SAT Vocabulary Words
AVID 11
abstract
• not representing or imitating external reality
• The most likely purpose of the parenthetical
information in lines 54–55 (“(which is a
sequence of DNA that controls gene activity)”)
is to: illustrate an abstract concept. (Khan
Academy)
accompanying
• following as a consequence
• After reading each passage or pair, choose the
best answer to each question based on what is
stated or implied in the passage or passages
and in any accompanying graphics (such as a
table or graph). (College Board)
adapt
• make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
• This passage is adapted from Edith Wharton,
Ethan Frome, originally published in 1911.
Mattie Silver is Ethan’s household employee.
(College Board)
address
• direct one's efforts towards something, such
as a question
• The first paragraph serves mainly to: describe
a natural phenomenon and address its
importance. (Khan Academy)
advance
• bring forward for consideration or acceptance
• Which statement best describes the relationship
between the passages? Passage 2 refutes the
central claim advanced in Passage 1. (Khan
Academy)
allude
• make a more or less disguised reference to
• The analogy in the final sentence of Passage 2 has
primarily which effect? It alludes to the past to
evoke a nostalgic response. (Khan Academy)
analysis
• an investigation of the component parts of a
whole
• Which choice best describes the developmental
pattern of the passage? A careful analysis of a
traditional practice. (Khan Academy)
analyze
• consider in detail in order to discover essential
features
• The main purpose of the first paragraph is
to: analyze a reaction. (Khan Academy)
November 5, 2015
appeal
• attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
• As you read the passage below, consider how Paul
Bogard uses stylistic or persuasive elements, such as
word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to
the ideas expressed. (College Board)
argue
• present reasons to support one's views
• Which statement best describes the relationship
between the passages? Passage 2 argues against the
practicality of the proposals put forth in Passage 1.
(Khan Academy)
November 6, 2015
argument
• an assertion offered as evidence that something is true
• Which best describes the overall relationship between
Passage 1 and Passage 2? Passage 2 restates in
different terms the argument presented in Passage 1.
(Khan Academy)
assumption
• a statement that is held to be true
• The passage indicates that the assumption made by
gift-givers in
lines 36–39 may be... (Khan Academy)
November 10, 2015
author
• someone who originates or causes or initiates
something
• The authors of both passages would most likely agree
with which of the following statements about women
in the eighteenth century? (Khan Academy)
capture
• succeed in representing or expressing something
intangible
• Which statement best captures Ken Dial’s central
assumption in setting up his research? (Khan Academy)
November 11, 2015
central
• serving as an essential component
• The central claim of Passage 2 is that space mining has
positive potential but... (Khan Academy)
challenge
• take exception to
• Which best describes the overall relationship between
Passage 1 and Passage 2? Passage 2
strongly challenges the point of view in Passage 1.
(Khan Academy)
November 13, 2015
character
• an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
• The author includes the descriptions of the sunset, the
clouds, and the hemlock shadows (lines 30–32)
primarily to: emphasize the acuteness of
two characters’ sensations. (College Board)
• attributes that determine one's moral and ethical
actions
• The main purpose of the fifth paragraph is to: provide
support for the idea that ethics is about character.
(Khan Academy)
November 16, 2015
characterize
• describe or portray the qualities or peculiarities
of
• According to chart 2, the years 2000–2010
were characterized by... (Khan Academy)
cite
• refer to
• Which choice does the author explicitly cite as an
advantage of automobile travel in North
America? (Khan Academy)
November 17, 2015
•
•
•
•
claim
an assertion that something is true or factual
Which choice best supports the claim that
Quilotoa was not responsible for the Little Ice
Age? (Khan Academy)
clarify
make clear and comprehensible
The most likely purpose of the parenthetical
information in
lines 54–55 is to: clarify a claim.
November 18, 2015
•
•
•
•
compare
examine and note the similarities or differences of
The main purpose of each passage is to: compare brain
function in those who play games on the Internet and
those who browse on it. (Khan Academy)
comparison
the act of examining resemblances
What function does the discussion of water in lines 31–
35 serve in Passage 1? It continues an
extended comparison that begins in the previous
paragraph. (Khan Academy)
November 19, 2015
•
•
•
•
concept
an abstract or general idea inferred from specific
instances
Which concept is supported by the passage and
by the information in the graph? (Khan Academy)
conclusion
a position or opinion reached after consideration
Which choice best supports the conclusion that
public transportation is compatible with the use
of personal electronic devices? (Khan Academy)
November 20, 2015
•
•
•
•
confirm
strengthen or make more firm
The authors’ main purpose of including the information
about X-ray evidence and density is to: confirm the
relationship between the density of DNA and the
known chemical formula of DNA. (Khan Academy)
consistent
the same throughout in structure or composition
Is the main conclusion presented by the author of
Passage 2 consistent with Morgan’s canon, as
described in Passage 1? (College Board)
November 30, 2015
contend
• maintain or assert
• In lines 34–37 (“Prosecutions...sense”), what is the most
likely reason Jordan draws a distinction between two types
of “parties”? To contend that Hamilton was too timid in his
support for the concept of impeachment. (College Board)
context
• the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
• In the context of the passage, the author’s use of the
phrase “her light step flying to keep time with his long
stride” (line 3) is primarily meant to convey the idea that...
(College Board)
December 1, 2015
contradict
• be in opposition to
• A student claims that nitrogenous bases pair randomly
with one another. Which of the following statements in
the passage contradicts the student’s claim? (Khan
Academy)
contrast
• to show differences when compared; be different
• The author refers to reed warblers and sparrows (line
32) primarily to: contrast the loggerhead turtle’s
migration patterns with those of other species. (College
Board)
December 2, 2015
•
•
•
•
controversy
a contentious speech act
The stance Jordan takes in the passage is best
described as that of: a scholar researching a
historical controversy. (College Board)
convey
make known; pass on, of information
In the context of the passage, the author’s use of
the phrase “her light step flying to keep time with
his long stride” (line 3) is primarily meant
to convey the idea that... (College Board)
December 3, 2015
counter
• speak in response
• In lines 34–37 (“Prosecutions...sense”), what is the
most likely reason Jordan draws a distinction between
two types of “parties”? To counter the suggestion that
impeachment is or should be about partisan politics.
(College Board)
counterargument
• an opinion offered in opposition to another position
• The main purpose of the fifth paragraph (lines 40–49)
is to: develop acounterargument to the claim that
greed is good. (Khan Academy)
December 4, 2015
•
•
•
•
criticize
point out real or perceived flaws
The main purpose of the first paragraph is
to: criticize a tradition. (Khan Academy)
critique
appraise critically
Which choice best describes the relationship
between the two passages? Passage
2 critiques the conclusions drawn from the
research discussed in Passage 1. (Khan Academy)
December 10, 2015
data
• a collection of facts from which conclusions may
be drawn
• Which choice is supported by the data in the first
graph? (Khan Academy)
define
• explain the meaning of a word
• The most likely purpose of the parenthetical
information in
lines 54–55 is to: define a term. (Khan Academy)
December 11, 2015
demonstrate
• show the validity of something, as by example or
explanation
• The author uses the phrase “is written in” most likely
to: demonstrate the concept of the hands-on nature of
the work done by scientists. (Khan Academy)
describe
• give a statement representing something
• Which best describes the overall relationship between
Passage 1 and Passage 2? (Khan Academy)
December 14, 2015
description
• a statement that represents something in words
• Over the course of the passage, the focus shifts from:
a description of a recorded event to its likely cause.
(College Board)
determine
• find out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry
• The narrator indicates that many previous explorers
seeking the North Pole have: failed to determine its
exact location. (Khan Academy)
December 15, 2015
develop
• elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
• As you read the passage below, consider how Paul
Bogard uses: reasoning to develop ideas and to
connect claims and evidence. (College Board)
development
• a process in which something passes to a different
stage
• The primary purpose of the passage is to: explain
the development of a branch of scientific study. (Khan
Academy)