speak in a deep/soft/loud/quiet, etc. voice
(3) ‘I promise, ’ she said in a small voice (= a quiet, shy voice) .

(1) "Tired and emotional" is a code word for being drunk.
(2) How much emotional baggage is he bringing with him into the relationship?
(3) The emotional wounds of early childhood leave ineradicable scars.

(1) to submit an application/a claim/a complaint
(2) Completed projects must be submitted by 10 March.
(3) She refused to submit to threats.

(1) a sore throat
(2) A sob caught in his throat.
(3) He held the knife to her throat.

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

(1) There's not an ounce of truth in her story.
(2) ...four ounces of sugar.
(3) If only my father had possessed an ounce of business sense...

(1) a terrorist cell
(2) a photoelectric cell
(3) blood cells

(1) the Roman empire
(2) a business empire
(3) ...the Roman empire.

(1) Attempts to find a solution have failed.
(2) There's no simple solution to this problem.
(3) Do you have a better solution?

(1) The number of people employed in agriculture has fallen in the last decade.
(2) agricultural policy/land/production/development
(3) The Ukraine is strong both in industry and agriculture.

(1) body fluids (= for example, blood)
(2) The doctor told him to drink plenty of fluids.
(3) cleaning fluid

(1) He defeated the champion in three sets.
(2) a defeated army
(3) The instruction manual completely defeated me.

(1) We should be there by noon.
(2) The conference opens at 12 noon on Saturday.
(3) the noon deadline for the end of hostilities