stage (theatre, theater); scene or setting (e.g. of novel, play, etc.)
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
persuasiveness; powers of persuasion; cogency
if you think about it; come to think of it
besides; in addition; also; moreover
simulation; simulation (of a foul); diving; flopping
establishment; creation; posing (a problem); options setting; preference settings; configuration
the present; present time; as of; present tense; this world; this life
to be interested in; to take an interest in; to care about
disease rate; infection rate; morbidity rate
I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
ordinary person; run-of-the-mill people; John Doe; Jane Doe
degree; amount; grade; standard; of the order of (following a number); about
increase; multiplication; propagation; proliferation
being too late; losing one's final chance
above ground; on the ground; earth's surface; this world; this earth
only; merely; just; at most; no more than
altitude; height; elevation; high-degree; high-grade; advanced
medical care; medical treatment
bed; berth; crib; cot; kip; bedroom
traffic; transportation; communication; exchange (of ideas, etc.); intercourse
paralysis; palsy; numbness; stupor
road; path; route; way; distance; journey; road (e.g. to victory)
shock (psychological); crisis (esp. financial); event that rattles the markets; shock (physical, mechanical); shock (e.g. due to lack of blood flow); trauma
real; realistic; serious; non-joking; realtime blog; real world (cf. online games or social networking services)
to put in; to place inside; to be enthusiastic; to be engrossed; to be in high spirits; to be excited
dramatic decrease; sharp drop; sudden fall
quotation; citation; reference
survival; survivor; relic
to urge; to encourage; to press; to stimulate (e.g. growth); to hasten (e.g. development); to quicken
influence; power; might; strength; potency; force
religion; religious affiliation; belief; religious activity
to appear ...; to look like ...; to seem ...; to have a trace of; to be tinged with
to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)