1. The 1990s have been a general ---- in aid to poor countries, largely because of fiscal pressures in many rich countries.

2. The whole business of having meals at fixed ---- is nothing but a social convention and, in modern life, a matter of
convenience.

3. Space research is largely a branch of pure science, independent of any applications which ---- from it.

4. The current social security system is ---- popular, partly because its universal and partly because retirement benefits are related to contributions, so most people think the system is fair.

5. She is the oldest person in the village, to be precise, 92 years old and has a ---- word of advice for everyone.