Unit 6: Essential SAT Vocabulary – Words 1-30
Directions: FIRST, highlight the words that have a positive connotation in green; highlight the words that have
a negative connotation in red; highlight the neutral words in yellow. NEXT, complete the practice exercises that
follow. FINALLY, highlight the context clues in each of the sample sentences.
Note: The letter and number to the left of the term and its definition refer to the level and unit where the term
can be found in the Sadlier-Oxford vocabulary workbooks.
D6
26.
tenacious adj. (tenacity n.) persistent, determined not to give up
SAT synonyms: relentless, resolute, unshakeable, persevering
Elena faced many obstacles on that project; nonetheless, she was _____, sticking to her guns and
seeing the program through to completion.
E11 27.
exemplary adj. worthy of imitation, standing out from the norm
SAT synonyms: meritorious, laudable, commendable, estimable
Plutarch wrote biographies of _____ Greeks and Romans whose lives, he believed, could serve as
role models to his readers.
B5
28.
anecdote n. a short, entertaining account of an incident that is usually personal
SAT synonyms: episode, narration, recital, sketch
She always has a humorous _____ about what she has been doing since the last time I saw her.
29.
compromise v. to weaken or place at risk OR n. a settlement of differences by mutual concession
SAT synonyms: jeopardize, endanger, accommodation, mean
After fighting over the car, my brother and I struck a _____, so we could both see our friends.
E1
30.
opulent adj. exhibiting wealth, verging on ostentatious
SAT synonyms: prosperous, affluent, sumptuous, luscious
In the book The Little Princess, the heroine is forced by circumstances to leave her _____ home,
move to a cold garret, and wear the rough clothing of a servant.
Unit 6: Essential SAT Vocabulary – Practice Exercises
anecdote
compromise
exemplary
opulent
tenacious
COMPLETING THE SENTENCE: Choose the word from the word bank that best completes each of the following
sentences. Write the word on the line provided. As you complete the sentences, highlight the context clue (a word or phrase).
exemplary 1. The Amish have developed a reputation for being __________ farmers whose skills are studied
and copied by others.
anecdote 2. During the first week of school, a teacher may ask his/her students to tell a(n) __________ about
themselves, so that the teacher can get to know the students more quickly.
compromised 3. The integrity of the exam was __________ when a student obtained a copy and posted the
answers prior to the test date.
tenacious 4. The pit bull’s grip on his pants leg was so __________ that Mark had to cut away the fabric.
opulent 5. Although millions of his fellow citizens were starving and forced to live in miserable conditions, the
nation's monarch dined on delicacies and lived in a(n) __________ palace.
SYNONYMS:
ANTONYMS:
compromise
1. jeopardize, endanger
tenacious
1. surrendering, yielding
opulent
2. affluent, sumptuous
opulent
2. destitute, poor
tenacious
3. persistent, relentless, resolute
compromise
3. protect, guard
anecdote
4. narration, episode, story
exemplary
4. erring
exemplary
5. commendable, meritorious
CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORD: Choose the right word. Then, highlight the context clue (a word or phrase).
1. To give students an idea of what she is looking for, Mrs. McLanahan displays (exemplary/tenacious)
papers—all of which received an “A” grade—written by her students in past years.
2. The Missouri (Exemplar/Compromise) was an agreement that passed in 1820 between anti-slavery and proslavery factions that prohibited slavery in the former Louisiana Territory with the exception of Missouri.
3. We had been expecting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but midway through the hike, the group’s leader
stopped and drew from his pack a(n) (exemplary/opulent) lunch of roast chicken, fruit salad, and hot tea.
4. Winston Churchill is known for his strength during World War II, and his (tenacious/tenacity), undying
belief that Britain would win the war against Germany.
5. When I am stressed out, my mom likes to tell me (anecdotes/exemplars) from my childhood to make me
smile.