shortfall - shortage, less (than is needed)⏎
variable - changeable, non-uniform⏎
scale - range, spectrum, measure, gauge⏎
setback - difficulty, problem, delay, hitch⏎
simulate - imitate, create artificially⏎
secondary - inferior, unimportant, less important⏎
sample - tester, taste, example, small amount⏎
unexpired - valid, remaining, still in force⏎
standards, rules, regulations - fall, decrease, fail, ruin⏎
zenith - summit, top, peak⏎