student asking question

Does the word "occupy" in this context has the same meaning as "concentrate"? Are they interchangeable? Or do they have slightly different meanings?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

No. "Occupy" and "concentrate" do not have the same meanings in this context nor would they be interchangeable here. "Occupy" here means to keep busy to be engaged in something. "Concentrate" means to focus on something. Ex: I am trying to stay occupied while I wait for my test results. Ex: Keep the kids occupied while we get lunch ready.

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