C2. crystallize / challenging / cause

1. crystallize 

: to cause (something, such as an idea, belief, etc.) to become clear and fully formed

: If you crystallize an opinion or idea, or if it crystallizes, it becomes fixed and definite in someone's mind.

: become definite
: "crystallize" conveys the idea of something vague or uncertain becoming clear and certain.

 

ex) The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.

ex) Our ideas began to crystallize into a definite plan.

ex) The final chapter crystallizes all the main issues.

ex) After reviewing the research report, the solution to the problem started to crystallize.

ex) The event helped to crystallize my thoughts.

ex) The discussion with our partners helped crystallize our understanding of the market trends.

 

2. challenging 

: difficult in a way that is usually interesting or enjoyable

((호감) 흥미롭게 자신의 능력을 시험해 볼 수 있는 방식으로 힘듦을 나타낸다. difficult 보다 긍정적)
: "challenging" refers to a situation or task that is difficult, but not necessarily insurmountable. It acknowledges the difficulty while also implying the possibility of success with effort and determination.

ex) Teaching is challenging but rewarding work.
ex) It's a challenging book that requires careful reading. 
ex) I find the job challenging and fun. 
ex) He found the course academically challenging.
ex) It's challenging, but doable.

ex) Meeting the year-end sales targets will be challenging due to supply chain disruptions.

ex) The current market conditions are challenging, but we believe our strategy will enable us to navigate them successfully. 

ex) Implementing the new software across all our global offices will be challenging, but it will greatly improve our efficiency.

 

Q. So, basically does "challenging" refer to something positive, even though it has some difficulties?

Yes, you're correct in saying that "challenging" can have a positive connotation despite referring to something difficult. This is because the term often implies that, while a task or situation is difficult, it is also seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, or improvement. It suggests that with effort, resilience, and determination, the challenge can be overcome.
"Challenging" can also be an empowering term. It acknowledges the difficulty of a task without labeling it as impossible, thereby encouraging effort and engagement rather than discouragement or resignation.
However, whether "challenging" is perceived as positive can depend on the context and the individual's perspective. For some, a challenging task might be seen as stressful or daunting, while others might see it as an exciting opportunity. Similarly, in some contexts, "challenging" might simply be used as a diplomatic or polite way of saying "difficult."

 

3. cause
: to cause something, usually something bad, means to make it happen.
: make (something, especially something bad) happen

ex) Attempts to limit family size among some minorities are likely to cause problems.
ex) The poor harvest caused prices to rise sharply.
ex) The inflation was caused by big wage increases.
ex) The bright light caused her to blink.
ex) The lightweight design of the new sedan is questionable because it can cause the vehicle to slide on icy roads.
ex) Historically, automation in agriculture and industry has caused mass extinction of jobs and led to profound societal changes - including rapid urbanization.
ex) Unforeseen events this year caused profits in the second and third quarters to differ significantly from original projections.

ex) Delays in the supply chain have caused us to postpone the launch of our new product.

ex) Our marketing campaign caused a significant increase in website traffic.