1. The birds build their nests in early September and begin to ........... their eggs two weeks later, always being on the lookout for predators.

2. The press speculated whether the new telecommunications company was going to .......... cables on the seabed to improve the existing system.

3. One of my responsibilities at home is to ......... the table in the evening.

(a)  

1. Marijuana is not regarded as a ......... drug. That's why some countries are thinking of letting people use it, at least for medical purposes.

2. It's ........... to believe that there are no good people out there. I'm sure you can find some good-natured individuals in this area.

3. I'm trying to spare you learning things the ........... way. Follow my advice and you don't need to make mistakes.

(a)  

1. It's madness going through the city centre when the traffic is ............ .

2. The rescue services had to use ......... equipment to get the injured people out of the car.

3. ........... drinking will invariably damage your liver and relationships with

other people.

(a)  

1. A huge bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates managed to .......... a smile to her so far sad face.

2. Drugs, alcohol, bad company and the like will always .......... out the worst in people.

3. It's ridiculous to think that black cats ........... bad luck. Don't be superstitious.

(a)  

1. From a very early age our parents try to ........... us to become law-abiding citizens.

2. Your demands will be met only on one ........... - you have to release the

hostages.

3. I can't give you much for your computer, son. It's in a very bad .............., I'm

afraid.

(a)  

1. We don't need any preferential treatment. All we want is a fair ........... of the whip.

2. His policy to ............. down on drug addicts hanging out near schools won him a lot of respect from the parents.

3. The bank boasts that with the latest technology it is impossible to ......... the code and all online transactions are safe.

(a)  

1. Carl and Mike are very good friends and it's not surprising. You know, birds of a flock .............. together.

2. She had to replace her ......... pillow with a synthetic one as it turned out she was allergic.

3. Winning the competition was another ............ in the cap of the athlete's

successful career.

(a)  

1. The British troops have encountered ........... resistance when entering the rebellious town. The insurgents were ready to die for their cause.

2. He was scared ........... of talking to his father about his plan to marry a woman 30 years his senior.

3. Beat the whites until ..........., add a teaspoon of sugar and mix well.

(a)  

1. The press wanted to know which players the coach was going to ........... in this important match.

2. Some instruments were giving wrong readings due to a strong magnetic ............. .

3. For a moment the shoplifter disappeared from the shop assistant's .............. of

vision.

(a)  

1. The drink can't be served to adolescents because it has a high alcohol .......... .

2. Certainly, the way she wrote the book is fresh and revolutionary, but the ............ is mediocre, to say the least.

3. Though life has been hard on George, he's finally found peace and is ............ with his life.

(a)  

1. The ............. of violent crime has decreased slightly in the first quarter of the year

due to new laws targeting young offenders.

2. A ........... of Shakespeare poems dating from 17th century went under the hammer last May.

3. Can you please turn the .......... down? The music is too loud in here.

(a)  

1. There was no going back. Finally, it occurred to them that they'd reached the ............ of no return.

2. She is a real glutton for punishment. She always works out to the .......... of total fatigue.

3. I'd like to ........... out that this theory lacks scientific evidence to support it.

(a)  

1. The party was in full ............. when a new wave of fun-loving teenagers hit the disco.

2. With a powerful ............... of the club he hit the ball and it landed near the

pond.

3. The presidential campaign has now focused on those ............. states that may

decide the results at the polls.

(a)  

1. He ............... trial and was later convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.

2. No amount of coercion could make him change his position. He ........... firm on his beliefs.

3. Once in the pub, he ............... him a beer and they started talking about their childhood years.

(a)  

1. The couple ............. up when she found out he'd been dating somebody behind her back.

2. I think we need ........... to the cost of food and transport between us. It's a fair deal.

3. Suddenly a loud sound was heard. Her big suitcase had .......... open and spilt its contents all over the place.

(a)  

1. The voters felt the elections were grossly rigged. Therefore, they ........... on the main square in the capital chanting angry slogans.

2. After the first two slow months, finally the campaign .............. momentum,

exceeding all expectations.

3. Roger knew he had to keep a cool head in this situation. So he ................ his thoughts and started considering all the options.

(a)  

1. Illegal work migrants are ............... into the country through the porous borders, stirring up outrage among right wing parties.

2. Those were the wild days. Alcohol was .............. freely and promiscuity was spreading everywhere.

3. It is suspected that chemical waste has been .............. into the river since the start of the factory's operation.

(a)  

1. When you put the items into the boxes, make sure you ............. them gently as they're extremely delicate.

2. The amount of paperwork I have to ............. at the office is enormous. Please somebody help me.

3. Loraine came up to the closed door. She pressed the ............... down, but the door refused to give up.

(a)  

1. The genocide couldn't be explained rationally and has been described as being motivated by ............. prejudice.

2. Jennifer's dazzling beauty always makes men .................. to her numerous quirks.

3. He slammed on the brakes bringing the car to a halt, realising he'd found himself in a .............. alley.

(a)