1. I told my wife that I didn't want to go to her parents anymore and she got really angry. Then I told her that their boring conversations irritated me to no end and the situation went from bad to .........., Tom told his friend Bill.

2. The American media always makes a big deal out of the shortcomings of the .......... of society.

3. There are many interesting stories of people who built successful Internet-based companies from the .......... up that came to light around the year 2000.

4. Yes, I know Tom very well. He is an old friend from .......... back, Gina told Rachel.

5. I have heard rumors about some practical jokes being played in the office. I want all of you to knock it off. It is all .......... and games until someone gets hurt, the boss told the staff.

6. Tina spread a nasty rumor about me at work. That is OK. Spreading rumors is a game two can .........., Marcie said to Jillian.

7. He was mad. He had been waiting to see Jenny at the party. He had to deal with some gate .......... and by the time he had ejected the moochers from the party, Jenny had come and gone. It wasn't fair.

8. I am sorry that my mom told you that your music is awful. There is a bit of a .......... gap between my mom and me — especially when it comes to music, Dan told Jimmy.

9. I am sorry that grandpa didn't leave you any tools. He didn't have any to leave. He was generous to a .......... . Whenever his friends needed a tool, he gave them his, his grandma told Sam.

10. In some ways, I resent rich kids for getting all the .......... . Life is easy for them and they don't have to work as hard as we do. On the other hand, in some ways I feel sorry for them since they are weaker and will be almost helpless if the money runs out, Sam told his brother.