SAT VOCABULARY: LESSON 2
alienate
aloof
ambiguous
ameliorate
animosity
alleviate
altruistic
ambivalence
analogous
anonymity
1. Alienate: (v) to turn away the normal feelings of fondness toward anyone; to estrange
2. Alleviate: (v) to make easier to endure; to relieve; to diminish
3. Aloof: (adj) indifferent; unsympathetic; not interested; apart
4. Altruistic: (adj) thoughtful of the welfare of others
5. Ambiguous: (adj) permitting more than one interpretation; not clearly defined
6. Ambivalence: (n) condition of having conflicting attitudes
7. Ameliorate: (v) to make better or more tolerable; to improve
8. Analogous: (adj) similar in certain qualities; comparable
9. Animosity: (n) active dislike; ill will
10. Anonymity: (n) condition of being nameless or unknown
MATCHING
_____ 1. Alienate
A. concerned about others
_____ 2. Alleviate
B. unclear
_____ 3. Aloof
C. to improve
_____ 4. Altruistic
D. estrange
_____ 5. Ambiguous
E. spryness
_____ 6. Ambivalence
F. reserved
_____ 7. Ameliorate
G. remaining unknown
_____ 8. Analogous
H. with conflicting attitudes
_____ 9. Animosity
I. comparable
_____ 10. Anonymity
J. active dislike
K. relieve
FILL IN THE BLANK
1. Accused of ________________________________, the mayor was urged to clarify his position.
2. It’s ironic that some successful actors ultimately long for ________________________________.
3. Having no desire to ________________________________ his friends, Andy invited more people to the
wedding than he could afford.
4. The black poet was criticized for having remained ____________________________ from civil rights
protests.
5. Getting fired was _______________________________________ to being hit in the stomach.
6. Barry’s sudden _________________________ deeds didn’t deceived us about his true character.
7. When she realized that Roger showed extreme _________________________________ to regular
discipline, Mrs. Bryant referred to the Guidance Department.
8. The criticism of my essay was so _______________________________ that I didn’t know what mark to
expect.
9. Shall I use a heating pad or an ice pack to _______________________________ the pain?
10. When we reached an impasse, an arbitrator was invited to ______________________________ the
matter.
TRUE or FALSE
_____ 1. The new medication is said to be able to alleviate a migraine headache within minutes.
_____ 2. Leonard’s ambiguous response was appreciated because we then knew where he stood.
_____ 3. Many shy people prefer anonymity to the spotlight.
_____ 4. If you alienate her affections, she might sue for divorce.
_____ 5. The truly altruistic philanthropist refused to take credit for helping the poor families.