9 ．chance / opportunity
chance：机会 用作可数名词，是普通用语，尤以指一种侥幸的或偶然的机会 ；可能性 用作不可数名词，相当于possibility 。
例433：We were offered another chance 。我们得到了另一个机会
例434：He has long hoped for a chance of success 。他一直希望有一个成功的机会。
例435：There is no chance that he failed to come 他不可能来不了。
opportunity：指良好的“机会，机遇，时机”。
例436：I am glad to have this opportunity of speaking to you alone .很高兴有机会和你单独谈谈。
例437：China has the opportunity to host the two thousand and eight Olympics .中国有机会主办二零零八年奥运会。
10 ．clothes / clothing / cloth
clothes：衣服。是名词复数，不直接与数词连用。
例438：Most of her clothes were made by herself .她的衣服大多是自己做的
例439：I need to go and buy some new clothes .我要去买些新衣服
clothing：衣物。是总称，没有复数形式。指一件衣服用 a piece of clothing an article of clothing
例440：The flooded areas are now in great need of food and clothing .水灾地区现在急需食物和衣物。
例441：Remember to buy an article of new clothing before you go for a job interview .去工作面试时记得买一件新衣服穿。
cloth：布料。是物质名词，不可数名词。
例442：Clothes made of this kind of cloth are invisible to anyone who is unfit for his office .这种布料制成的衣服，不称职者看不见。
11 ．country / nation / state
country：国家。着重指疆土、国土和家园。the country=the countryside乡村，农村。
例443：China is a great country with a long history. 中国是一个历史悠久的伟大国家。
例444：France and Germany are European countries .法国和德国是欧洲国家
例445：He is content to live in the country/countryside ． 他满足于住在乡下。
nation：国家，民族。着重指民族和国民，常带感情色彩。在国际交往等正式场合，nation语体庄重，比country常用。
例446：The Chinese nation is a great one .中华民族是伟大的民族
例447：The president spoke on TV to the nation .总统在电视上对全国讲话
例448：The whole nation was in deep sorrow at this news 得知这个消息，整个国家都沉浸在悲痛之中。
例449：Trade between nations is much better than war 国与国之间进行贸易往来比兵戎相见好得多。
state：国家，政府。着重指政权和国家机关。
例450：Railways in China belong to the state 在中国，铁路归国家所有。
例451：All the natural resources are managed by the state .所有的自然资源都由国家管理。
12 ．day after day / day by day
day after day：日复一日。强调反复 周而复始。该短语可作主语和状语。
例452：Everything stays the same day after day .一切都保持不变日复一日
例453：Day after day went by and still no message arrived .日子一天天过去，仍然杳无音讯。
day by day：一天天。强调逐渐变化。该短语只能作状语。
例454：Our living conditions are improving day by day 。我们的生活条件日益改善
13 ．environment / surroundings
environment：环境，可指自然环境也可指人文环境，多指给人思想、感情等造成影响的事物或情况。
例455：He told a story of man’s struggle with his environment 。他讲了一个人类与环境抗争的故事。
例456：It’s not a very safe environment for children there 。那里对孩子们来说不是一个非常安全的环境
surroundings：环境，多指自然环境。
例457：The guest house stands in beautiful surroundings 。宾馆坐落在美丽的环境中
14 ．family / home / house
family：家，家庭，家里人。指家庭成员结构。
例458：The family is large and the whole family are now watching TV .这个家庭很大，现在全家人都在看电视
例459：He has a family of three .他有一个三口之家
例460：He has a large family to support 他要养活一大家子。
home：家，家园。指出生及日常生活的那种环境。也可用作副词。
例461：My home is not far from here.我家离这儿不远
例462：The car broke down on the way home . 在回家的路上车抛锚了。
house：房子，住宅。指居住的建筑物。
例463：The old house was built of stones .这座旧房子是用石头建成的。
例464：The big fire destroyed the whole house ．大火烧毁了整个房子。