Here are five alternatives for each phrase:

Shows:

1. Displays

2. Demonstrates

3. Exhibits

4. Presents

5. Illustrates

Advantages:

1. Benefits

2. Pros

3. Merits

4. Upsides

5. Strengths

Disadvantages:

1. Drawbacks

2. Cons

3. Downsides

4. Limitations

5. Shortcomings

Example:

1. Instance

2. Case

3. Sample

4. Illustration

5. Exemplar

People:

1. Individuals

2. Persons

3. Citizens

4. Population

5. Humans

Compare:

1. Contrast

2. Examine

3. Assess

4. Evaluate

5. Differentiate

Important:

1. Significant

2. Crucial

3. Vital

4. Essential

5. Key

In olden days:

1. In the past

2. Historically

3. In ancient times

4. Long ago

5. In earlier times

Explore:

1. Investigate

2. Discover

3. Examine

4. Survey

5. Probe

In my opinion:

1. I believe

2. From my perspective

3. In my view

4. As I see it

5. Personally, I think

Additionally:

1. Furthermore

2. Moreover

3. In addition

4. Also

5. Besides