My science teacher used to give us all a lot of ...... before exams. She said that positive thinking was an essential part of the equation.

It's always very ...... to see that your students make progress in their studies.

The headmaster smiled at me ...... and I felt I could do whatever I wanted to.

The father doesn't want to ...... his son from taking the entrance exam to Harvard, but it's really difficult, so he's suggested that his son keep a second option in mind.

Too much ...... might put the children off trying to improve their verbal skills. You should perhaps try to be a little more emphatic, Ms Kingston.