Set 2 Question 4
StarCatching Words
pique the interest (adj.)
If something piques your interest, you become interested in it.
His secret piques the interest of readers.
take over (ph. v.)
If you take over something, you assume control over it. If something takes over, it overshadows other things because it is too overwhelming or too important.
Don’t let your worries take over.
mundane (adj.)
If something is mundane, it is dull and ordinary.
The mundane plot bores the audience, leaving it with miserable ratings.
landscape (n.)
A landscape usually means the natural view, but it can also mean ‘situation, structure or state’ by adding an adjective before it, such as ‘economic landscape’, ‘political landscape’ and ‘social landscape’.
It is dangerous for young children to navigate the media landscape without proper guidance.
gain traction (collocation)
If something gains traction, it starts becoming popular and successful.
The idea of having a school pet quickly gains traction.
drive this shift (collocation)
‘Drive’ also means ‘support’. A ‘shift’ means ‘change’. Therefore, ‘drive this shift’ is a common equivalent to ‘cause this change’.
The advancement of technology as driven the shift towards digitalisation in companies.
cater to (v. + prep.)
‘Cater to’ is usually paired with ‘needs’ or ‘demands’, which means tailored to satisfy such needs.
Some dishes in the pet-friendly restaurant are designed to cater to dogs’ diet.
feature (n. / v.)
As a noun, ‘feature’ means special characteristics. As a verb, ‘feature’ means to highlight something as the key element.
This extravaganza features the live music and cultural performances.
take a weight off somebody’s mind (idiom)
If something takes a weight off your mind, it makes you less stressed.
Having finished all exams has taken a weight off my mind.
find a footing (idiom)
If you find a footing, you settle down in a new environment or become stable in a challenge.
It is always difficult for a company to find a footing at a new market.
keep half an eye out for something (idiom)
The actual idiom is ‘keep an eye out for something’ which means to be on high alert for something. By changing it to ‘half an eye’, it lowers the alertness, suggesting you are aware of something but do not give your full attention.
They are keeping half an eye out for accidents.
weigh somebody down (idiom)
If something weighs you down, you are burdened emotionally by it. Responsibilities sometimes weigh us down as we are uncertain if we can shoulder them properly.
Responsibilities sometimes weigh us down as we are uncertain if we can shoulder them properly.
StarCatching Patterns
A standout example of this is…
A standout example of this is how students sacrifice sleep to have more time to complete schoolwork and study.
…and the list goes on.
For example, the endless homework, the weekly tests, the quarterly exams, and the list goes on.
On one hand, … On the other hand, …
On one hand, homework helps students develop a deeper understanding of the knowledge taught. On the other hand, too much homework erodes students’ desire to learn.
