Problem: Sentence1: A person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
Sentence2: His sudden appearance surprised me.
Q: Does the term appearance mean the same thing in both these sentences?

Answer: different meanings

Problem: Sentence1: Play football.
Sentence2: He plays on three teams.
Q: Does the term play mean the same thing in both these sentences?

Answer: the same meaning

Problem: Sentence1: The controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion.
Sentence2: The focus of activity shifted to molecular biology.
Q: Does the term focus mean the same thing in both these sentences?

Answer: different meanings

Problem: Sentence1: Chief of Staff is the second-highest position in the army.
Sentence2: Atheists do not enjoy a favorable position in American life.
Q: Does the term position mean the same thing in both these sentences?

Answer:
the same meaning