(1) We feared that an advance on the capital would soon follow.
(2) recent advances in medical science
(3) We live in an age of rapid technological advance.

(1) The baby is just learning to walk.
(2) ‘How did you get here? ’ ‘I walked. ’
(3) He walked slowly away from her.

(1) They've been best mates since school.
(2) I was with a mate.
(3) Sorry mate, you'll have to wait.

(1) a nylon fishing line
(2) This material is 45% nylon.
(3) Europe's largest producer of nylon is based in Belgium...

(1) They have arrested a number of leading opposition politicians.
(2) That politician is always triming.
(3) The politician defected from his own party and joined the opposition.

(1) the discharge of debts/obligations
(2) nasal/vaginal discharge (= from the nose/vagina )
(3) thunder and lightning caused by electrical discharges

(1) to play tennis
(2) a tennis player/tournament/club/court
(3) He made a monkey of me on the tennis court.

(1) The boys were getting bored...
(2) There's no point in getting upset...
(3) Half the pleasure of an evening out is getting ready...

(1) a small house/town/car/man
(2) A much smaller number of students passed than I had expected.
(3) They're having a relatively small wedding.

(1) French literature
(2) great works of literature
(3) I've read all the available literature on keeping rabbits.

(1) Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans.
(2) He's building me up too much — I may disappoint him.
(3) I'm sorry to disappoint your hope.

(1) After a while I pulled myself to my feet and found my way to the street.
(2) It is one of the very few Michelangelos that have found their way out of Italy...
(3) The most unlikely objects found their way into his design and look absolutely right where he placed them.

(1) bitterly disappointed/ashamed
(2) She wept bitterly.
(3) They complained bitterly.

(1) The nurse applied pressure to his arm to stop the bleeding.
(2) The barriers gave way under the pressure of the crowd.
(3) air/water pressure

(1) a tent pole
(2) a ski pole
(3) a curtain pole

(1) Two plus five is seven.
(2) The cost is £22, plus £1 for postage.
(3) We have to fit five of us plus all our gear in the car.

(1) (British English)a rent book (= used to record payments of rent)
(2) How much rent do you pay for this place?
(3) The landlord has put the rent up again.

(1) vacant properties
(2) The seat next to him was vacant.
(3) (especially North American English)a vacant lot (= a piece of land in a city that is not being used)

(1) He has been awarded a research grant.
(2) student grants (= to pay for their education)
(3) We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted.

(1) You're not blowing hard enough!
(2) The team struck a blow for women's rights by winning the match.
(3) The car tyre blew.

(1) a map and compass
(2) the points of the compass (= N, S, E, W, etc.)
(3) a pair of compasses

(1) Starting salary varies from £26 000 to £30 500, depending on experience.
(2) He either resigned or was sacked, depending on who you talk to.
(3) ‘Is he coming? ’ ‘That depends. He may not have the time. ’

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

(1) an eye exam
(2) (North Amercian English)She did well on her exams .
(3) (British English)She did well in her exams .

(1) to jump into the air/over a wall/into the water
(2) ‘Quick, jump! ’ he shouted.
(3) The children were jumping up and down with excitement.

(1) to start/spread a rumour
(2) There are widespread rumours of job losses.
(3) Some malicious rumours are circulating about his past.

(1) They swore their loyalty to the king.
(2) Can I count on your loyalty?
(3) a case of divided loyalties (= with strong feelings of support for two different causes, people, etc.)

(1) a collection of paintings by American artists
(2) cave paintings
(3) Her hobbies include music and painting.

(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) She conveniently forgot to mention that her husband would be at the party, too (= because it suited her not to say) .
(2) Fruit is a convenient source of vitamins and energy.
(3) A bicycle is often more convenient than a car in towns.

(1) The artist is making sketches for his next painting.
(2) She drew a sketch map of the area to show us the way.
(3) The drama group did a sketch about a couple buying a new car.

(1) He died in mysterious circumstances.
(2) A mysterious illness is affecting all the animals.
(3) A mysterious young woman is living next door.

(1) I took a coin out of my purse and gave it to the child.
(2) We have holidays to suit every purse.
(3) Should spending on the arts be met out of the public purse (= from government money) ?

(1) sometimes I go by car.
(2) He sometimes writes to me.
(3) I like to be on my own sometimes.

(1) The committee unanimously approved the plan.
(2) The course is approved by the Department for Education.
(3) She doesn't approve of me leaving school this year.

(1) the interior of a building/a car
(2) an expedition into the interior of Australia
(3) the Department/Minister of the interior

(1) The workmen sawed and hammered all day.
(2) He accidentally sawed through a cable.
(3) She sawed the plank in half.

(1) a school/medical/history, etc. textbook
(2) a textbook example of how the game should be played
(3) She wrote a textbook on international law.

(1) Roland Nilsson last night backed Sheffield wednesday to win the UEFA Cup.
(2) Meanwhile the race is on to resurface the road before next wednesday.
(3) Steve had told her that he'dbeen in an accident on wednesday night.

(1) She sent her provisional licence with the test certificate to have it upgraded to a full licence.
(2) Italian plum tomatoes have a full flavour, and are best for cooking.
(3) The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a fuller figure.