Challenge meaning in English

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Definition

a challenge: a test, a trial, a contest noun
to challenge (somebody, a decision): to test, to try (somebody); to question, to argue against (a decision) verb
challenging: difficult, ambitious, testing adjective
It was a very challenging jigsaw puzzle, and I'm happy I completed it.

Examples

  • "Joan Wayne attempted to scare the shark by firing at its dorsal fin, then challenged the shark to a duel, running into the water with pistols drawn."
  • "I have ten years' experience in the customer service field, as well as management experience in a local telemarketing firm. The challenging environments in which I've worked have taught me to think on my feet, communicate clearly and always remain polite and professional while dealing with callers."
  • "Despite appearances to the contrary, the takeover is completely legitimate, and cannot be challenged in a court of law."
  • "Well, the ultimate salesperson needed the ultimate challenge."
  • "I have ten years experience in the customer service field, as well as management experience in a local telemarketing firm. The challenging environments in which I've worked have taught me to think on my feet, communicate clearly and always remain polite and professional while dealing with callers."
  • "Instead, you're going to be taking part in some exciting, challenging, and extremely dangerous missions..."
  • "Challenge yourself a bit."
  • "I know that it will be a challenge to sell one of our older lines, and that our current clients have already placed their orders."
  • "Set challenging targets!"
  • "Michelangelo was a genius who was always willing to challenge his genius with difficult new projects."
  • "The work is sometimes challenging but it'll be an excellent opportunity for a young man like you to prove himself."
  • "At night, to survive becomes a real challenge."
  • "Are you ready for that challenge?"
  • "Now, if there are no further questions, I'll simply say that I look forward to my new role as the spokesbaby for the Delavigne Corporation, and the many challenges that lie ahead of me."
  • "I have held this position for more than ten years, but am just now taking over your account from Luke Gabriels, who has moved on to other challenges in this industry."
  • "We mustn't forget that Philip is mentally challenged."
  • "Brian : Well, it certainly is a challenge I'm looking forward to, though I haven't had much practice at it."
Exercise 1
Kimmie Tanaka is from .

True or false? Philip confesses that he doesn't like people from Asia. → .

Choose a suitable title for Kimmie Tanaka's presentation: "".
Kimmie Tanaka is from Japan 1.

True or false? Philip confesses that he doesn't like people from Asia. → False 2.

Choose a suitable title for Kimmie Tanaka's presentation: "Challenging stereotypes at work 3".
1 Japan: This is the correct answer. Kimmie Tanaka says to Philip and Hannah "actually, I'm Japanese" after Philip calls her a "beautiful Chinese woman".
1 China: This is incorrect. Philip calls Kimmie Tanaka a "beautiful Chinese woman", but Kimmie replies that she is "Japanese".
1 Korea: This is incorrect. Philip says that he doesn't discriminate between "Chinese, Japanese, Korean". Kimmie says that she is "Japanese".
1 a galaxy far far away: If only this were true.
2 False: This is a false statement. Philip does not say that he doesn't like people from Asia. Instead, he says to Hannah and Kimmie: "Chinese, Japanese, Korean: you all make delicious food and wear sandals. I don't discriminate". In this context, this means that he is not "biased" or "prejudiced" towards people from these Asian countries. "To discriminate" is to make a clear decision on the basis of class, sex, race, etc. Example: Our old boss used to discriminate against black people, he was a racist.
2 True: This is not a true statement.
3 Challenging stereotypes at work: This is the most suitable choice for a title of Kimmie Tanaka's presentation. Kimmie says that her presentation "is on the dangers of stereotypes in the workplace". The term "workplace" is synonymous with "office": the place where one works. "To challenge (something)" is "to dispute" or "to confront" it.
3 Give a colleague a massage!: This is not a suitable choice of title. Although Philip thinks that Kimmie is here to give him "a special Asian massage", the purpose of Kimmie's visit is not to talk about massages.
3 Working with clients from Asia: This is not a suitable choice of title. Kimmie does not say that she will talk about "working with clients from Asia", her presentation is on the dangers of stereotypes in the office.
3 Better public speaking: This is not a suitable choice of title. Kimmie does not say that she will talk about "public speaking", her presentation is on the dangers of stereotypes in the office.
Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks with a term used in Trey's email:

"I am rubbish when it comes to buying gifts. I suffer from a great lack of imagination and always offer people , so they can choose their own present".

Fill in the blanks with a term used in Trey's email:

"I am rubbish when it comes to buying gifts. I suffer from a great lack of imagination and always offer people vouchers, so they can choose their own present".
vouchers: Vouchers are certificates or tokens often given as gifts. They represent credit to buy something in a store or online. Good answer!

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