1. The cashier at the checkout (or you can say register), didn’t accept debit cards. So, many people shopped in vain, because they couldn’t pay for their items (it is not a purchase if you cannot buy it :) 2. His good (great, spectacular, wonderful etc) results proved the immense effort he had put in during the term. 3. Perfect :) 4. Contender is someone who qualifies for something - not necessarily in competition but COULD be in competition - All OF the contenders/competitors had a close struggle, (or competition) but the winner was better (or the winner WON) by several points. 4. He asked that we deal with each other on our own, and that we do not disturb him. 5. He (invited) me to come over (to his home), but I had important matters to attend to (or to take care of). Let me know if you have any questions or want to go over these things in a lesson :))