SAT Verbal sections terms & vocabulary: Difference between revisions

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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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* unconcern with a situation or choice
* unconcern with a situation or choice
* state of not caring between options
* state of not caring between options
* '''ambivalent''' (adj)
'''ameliorate (v)'''
* to make better


'''analysis (n.)'''
'''analysis (n.)'''
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* analysis separates the whole into the components (parts)
* analysis separates the whole into the components (parts)
** analysis wants to know "how" something works, etc., whereas, "evaluation" seeks its overall worth or value
** 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 / assertion'''
* assert (v): to make a claim
* assert (v): to make a claim
* assertion (n): 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 (n), biased/ unbiased (adj)'''
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* "text" comes from the Latin ''texere'' for "to weave, what is woven"
* "text" comes from the Latin ''texere'' for "to weave, what is woven"
* words and situations have "context"
* words and situations have "context"
'''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.)
'''correlate''' (v.)
* to connect, to relate
* to connect, to relate
** '''correlated''' means "related to but not directly"
* '''correlated''' means "related to but not directly"
* also, '''corollary" (n.) is a parallel or connected proposition or situation
* '''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.)  
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* 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)
'''disparate''' (adj)
* ''dis-'' (not) ''pare'' (each, other)
* ''dis-'' (not) ''pare'' (each, other)
** i.e. not the same, distinct
** 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'''
'''evaluate'''
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* 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...''"
'''incongruent''' (adj)''', incongruence''' (n)''', incongruity''' (n)
* incompatible, not in union, not going together


'''innocuous''' (adj)
'''innocuous''' (adj)


* not harmful, not injurious (causing harm)
* 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)
'''mandatory''' (adj)
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* note that "merely" is different from "a little," "a few" or "few"
* note that "merely" is different from "a little," "a few" or "few"


''' nevertheless''' (adv.)
'''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.
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* small or subtle difference(s); fine distinction
* small or subtle difference(s); fine distinction
** implies careful, close understanding, as opposed to broad generalizations or unspecific distinctions
** implies careful, close understanding, as opposed to broad generalizations or unspecific distinctions
* "nuanced" (past participle adjective) means a carefully considered, thoughtful distinction
* "'''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)


'''proponent'''
* one who supports or favors something; an advocate


'''relevant '''
'''relevant '''(adj)
* related, in context to
* related, in context to
* "associated with", "connected to", "important for"
* "associated with", "connected to", "important for"
* "matters" (as in, "what matters" = "what is relevant")
* "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
* noun: a rule or decree, usually in the form of a penalty
'''satirical''' (adj)
* making fun of, ridiculing


''' skeptical, skeptic''' (adj., noun)
''' skeptical, skeptic''' (adj., noun)
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* = scholars doubt people would behave that way
* = scholars doubt people would behave that way
** i.e., use "backwards thought" or "inversion" to make sense of the question
** i.e., use "backwards thought" or "inversion" to make sense of the question
'''succinct''' (adj)


''' standard''' (n.)
''' standard''' (n.)
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* a brief summary of a written work
* a brief summary of a written work
'''tenuous''' (adj)
* not firm, weak, "drawn out" & thus weakened


'''tone''' (n.)
'''tone''' (n.)
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** satirical, comedic, ironic
** satirical, comedic, ironic
</div>
</div>
== Inversion phrases ==
* ''it is by no means''
* ''would not agree with''
* ''skeptical about''
* ''have mixed feelings''
* ''inversely correlates with''


==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)===
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ambivalence
ambivalence
antagonistic


atypical  
atypical  
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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
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</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]]
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[[Category:SAT Writing]]
[[Category:SAT Writing]]
[[Category:Digital SAT]]
[[Category:Digital SAT]]
[[Category:SAT exam prep]]