Do speakers of AmE know what a "star turn" is?

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Chicken Sandwich

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From a CPE practice paper:

Sven was the star .... in the school revue with his impersonations of all the teachers.

It'll be my .... to cook a meal for us both next weekend.

Don't drive too fast as you appraoch the next .... because there's a sharp embankment.

The idea here is to think of one word that can be used in all three sentences. I chose "turn", which is the right answer according to the answer key, but I didn't know if "star turn" made any sense. I then looked up "star turn" and according to Longman, this collocation is used in BrE.

I'm wondering if the examiners of the University of Cambridge use a lot distinctly "British" words in the CPE exam. Earlier, I was drawing a blank when I read, 'Today's technology removes the need for open-plan offices,' which according to Longman is also a British word. But, dictionaries are not always accurate in the distinction between AmE and BrE, hence my question.

Thank you in advance.
 

SoothingDave

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I don't know the phrase.
 

Rover_KE

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The American dictionary Merriem-Webster is happy to list it under 'turn'.

d : a short act or piece (as for a variety show); also : public appearance : performance <makes frequent guest star turns>

Rover
 

Barb_D

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I feel I've seen it used with "did a start turn" but I've never seen it used for the performer - just the performance.

So the first sentence, saying he "was the star turn," sounds odd to me.
 

bhaisahab

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I feel I've seen it used with "did a start turn" but I've never seen it used for the performer - just the performance.

So the first sentence, saying he "was the star turn," sounds odd to me.

It's common enough in BrE.
 
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