previous year (fiscal, academic, etc.)
in; at; on; as for; regarding; with regards to
sailing; marching; going out; dispatch
number of times; frequency; count
counter for occurrences; a time; an instance; inning (baseball); round; episode; chapter
numeral; figure; digit; numeric character
to surpass the rest (e.g. of a large group); to stand out from the crowd; to be the best by far
how; in what way; how (much); to what extent; however (much); no matter how
superior; excellent; brilliant; outstanding
to tell (a story); to give an account of (an event, experience, etc.); to relate; to tell of; to show; to indicate
by the way; incidentally; sometimes; occasionally; precisely (at that time); exactly
how; in what way; how about
taking an examination (esp. school and university entrance)
something; something or other; so-and-so; somehow; anyhow; one way or another
safety; security; safely; without incident; good health; inaction
success; passing (e.g. exam); eligibility
to be able (to); to be possible (to)
in fact; as a matter of fact; actually; in reality; to tell the truth
not the time for; not the place for; far from; anything but; ... is out of the question; ... isn't the word for it
(establishing a) big lead; (winning by a) huge margin; breaking away (from the field)
head; chief; top student; head of the class; top seat; first desk (in orchestra)
achievements; actual results; accomplishments; past results; track record
to show off; to make a display (e.g. of wealth)
type; kind; type (of person); (ideal) type; typewriter; typing
that being the case; because of ...; the reason is ...; given that ...
moderate; reserved; conservative; humble; mild-mannered; self-effacing
tendency; trend; inclination
good; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeable
inside; within; while (e.g. one is young); during; among; amongst; in (secret, chaos, poverty, etc.)
troops; group members; team members
to collect; to assemble; to gather
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
drinking party; banquet; feast
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
invitation; introduction; temptation
but; however; (and) yet; nevertheless; still; for all that
softly; mildly; gently; politely
notice; notification; permission; consent; rejection; refusal
intention; wish; purpose; mind (to do)
as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
prudish; strait-laced; boring; square
hearty; tremendous; magnificent; glorious; splendid; heroic
to laugh; to smile; to sneer; to ridicule; to be dumbfounded; to be flabbergasted
small quantity; little; little while; short distance
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)