The teacher has a(an) ___________ to get off topic; sometimes it is difficult for students to make out what he is saying.  

 Mary was given a huge pay rise as a       for her great efforts in improving sales.

Helen borrowed my book _______, saying that she would return it soon.

Such men have made＿＿＿＿＿by developing oil businesses．

 Giving up smoking is a slow and painful _______ for him.