Vocabulary : Fill in the gaps with words or phrases given in the box. Change the form where necessary . bide one ’ s time / declaration / stroke / limp minus / raw / take a gamble / siege take its toll / region / at the cost of / crucial In the case of / alliance / weaken / render 1. The Labor Party ’ s electoral strategy, which was based on a tactical _______ with other minor parties , has proved successful. 2. The government troops recaptured the city from the rebels ___________ two thousand casualties . 3. By a __________ of good luck , Genelle, who had been buried in the rubble for more than 26 hours, came out alive. 4. My brother wasn ’ t badly hurt, but he injured his leg and had to _______ around for a few weeks. 5. The aircraft was subjected to a test of temperatures of ________ 65 degrees and plus 120 degrees. 6. Tax incentives combined with cheap labor will attract companies to the western _____ of our country from the east coast . 7. To my surprise, the opening speech es sounded more like _____ of war than offering s of peace . 8. After a three-day ______ by the police, the terrorists who had seized the restaurant had to give in . 9. Once we stepped off the plane and onto the prairie , we were greeted by a gust of ____ and biting wind . 10. Being young and impatient , they are inclined to dash into the jaws of danger where an experienced fighter might ________. 11. The harassing budget problems of the past few months __________ on her health and there are shadows beneath her eyes. 12. Workers who have to work on weekends are paid twice the normal wages.And _________ national holidays , they get triple pay .