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SAT Verbal sections terms & vocabulary (view source)

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Terms and definitions useful for answer questions on the SAT Reading and Writing sections.   
Terms and definitions useful for answer questions on the Digital SAT Reading and Writing sections, including a list of difficult or unfamiliar terms used in vocabulary questions.   


These lists are mostly taken from the College Board [https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests/linear Digital SAT practice tests 1-4 (linear versions)], but are also informed by prior SAT paper tests.  
These lists are mostly taken from the College Board [https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests/linear Digital SAT practice tests 1-10 (linear versions)], but are also informed by prior SAT paper tests.  
 
Here for [[SAT Digital Reading and Writing Test quick start guide|Digital SAT Reading/Writing skills and strategies]]


== Key SAT vocabulary and terms to know ==
== Key SAT vocabulary and terms to know ==
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Some key terms that will show up in test '''questions''' or '''passages''' include:   
Some key terms that will show up in test '''questions''' or '''passages''' include:   
<div style="column-count:3; column-rule:1px solid gray;">
'''agency (n)'''
* a medium, method, or abilty to do something
'''ambiguous''' (adj.)
* unclear, no distinction between things, options or alternatives
* from ''ambi-'' for "both", "two or more", "wandering"
** "ambiguity" is a state of indecision, lack of clarity
'''ambivalence''' (n.)
* unconcern with a situation or choice
* state of not caring between options
* '''ambivalent''' (adj)
'''ameliorate (v)'''
* to make better
'''analysis (n.)'''
* detailed examination to determine the features or parts of something or some idea
* analysis separates the whole into the components (parts)
** analysis wants to know "how" something works, etc., whereas, "evaluation" seeks its overall worth or value
'''anomaly''' (n)
* not normal, a deviation from what is usual or expected
* note, the adverb '''anomalously''' (with deviation) is not to be confused with "'''anonymously'''" (without being identified)
'''antecedent'''
* what comes before, as a prior event or condition (not necessarily a cause)
'''assert / assertion'''
* assert (v): to make a claim
* assertion (n): a claim
'''augment (v)'''
* to make larger, to add to or build up
'''autonomous (adj)'''
* subject to its own law (according to its own rules, not subject to other rules/ rule)
* autonomy (n)
'''bias (n), biased/ unbiased (adj)'''
* bias= prejudicial, opiniated, having a prior opinion
* unbaised = not having or not from an opinion


'''context, contextual'''(n, adj)<br>
*in relation to a situation or place<br>
*literally "with" (con-) "what is woven together" (text)<br>
*"text" comes from the Latin ''texere'' for "to weave, what is woven"<br>
*words and situations have "context"
   
<div style="column-count:3; column-rule:1px solid black; background-color:#ffffe6;">
'''characterize''' (v.)
'''characterize''' (v.)
*to generalize regarding the distinctive nature or key features of someone/something
* to generalize regarding the distinctive nature or key features of someone/something
*to state in a general sense, categorize according to core features
* to state in a general sense, categorize according to core features


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">'''control''' (n.)<br>
'''complementary''' (adj)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> an element in an experiment that does not change<br>
* ''com-'' = with + ''plere'' "to fill"
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> as opposed to the "variable," which does change<br>
** so fulfilling, coming together
<span style="padding-left:0.6em;"><small>●</small>note that in the SAT these words will be used to evaluate experiments or studies<br>
* a "complement" goes with the other
<small>●</small> some of which have faults because of faulty "controls" or unclear or multiple "variables"
* "complementary" agrees, aligns, or goes with
</span></p>
 
'''control''' (n.)
* an element in an experiment that does not change
* as opposed to the "variable," which does change
** note that in the SAT these words will be used to evaluate experiments or studies
some of which have faults because of faulty "controls" or unclear or multiple "variables"


'''concede''' (v.)  
'''concede''' (v.)  
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**used on SAT as in "to accept for the sake of the argument"
**used on SAT as in "to accept for the sake of the argument"


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">'''context, contextual'''(n, adj)<br>
'''context, contextual'''(n, adj)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> in relation to a situation or place<br>
* in relation to a situation or place
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> literally "with" (con-) "what is woven together" (text)<br>
* literally "with" (con-) "what is woven together" (text)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> "text" comes from the Latin ''texere'' for "to weave, what is woven"<br>
* "text" comes from the Latin ''texere'' for "to weave, what is woven"
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> words and situations have "context"
* words and situations have "context"
</span></p>
 
'''convention (n),  conventional''' (adj)
 
* that which is common, or expected (from "convene" for together)
* '''conventional wisdom''' = what is commonly thought of as true
 
'''correlate''' (v.)
* to connect, to relate
* '''correlated''' means "related to but not directly"
* '''correlation''' (n)
'''corollary (n.)'''
 
* a parallel or connected proposition or situation
* such as the "Roosevelt corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, which added a new angle to it
 
'''credulous'''
 
* to believe too readily
* as opposed to incredulous


'''critical''' (adj.)  
'''critical''' (adj.)  
*important, of an emergency situation
*important, of an emergency situation
*analytical, investigated thoughtfully
* analytical, investigated thoughtfully
*also, negative, inclined to judgement
* also, negative, inclined to judgement
 
'''derogatory''' (adj)
 
* negative in aspect
* putting down or diminishing of
* syn: ''disparaging''
 
'''discount''' (n or v)
 
* v: to lessen in worth, value or importance
* n: below or less than normal price;
* n: in finance, a fee taken as interest or other transaction charges
 
'''disparate''' (adj)
* ''dis-'' (not) ''pare'' (each, other)
** i.e. not the same, distinct
 
'''diverge (v)'''
 
* to move in a different direction, usually in terms of two or more things separating from one another
 
* '''divergent''' (adj) = going in different directions; away from one another
 
'''earnest''' (adj)
 
* sincere or serious in intent or belief
* honestly trying hard
'''epitomize (v)'''
 
* to make the ultimate or best example of
 
'''evaluate'''
* to measure, assess, determine value or significance of
* "evaluate" deals with holistic (overall) understanding, whereas "analysis" deals with detailed, dissected understanding


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">''' hierarchy, hierarchical''' (n., adv.)<br>
''' hierarchy, hierarchical''' (n., adv.)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> an organization or system of ranking<br>
* an organization or system of ranking
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> levels of importance, authority or significance<br>
* levels of importance, authority or significance
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> classification
* classification
</span></p>


''' hypothetical, hypothetically''' (n., adv.)
''' hypothetical, hypothetically''' (n., adv.)
*= an estimate, theory
* = an estimate, theory
*or, an idea or situation that is not real but could be
* or, an idea or situation that is not real but could be
*used to test a "hypothesis" or theoretical prediction or observation that has not been tested in reality
* used to test a "hypothesis" or theoretical prediction or observation that has not been tested in reality
*SAT Reading section uses it frequently for inference questions
* SAT Reading section uses it frequently for inference questions
*i.e., "''Given the hypothetical condition, then...''" = "''if this were true, then...''"
*i.e., "''Given the hypothetical condition, then...''" = "''if this were true, then...''"


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">''' merely''' (adj.)<br>
'''incongruent''' (adj)''', incongruence''' (n)''', incongruity''' (n)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> = "only"<br>
 
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> the SAT frequently measures student comprehension of this word<br>
* incompatible, not in union, not going together
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> note that "merely" is different from "a little," "a few" or "few"
</span></p>


''' nevertheless''' (adv.)
'''innocuous''' (adj)
 
* not harmful, not injurious (causing harm)
'''irony''' (n)
 
* the opposite of what it seems or means on the surface/literally;
 
'''ironic''' (adj)
 
* something that is or appears to be the opposite of what would be expected or appears as
 
'''mandatory''' (adj)
 
* required
 
''' merely''' (adj.)
* = "only"
* the SAT frequently measures student comprehension of this word
* note that "merely" is different from "a little," "a few" or "few"
 
'''methodology'''
 
* the means or procedures by which something is done
* in the SAT, usually refers to the way an experiment or study is set up and conducted (as opposed to the hypothesis, goals or results of the study)
 
'''nevertheless''' (adv.)
*= "yes, but..."
*= "yes, but..."
*used to accept a prior argument or statement, then deflect, negate, or contradict it.
* used to accept a prior argument or statement, then deflect, negate, or contradict it.
*for Reading section, transition words mark important statements an author wants to make or emphasize
* for Reading section, transition words mark important statements an author wants to make or emphasize
 
''' novel''' (adj.)
* new, unusual
* different from what is common
* note that as a noun, "a novel" is a popular genre (form) of fiction
* novels are called "novel" because the genre was "novel" (new) when it was introduced in the 19th century)
 
'''nuance''' (n.)
* small or subtle difference(s); fine distinction
** implies careful, close understanding, as opposed to broad generalizations or unspecific distinctions
* "'''nuanced'''" (past participle adjective) means a carefully considered, thoughtful distinction
'''obscure''' (v, adj)
 
* v: to make unclear, to conceal
* adj: unclear, uncertain, dark, remote
'''positing'''
 
* present participle adjective used in the SAT to create participle a phrase indicating
 
'''postulate''' (v or n)
 
* verb: to theorize or hypothesize' to put forth a proposition, usually based on logic
* noun: a hypothesis or proposal, usually based on logic
 
'''preclude''' (v)
 
* to make not possible; to prevent from happening;
 
'''proponent''' (n)
 
* one who supports or favors something; an advocate
 
'''relevant '''(adj)
* related, in context to
* "associated with", "connected to", "important for"
* "matters" (as in, "what matters" = "what is relevant")
* '''antonym''': irrelevant (not related, not in context)
'''sanction''' (v or n)
 
* verb: 1) to require or give approval to; or 2) to impose a penalty upon


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">''' novel''' (adj.)<br>
* noun: a rule or decree, usually in the form of a penalty
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> new, unusual<br>
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> different from what is common<br>
<span style="padding-left:0.6em;"><small>●</small> note that as a noun, "a novel" is a popular genre (form) of fiction <br>
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> novels are called "novel" because the genre was "novel" (new) when it was introduced in the 19th century)</span></p>


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">'''relevant '''</p>
'''satirical''' (adj)
*associated with
*related, in context to
*matters


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">''' skeptical, skeptic''' (adj., noun)<br>
* making fun of, ridiculing
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> = doubtful, uncertain of, seeing as unproven<br>
 
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> a "skeptic" is one who doubts or questions the veracity of something<br>
''' skeptical, skeptic''' (adj., noun)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> on the SAT, the word "skeptical" may be used to indicate a perspective of doubt<br>
* = doubtful, uncertain of, seeing as unproven
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> ex., if the question asks, "Scholars are skeptical of the idea that people would behave that way"<br>
* a "skeptic" is one who doubts or questions the veracity of something
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> = scholars doubt people would behave that way<br>
* on the SAT, the word "skeptical" may be used to indicate a perspective of doubt
<span style="padding-left:0.6em;"><small>●</small> i.e., use "backwards thought" or "inversion" to make sense of the question
* ex., if the question asks, "Scholars are skeptical of the idea that people would behave that way"
</span></p>
* = scholars doubt people would behave that way
** i.e., use "backwards thought" or "inversion" to make sense of the question
 
'''succinct''' (adj)


''' standard''' (n.)
''' standard''' (n.)
*a baseline measurement
* a baseline measurement
*what is common or commonly accepted
*what is common or commonly accepted


<p style="background-color:#e6ffff">''' structure ''' (n.)<br>
''' structure ''' (n.)
<span style="padding-left:0.5em;"><small>●</small> the arrangement of an organization or object<br>
* the arrangement of an organization or object
<span style="padding-left:0.6em;"><small>●</small> esp. in terms of the inter-relationship of its parts and underlying elements
**esp. in terms of the inter-relationship of its parts and underlying elements
</span></p>
 
'''synopsis''' (n) 
 
* a brief summary of a written work
 
'''tenuous''' (adj)
 
* not firm, weak, "drawn out" & thus weakened


'''tone''' (n.)
'''tone''' (n.)
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**light-hearted, amusing, cheerful
**light-hearted, amusing, cheerful
**narrative (story-telling)
**narrative (story-telling)
**satirical, comedic, ironic
** satirical, comedic, ironic
</div>also (todo)
</div>


* ambiguity / ambiguous
== Inversion phrases ==


* ambivalence
* ''it is by no means''
 
* ''would not agree with''
* correlate / correlation
* ''skeptical about''
 
* ''have mixed feelings''
* evaluate
* ''inversely correlates with''
 
* nuanced 


==Other terms to know==
==Other terms to know==
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===Historical terms===
===Historical terms===


*see [[SAT Reading section historical timeline & themes#Historical%20terminology|SAT Reading section historical timeline & themes)]]
*see [[SAT Reading section historical timeline & themes#Historical%20terminology|SAT Reading section historical timeline & themes]]


===Transition words (conjunctive adverbs)===
===Transition words (conjunctive adverbs)===
*see:[[Transition words translations]]
*see:[[Transition words translations]]


==Homophones & homonyms==
==Homophones==
<div style="column-count:3;">
<div style="column-count:3; column-rule:1px solid gray;">
ad, add
ad, add


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==Digital SAT Vocabulary terms from official practice tests 1-4 (2023)==
==Digital SAT Vocabulary terms from official practice tests 1-4 (2023)==
Words taken from Vocabulary questions (selected not inclusive of all):
Words taken from Vocabulary questions (selected not inclusive of all):
<div style="column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3; column-rule:1px solid gray;">
abrupt
abrupt


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ambivalence
ambivalence
antagonistic


atypical  
atypical  
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commercialization
commercialization
coincidental


concede
concede
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conform
conform
connive


contrive
contrive
conviction


critical
critical
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elusive
elusive
evaluate


exemplify
exemplify
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grapple  
grapple  
haphazard 


imminent
imminent
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inconclusive
inconclusive
incongruity


indecipherable
indecipherable
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recant
recant
reciprocate


refute
refute
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waive
waive
zealous
</div>
</div>


==Digital SAT Vocabulary terms used in passages (general vocab)==
==Digital SAT Vocabulary terms from official practice tests 5-6 (2024-2025)==
<nowiki>*</nowiki> note: 7-10 todo
 
Words taken from Vocabulary questions (selected not inclusive of all):
<div style="column-count:3; column-rule:1px solid gray;">
acquired
 
adjust
 
accidental / accidentally
 
ameliorate
 
antagonistic
 
antecedent
 
common
 
compliment
 
controversial
 
cordial / cordially
 
determine /-ed
 
discounted
 
epitomize
 
evaluate /-ed
 
exacerbate
 
exploited
 
fragile
 
hoard
 
hypothesize/-ed
 
impending
 
inadvertent / inadvertenly
 
inconsequential
 
indicate / indication
 
innocuous
 
insensible
 
intriguing
 
manifest (verb or adj)
 
obtain
 
observable
 
occupy
 
overt / overtly
 
perpetual
 
postulate
 
preclude
 
prominent
 
prudent / prudently
 
rationalize
 
recognizable
 
redefined
 
redress
 
reserve
 
sanction
 
scrutinize
 
sketch
 
sophisticated
 
summarize
 
tentative
 
trace
 
warranted
</div>
 
== Digital SAT Vocabulary terms from official practice tests 7-8 (2024-2025) ==
interim
 
==Digital SAT Vocabulary terms used in passages or questions (general vocab)==
<div style="column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3">
ablation (in science)
ablation (in science)
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conventional  
conventional  
contentious


conversely
conversely
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disparate
disparate


disparity / disparaties
disparity / disparities


disperse
disperse
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divert
divert
domestic / domesticated


dormant
dormant
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evocative
evocative
exacerbate


exasperate / exasperated
exasperate / exasperated
excerpt (n or v)


factors
factors
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foliage
foliage
foreground (as a literary technique)


forge / forged
forge / forged
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incorporate
incorporate
indiscriminate


indigenous
indigenous
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reciprocate
reciprocate
redress


relevant
relevant
Line 598: Line 901:
</div>
</div>


== Tests 4-8 ==
outstrip
stymie
tentative
warranted 
== Other words ==
arbitrary  / arbitrariness
conspicuous
contempt
derivative
disparate
disparity
elicit
ends
exigence/ exigency
grievance
ingratiating
patronize/ patronizing
predator
putative / putatively
readily
remedy
statistically
* statistically significant
syndrome
thread
traits
[[Category:SAT prep]]
[[Category:SAT prep]]
[[Category:SAT verbal]]
[[Category:SAT verbal]]
[[Category:SAT Reading]]
[[Category:SAT Reading]]
[[Category:SAT Writing]]
[[Category:SAT Writing]]
[[Category:Digital SAT]]
[[Category:SAT exam prep]]
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