Trios

For each set of three sentences, think of ONE word that can be used appropriately for all three sentences.

Trio #1
1. He was afraid that his revolutionary proposals would ___________ with strong opposition from hardliners.
2. The Chinese factories were operating non stop churning out shoes to ___________ the demand in Europe and the US.
3. With only 200 dollars a month, the family struggled to make ends ___________ .

Trio #2
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.

Trio #3
1. It's irritating that they do nothing but ___________ lies about our family. The whole village is about to believe their incredible stories.
2. Don't allow the educational system to restrict your thinking abilities. I urge you to ___________ your wings and do things your way.
3. He opened the jar, took out some jam with his knife and ___________ it evenly on the warm toast.

Trio #4
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.

Trio #5
1. The latest ___________ in The New York Times was not favourable. He felt the morac was underrated.
2. At the end of your first year at work we will ___________ your salary and give you a company car.
3. The reclusive dictator showed up at a military parade to ___________ his troops and show his defiant opponents he was still in power.

Trio #6
1. Blankets and shelters were in ___________ supply in the aftermath of the disaster.
2. Nobody in this business knew his real name. He was called Bill for ___________ .
3. She reacted angrily when her name hadn't been included on the ___________ list.

Trio #7
1. Though the movie was widely ___________ across the country, the sales were a disappointment for the studio.
2. For a woman to get ___________ in the business world seems to be a tall order in a predominantly male environment.
3. This web site was shut down soon after the Internet provider realized it ___________ extreme views inciting violence.

Trio #8
1. Holmes immediately spotted two ___________ marks on the neck of the victim which he thought might have been left by a snake of some kind.
2. Don't ___________ the hand that feeds you. It was me who got you promoted and now, Ron, you're plotting behind my back. Shame on you!
3. 'Fred, can I have some of your apple?' 'Sure. Have a ___________ .

Trio #9
1. I'm absolutely ___________ the horse will win the race. There's no doubt about it.
2. It came as a shock to her husband when she tested ___________ for a sexually transmitted disease.
3. The guru stresses the power of ___________ thinking in his lectures, saying it helps to overcome problems and reduce strain.

Trio #10
1. It was one of the gang's members that ___________ the agent's cover as he'd seen him in uniform before.
2. Feeling tired, Lind put away the book, ___________ out the candle and went to sleep.
3. Separatists ___________ up several bridges in the province sending a violent message to the capital.

Do you remember the answers to these from when we did them in class? There is no need to give your answers in your comment!

For your comments below: Can you design three Trios puzzles of your own (three of them should amount to around 150 words, right? Add a fourth sentence if they don't reach 150 words... "Quartets"). If the same words are used in different ways, that would be perfect. Don't forget to leave a blank where the words will fit! And don't tell us the answers!