1.2.9. Noun Substitution: Synonyms. Varying synonyms we slightly change the entire meaning. Substitute the italicized nouns by their synonyms choosing them from the given hints.

1. Lack of money is the generally held explanation of business failure.

shortage (of)

funds

clarification, simplification, description

lack of success in commerce, non-success in trade

2. Ongoing professional training implies permanent assessment of one’s achievements.

instruction, tuition, education

evaluation, rating, estimation

attainments, accomplishments

3. In the circumstances it looks impossible.

in the situation, in the present conditions, in the state of things, in the state of affairs (formal)

4. Nobody was brave or stupid enough to raise the subject of merging with another of the high street banks. That might sound quite an assertion.

issue, question, topic

declaration, contention (formal)

5. Just for curiosity, Jess turned her head and looked at the picture.

inquisitiveness, (just) out of interest, (just) because of her own inherent nosiness (informal); painting, drawing, sketch, oil painting, watercolor, print, canvas

6. The journalist’s main contention is that lawyers’ priority implies protecting the rights of law-abiding people in the first place.

reporter’s, correspondent’s, newsman’s/newswoman’s, columnist’s, reviewer’s

argument, claim, stand, position

prime concern, first concern, most important consideration, most pressing matter, matter of great important, primary issue

well-behaved, lawful, righteous [raıt∫əs], honest

persons, individuals, humans, citizens, subjects, electors, taxpayers, residents, (general) public, public at large

first of all

7. The ultimate test for determining the success of a system is its practical results.

eventual, final, concluding, furthest

trial, experiment, pilot study, try-out, check, examination, assessment, evaluation, probe, screen, assay (technical, testing a substance)

favorable outcome, positive result

structure, organization, method, methodology, technique (but not methodicalness – working style)

empirical, hands-on, pragmatic, real, actual, applied, experiential, experimental

outcome, consequence, out-turn, product, fruit

8. Much of public speech is characterized by the use of empty phrases incompatible with realities of everyday life.

marked, identified, specified

mention, involvement

unsuited to, inconsistent with, at odds with, out of keeping with, different to, differing from

actuality, truth

9. In my opinion, there is too much emphasis on the secondary problem.

as I see it, in my view, to my mind, according to my way of thinking, from my standpoint, personally, in my estimation, in my judgment, if you ask me

prominence to, importance to, significance to, stress on, weight to, attention to

subordinate, minor, peripheral, lower, lower-level, marginal

10 The legitimate rights of people to personal safety are to be a matter of prime concern for the state.

welfare, well-being, protection, security

priority, primary issue

11. Beautiful sounding phrases or expressions are often used in the formulation of basic social principles.

phrases or expressions that seem beautiful

12. Standard incantations are continually resounding in the media.

repeated words (statements, descriptions), resounding words (statements, descriptions), spells

being mentioned and talked about a lot

13. Certain arguments are difficult to counter.

some contentions, particular lines of reasoning

answer, respond to, parry, hit back at

14. What is happening to human rights under the new dispensation?

administration