key; lock; key (to a problem, success, etc.); clue
tottering; staggering; faltering; reeling
encouragement; cheering on
strict; close; precise; scrupulous
thereabouts; vicinity; that area; that situation; those circumstances
central city; major city (in a region)
to be crowded with people; to be bustling with; to prosper; to flourish; to do thriving business
life; living; I; me; student
to raise; to rear; to train; to teach; to promote the growth of; to nurture
being enrolled (at a school); being registered; being a member (of a team, organization, etc.)
combat; battle; action; active service; actual fighting
what is called; what you call; what they call; so-called
promotion; raising of status
safety; security; safely; without incident; good health; inaction
in one go; in one gulp; in one breath; suddenly; all of a sudden; all at once
already; now; by this time; quick; early; fast
to fear; to doubt; to have misgivings about; to worry about; to be anxious about; to be apprehensive about
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
yearning; longing; aspiration; adoration; admiration
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
senior (at school, work, etc.); superior; elder; older person; predecessor
academic advisor (e.g. at a university research lab)
cool-headed; level-headed; hard-headed
to come to mind; to pop into one's head
incompetence; inefficiency; inability; incompetent person
to make up for; to compensate for; to indemnify; to recompense; to redeem (e.g. a fault); to atone for
bygones; the past; past event
stickily; glutinously; persistently; insistently; tenaciously
sermon; preaching; homily; remonstration; scolding; lecturing
to resign; to retire; to quit; to leave (one's job, etc.)
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
such; this sort of; like this
sure; no mistaking it; for certain; without doubt
search (esp. in criminal investigations); investigation; inquiry; enquiry