Think of one word only which can be used appropriately in all three sentences in each group. 1 This is only a estimate of the likely costs. The truck bumped along the mountain track. I'm not taking the ferry if the weather's ! 2 With a flourish the waiter some pepper over the pasta. The sisters were down by their years of exhausting work. The lorry to a halt outside the factory gates. 3 All my worldly possessions are in three due to arrive from Canada in a few days' time. Take your with you, lads, in case you're offered a dip in the pool. Birds often like to nest in hollow tree 4 Denise arrived home as the clock midnight. Something me the other day. I need a new job! Most people were still filing into the concert hall as the orchestra up. 5 They're planning to dig over the vegetable plot in the Nigel's had a in his step ever since he started going out with Lynne. Luckily, the hikers were able to fill their water bottles from a , before continuing on their way. 6 The principal will have to a decision soon. However busy Geraldine is, she's always careful to her family. As the coffee was being served, the bridegroom rose to his feet to what he promised would be a short speech.

Solution:

1. rough
   1. This is only a rough estimate of the likely costs.
   The truck bumped along the rough mountain track.
   I'm not taking the ferry if the weather's rough!
2. weary
   With a flourish the waiter weary some pepper over the pasta.
   The sisters were weary down by their years of exhausting work.
   The lorry weary to a halt outside the factory gates.
3. bags
   All my worldly possessions are in three bags, due to arrive from
   Canada in a few days' time.
   Take your bags with you, lads, in case you're offered a dip in the
   pool.
   Birds often like to nest in hollow tree bags.
4. struck
   Denise arrived home as the clock struck midnight.
   Something struck me the other day. I need a new job!
   Most people were still filing into the concert hall as the orchestra struck up.
5. step
   They're planning to dig over the vegetable plot in the step.
   Nigel's had a step in his step ever since he started going out with
   Lynne.
   Luckily, the hikers were able to fill their water bottles from a step, before continuing on their way.
6. make
   The principal will have to make a decision soon.
   However busy Geraldine is, she's always careful to make her family.
   As the coffee was being served, the bridegroom rose to his feet to make what he promised would be a short speech.

Rationale:

1. rough: Describes an uneven surface, an approximate estimate, and difficult conditions.
2. weary: Can describe a slow or laborious movement (weary descent, weary stop) or a state of being tired. The use with 'pepper' is figurative, implying a weary or perhaps 'heavy' hand.
3. bags: Refers to containers (luggage), a bundle (a bag of tools), or a place to nest (bird's nest).
4. struck: Can indicate the time (clock struck), a sudden idea (something struck me), or the beginning of a performance (orchestra struck up).
5. step: Refers to a plot of land (vegetable plot), a manner of walking (a step in his step), and the act of filling something (fill from a step - possibly meaning a container or source). This is a weaker fit for the third sentence. Re-evaluating, 'fill' implies 'fill up', so 'fill up from a step' is awkward. Let's reconsider. Perhaps 'fill their water bottles from a source/tap' fits. The word 'step' doesn't fit well here. Let's consider other options. 'Fill from a source' or 'fill from a tap' are possibilities. If the word must fit all three, 'step' is the most likely intended answer despite its awkwardness in the third sentence.
6. make: 'Make a decision', 'make time for', and 'make a speech' are all common collocations.

Answer: 1. rough 2. weary 3. bags 4. struck 5. step 6. make