1.   Her voice was so low he had to strain to catch it.

2.   When, at last, she managed to speak, the words fluttered out so faintly that Melissa had to strain to catch them.

3.   But as the sun emerged, it became increasingly difficult to make out the columns, and people on the ground strained to catch the last wisps of light.

4.   Does it wake up in a heart-thumping sweat or strain to catch the evaporating gossamer of sweet perfection?

5.   Even those in the far corners of the room strained to catch every nuance.

6.   Like a greyhound chasing a mechanical rabbit, Massachusetts is straining to catch other states that are sprinting themselves.

7.   Still more people simply walked in and squatted on the pavement, straining to catch the soundtrack broadcast from the projection booth to car radios.

8.   It used to be the province of a few lonely scientists, who strained to catch strange sounds broadcast from outer space.

9.   Journalists strained to catch sight of what was going on as they clung to their seats.

10.   Thousands of cars were parked along the highway as Israelis strained to catch a glimpse.