1. Under the new ________ arrangements coming into force soon all employees can decide what time to start and when to finish.

2. In celebration at passing his examinations he invited everyone round to crack a ________ and have a drink with him.

3. If you want to keep your customers coming in on a regular basis you mustn't let your stocks ________ dry.

4. She's very subtle in the comments she makes and she has a wonderfully dry ________ of humour.

5. For goodness'sake hurry up because if we don't ________ cracking soon we'll miss the bus.

6. Currently there is a shortage of clerical staff but it is hoped that by the end of the year they will be up to full ________ .

7. Although he knew it was a sensitive subject, his boss had to ask him the ________ question about his drink problem.

8. There was a terrible storm on the night we first stayed at the campsite but we were all right with our tent and were as dry as a ________ .

9. The only way you can hope to ________ the level of your pay is to take on greater responsibility.

10. They haven't really put matters right at all because they've simply papered ________ the cracks.