SAT preparation tutoring session Special Triangles (right click and save target as) (updated 07/08/06)
MathSection3,pp.459-464 (right click and save target as) (updated 07/08/06)
MathSection6,pp.407-412 (right click and save target as) (updated 07/08/06)
MathSection6,pp.471-476 (right click and save target as) (updated 07/08/06)
MathSection9,pp.423-427 (right click and save target as) (updated 07/08/06)
The SAT tests how well you take the SAT. It is not a “math” test, although there is some math on it. It is not a “verbal” test, although it tangentially deals with some things that may be called “English.” It tests how well you think the way that the test takers do. It is the most illegitimate test in the world. It is also one of the basic criteria used to determine college admissions and scholarship awards. For that one reason, it is an important test for you. IT IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL EVER DO AS A STUDENT! I cannot emphasize this enough. Ingenuity, thrift, honesty, ethics and the ability to network will serve you much better in the years to come much more than a high SAT score. A high score, however, can be a wonderful stepping-stone, relieving worries about what school to go to and how to pay for school.
Treat the SAT like a game. It’s you against the test. If you were competing against someone for something important, you would probably prepare and “watch tape” on the competition. You can do this with the SAT. The better you know the game and the better you know the opponent, the better you will perform.
General SAT principles
I. The better practiced you are, the better you will do. That is because the SAT asks the same, tired questions (in slightly different ways) over and over every year. The more past questions that you have beaten, the better you will beat the new ones.
II. With the exception of ten math questions, ALL of the right answers are on the page in front of you. If you can eliminate wrong answers, that is as good as getting to the right answers.
III. If you can eliminate ONE wrong answer, statistics prove you must answer the question.
IV. Questions go from easy, to medium, to hard (except Reading Comprehension questions).
V. Easy question è Easy answer
Medium question è Medium answer
Hard question è Hard answer
VI. Bubble smart! Inside out, one page (or even one section) at a time.
VII. Time yourself! Know when any section begins or ends.
VIII. Don’t trip over dollars on your way to pennies (i.e., get all of the easy ones right before worrying about the hard ones).
IX. Use process of elimination to get rid of wrong answers. Actually cross out wrong answers.
Verbal SAT strategies.Vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary! Did I say VOCABULARY?!? The Verbal SAT is a vocabulary test. There is no strategy that helps you get to the right answer that is better than knowing the right word. You must add vocabulary to boost your SAT score the maximum it will go. Ways to boost your vocabulary:
I. Review the SAT lists that you got from yours truly. The list of words presented to you in last year’s Latin class represent the words that have been shown to be statistically most likely to appear on future SATs based on their appearance on past SATs. Mr. Robie doesn’t steer you wrong!
II. Begin acquiring words from Cracking the SAT. The vocabulary lists in the back of the book are great!
III. Buy Princeton Review’s Word Smart. In it you will find a longer list of 823 words that are the type to appear on the SAT.
IV. When you exhaust all of these, as me for more.
V. Read the news. Editorials (not letters to the editor) are the best-written pieces in the paper. Sports is second. Anything is better than nothing. Read. Read. Read. Did I say READ?!?
VI. Use the words. Make it a game. Post them around the house. Reward yourself for learning new words with chocolate. WHATEVER IT TAKES!
Other Verbal SAT strategies.
Each type of verbal SAT question is susceptible to strategies. The best for each are as follows:
I. Sentence completion—Cover up the answer choices and supply your own word.
II. Analogies—Make a concise defining sentence with the words in all-caps, then apply that sentence to the lower-case pairs to see which has the same relationship.
III. Reading Comprehension—Read the italicized section, then catalog the passage by reading the first line of each paragraph.
More Sentence Completion strategies.
I. Use word clues to help you determine the shape of the sentence.
a. Similar—Moreover, similarly, and, __________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
b. Different—However, still, yet, (then and now), nevertheless, _____________________
_________________________________________________________________________
c. Definition—Punctuation (; : –), _____________________________________________
II. If you can’t plug in a word, at least figure out whether the word would be positive or negative. This is an especially useful tool for two-blank sentences.
III. If it is a hard sentence, pick the one that looks the hardest and that you DON’T know, eliminate words that look the easiest and that you DO know (with the exception of SAT words, which are usually correct).
More Analogy strategies.
I. Easy questions have easy answers. Hard questions have hard answers. Eliminate hard choices on easy questions and easy choices on hard questions.
II. If you don’t know one of the answer choice words, don’t eliminate that answer without further analysis.
III. If you don’t know one of the stem words, work backwards.
IV. Eliminate “unrelated pairs.” Some pairs just seem to go together, and such pairs are never right if they don’t have some necessary relationship.
V. Hard questions with words you don’t know as answers are probably right.
More Reading Comprehension strategies.
I. There are two types of questions: General and Specific. General questions tend to ask what the title should be, or what the tone is. Specific questions look for details and often point you to certain line numbers.
II. Line numbers given are rarely enough, so read a bit before and after.
III. Some questions are just like sentence completion questions. Treat them like that.
IV. Right answers on general questions are rarely exclusive. They rarely use words like “all, always, none, never.” Most use “most, several, generally, etc.”
V. Use process of elimination vigorously on reading comprehension.
Math SAT strategies.
The math portion of the SAT does not use nearly as much math as you have been taught. The actual math tested is rather simple. The way in which the questions are asked is difficult. Make sure that you know what the question is asking before you answer it.
General math concepts:
Know the following: Prime Numbers less than 30 (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29); square root of 2=1.4; square root of 3=1.7; pi=3+; 1/5=0.2; 2/5=0.4; 3/5=0.6; 4/5=0.8; ¼=0.25; ¾=0.75; 1/3=0.33; 2/3=0.67; Triangles (3:4:5; 5:12:13; 45/45/90; 30/60/90).
There are three general math concepts that will take you very far: work backwards, plug in your own numbers, draw a chart or a graph or a picture.
Working Backwards. Without a doubt, the best tool on the verbal and math section of the SAT. Use it aggressively whenever you are having any difficulty going forwards.
Plug in your own numbers. Whenever you have variables in the question and the same variables in the answer, then you are wise to plug in numbers that conform to the initial conditions, then use those same numbers in the answer choices. Sometimes units in the question (percent, inches, minutes, et al.) will guide you to select certain numbers for your variables (100, 12, 60, et al.).
Draw a chart or a graph or a picture. When there is a picture, if you don’t write all over it, you will be at a disadvantage to solving the problem. If the question suggests that a graph or a picture will help you, draw one. There are two question types on which you must draw a chart: Ratio questions and Average questions. Refer to Cracking the SAT for the Ratio Box and the Average Pie.Further concepts: Use logic. Hard questions that ask for the greatest or least number of anything will never be the greatest or least number in the answer choices. Eliminate distances. Estimate. Measure with the edge of your answer sheet. On hard questions, you may have to try something twice with different input to make it work.
Quantitative Comparisons. These quick questions will become a breeze to you the more that you practice them. The following types of numbers exist: negatives, zero, fractions, one, numbers greater than one. On medium to hard questions, keep trying numbers from each possible type until you find the relationship. Questions that have more variables in the question than in the answer tend to be D (The John Drehoff axiom).
Grid-ins. Always grid from the far left. You may chose not to do the last one, two or three after you have read the question and have determined whether this seems like a question that you can do. Only consider doing the last three when you are sure that you have all of the other questions in the section correct.
The funny-symbol questions. Merely functions. a&b=3a+6b is the same as f(a,b)=3a+6b. Therefore, 3&7=f(3,7)=3(3)+6(7)=9+42=51. When the functions are nested, start from the inside and work out. Ex.: 3&(-1&4)=3&(3(-1)+6(4))=3&(-3+24)=3&21=3(3)+6(21)=9+126=135. Don’t lose your cool.
Sat Words 1. Apathy-(a-Alpha Privative + peithos-feelings) without caring or feelings; indifference.
2. Incongruous-(in-not + conguens-suitable) not fitting, unsuitable.
3. Insinuate-(in-into + sinus-fold, pocket, heart) to push in or get in in an indirect way; to suggest.
4. Accomplice-(ad-to, toward + cum-with + plico-to fold, wind) person who knowingly aids in the commission of a crime.
5. Terrestrial-(terra-land, earth, Earth) of the land.
6. Gregarious-(grex, gregis-flock, herd) fond of being with others.
7. Legitimate-(lex, legis-law) allowed by law, valid.
8. Controversial-(contra-against + verto-to turn) open to debate
9. Complement-(cum-with + pleo-to fill up) something that completes or makes perfect
10. Fabricate-(faber-craftsman) to make with skill, build or manufacture
11. Ambiguous-(ambi-both + ago, agere-to drive) permitting more than one interpretation
12. Equivocal-(aequus-equal + vocare-to call) Having two or more meanings; vague
13. Intransigent-(in-not + trans-across + ago, agere- to drive) unwilling to agree or compromise.
14. Eclectic-(Greek, ex-out of + lego-choose) selecting the best from various sources
15. Incarcerate-(in-into + carcer-prison) to commit to prison
16. Salutation-(salveo-to be in good health) a greeting
17. Valediction-(valeo-to be strong + dico-to speak or say) a farewell
18. Aberration-(ab-away from + erro, errare-to wander) a deviation from the path; something abnormal
19. Parochial-(parocha-room and board) narrow or limited
20. Provincial-(provincia- province) of a province; lacking refinement or polish
21. Precipitous-(prae-in front of + caput-head) very steep
22. Sacrosanct-(sacer-holy, sacred + sancio, sancire-to consecrate) very holy, most sacred, consecrated
23. Prognosis-(pro-before + gignosco-to know) forecast of what will probably happen
24. Moratorium-(moror, morari-to delay) a sanctioned period where payments are delayed; any negotiated delay in an action
25. Atrophy-(a-alpha privative + tropho-to nourish) bodily wasting; to experience bodily wasting
26. Misanthrope-(misein-to hate +anthropos-man) person who dislikes or distrusts people in general
27. Paucity-(paucus-few) a scarcity or lack
28. Pejorative-(peior-less) tending to make worse; disparaging; deprecatory
29. Parsimonious-(parco, parcere-to spare) too economical; stingy; miserly
30. Aversion-(a, ab-away from + verto, vertere-to turn) a dislike or distaste for something
31. Indifferent-(in-not + dis-separate + fero, ferre, tuli, latus-to bear, carry) not caring either way; neutral
32. Objective-(ob-in front of + iacio, iacere, ieci, iactus-to throw) without bias
33. Discriminate-(dis-separate + crimen, criminis, n.-dividing line) to differentiate; to see the difference
34. Denounce-(de-down from + nuntio, nuntiare-to announce) to speak out against; to condemn
35. Innovate-(novus, -a, -um-new) to be creative; to think of something new
36. Disdain-(dis-not + dignus, -a, um-worthy) arrogant scorn; contempt
37. Discernment-(dis-separate + cerno, cernere, crevi, cretus-to make a distiction) insight; ability to see things clearly
38. Abstract-(a, ab-away from + traho, trahere, traxi, tractus-to drag, pull) theoretical; lacking substance
39. Eccentric-((Grk.) ek-out + kentron-center) not conventional; irregular
40. Benevolent-(bene-well + volo, velle-to wish) kind; good-hearted; generous
41. Pious-(pius, -a, -um-pious, devout) reverent or devout (sometimes only outwardly so)
42. Conciliatory-(concilium-assembly) making peace
43. Resolute-(re-back, again + solvo, solvere, solvi, solutus-to loosen) determined; firm; unwavering
44. Servile-(servus, -i, m.-slave) submissive; subservient; like a slave
45. Reticent-(re-back, again + taceo, tacere, tacui, tacitus-to be silent) restrained; uncommunicative
46. Virulent-(vis, vis, f.-force, strength) extremely poisonous; malignant; full of hate
47. Repudiate-(re-back, again + pudor, pudoris, m.-shame, decency) to reject; to deny
48. Aesthetic-((Grk.) aesthanomai-) artistic; having to do with artistic beauty
49. Prodigal-(pro-in front of + ago, agere, egi, actus-to do, drive) extravagant; wasteful
50. Incessant-(in-not + cesso, cessare-to cease, stop (self)) unceasing; never-ending
51. Plebeian-(plebs, plebis-plebeian) common, vulgar
52. Abnegate-(a, ab-away from + nego, negare-to deny) to deny to oneself; to give up
53. Laudable-(laudo, laudare-to praise) worthy of praise
54. Deter-(de-from, away from + terreo, terrere-to frighten) to prevent; to stop with fear
55. Redundant-(re-back, again +unda, undae, f.-wave) repetitive, unnecessary
56. Infamous-(in-(negator) + fama, famae, f.-rumor, gossip, reputation) having a bad reputation
57. Provocative-(pro-in front of + voco, vocare-to call) exciting, attracting attention
58. Depravity-(de-down from + pravus, -a, -um-bent, crooked) moral corruption
59. Gravity-(gravitas, gravitatis, f.-weight; seriousness) seriousness
60. Extol-(ex-out of + tollo, tollere, sustuli, sublatus-to lift up; exalt) to praise, to lift up
61. Euphony-(Gr. eu-well, pleasant + phone-sound) pleasant sound
62. Deride-(de-down from + rideo, ridere, risi, risus-to laugh) to ridicule, to laugh at comtempuously
63. Insipid-(in-(negator) + sapio, sapere, sapivi-to taste, to have the flavor of) dull, banal
64. Austere-(Gr. austeros-dry) unadorned, stern, severely simple
65. Expedite-(ex-out of + pes, pedis, m.-foot) to make faster or easier
66. Novel-(novus, -a, -um-new) new, original
67. Philanthropy-(Gr. philein-to love + anthropos-man) love of mankind, act of generosity
68. Advocate-(ad-to, toward + voco, vocare-to call) to speak in favor of, to support
69. Vacillate-(vacillo, vacillare-to wave) to be indecisive; to waver back and forth
70. Alleviate-(ad-to, toward + levis, leve-light) to lessen; to relieve; to make bearable
71. Conspicuous-(cum-with + spiceo, spicere, spexi, spectum-to look at) standing out, obvious
72. Negligence-(nec-not + lego, legere, legi, lectus-pick out, choose; read) carelessness
73. Profound-(pro-before + fundus, -i, m.-bottom) deep; insightful
74. Dissent-(dis-separate + sentio, sentire, sensi, sensus-to perceive, think) disagreement
75. Volition-(volo, velle, volui-to wish) will; conscious choice
76. Voluntary-(volo, velle, volui-to wish) willing; unforced
77. Didactic-((Grk.) didasko-to teach) instructive; intended to teach
78. Disparate-(dis-in a different direction + paro, parare-to get (ready)) different; incompatible
79. Disparage-(dis-in a different direction + par, paris-equal) to belittle; to speak unkindly
80. Compliant-(compleo, complere, complevi, completus-to complete, fill up) yielding; submissive
81. Prosaic-(prosa, prosae, f.-prose (not poetry)) dull; unimaginative
82. Profuse-(pro-in front of + fundo, fundere, fudi, fusus-to flow) flowing; extravagant
83. Expedient-(e ex-out of + pes, pedis, m.-foot) providing immediate advantage
84. Fastidious-(fastidium, -i, n. loathing) meticulous; with attention to detail
85. Belligerent-(bellum, -i, n.-war + gero, gerere, gessi, gestus-to carry on) combative; quarrelsome
86. Astute-(astus,astus m, cunning) perceptive; intelligent
87. Censure-(censeo, censere, censui, census-to think, estimate) to condemn severely
88. Mitigate-(mitis, mite-soft, mild) to lessen the severity
89. Reprehensible-(re-back, again + prehendo, prehendere, prehendi, prehensus-to grasp, arrest) worthy of blame or censure
90. Engender-(gens, gentis, f.-race, tribe, family, kind) to create or produce
91. Exemplary-(exemplum, -i, n.-example) outstanding; setting a good example
92. Relegate-(re-back, again + lego, legere, legi, lectus-choose, select) to banish; to send away
93. Anecdote-(a-not + ex-out (of) + do, dare, dedi, datus-give) brief entertaining story (unpublished)
94. Fallacious-(fallax, fallacis-false) false
95. Acclaim-(ad-to, toward + clamo, clamare-to shout) praise; applause; admiration
96. Uniform-(unus, -a, -um-one + forma, -ae, f.-shape, appearance) consistent; unchanging; the same for everyone
97. Incoherent-(in-not + cum-with + haereo, haerere, haeresi, haeresus-to cling) jumbled, chaotic; impossible to understand
98. Repress-(re-back, again + premo, premere, pressi, pressus-to press) to hold down
99. Articulate-(artus, artus, m.-joint) to speak clearly and well
100. Solicit-(solicito, -are-to shake, disturb) to ask for, to request, to seek
101. Reproach-(re + prope-near) to scold
102. Condescend-(cum + de + scando, scandere, scandi, scansus-to climb) to stoop down to another’s level; to patronize
103. Orthodox-(orthos-correct, right + doxa-opinion) conventional; adhering to established ways
104. Indolence-(in-not + doleo, dolere, dolui, dolitus-to suffer pain) laziness
105. Congenial-(cum + genius, -i, m.-spirit) pleasant; agreeably suitable
106. Preclude-(prae-in front of, before + claudo, claudere, clausi, clausus-to close) to prevent; to make things impossible; to shut out
107. Apprehensive-(ad-to, toward + prehendo, prehendere, prehendi, prehensus-to grasp, arrest) worried, anxious
108. Elaborate-(ex + labor, laboris, m.-effort, work) detailed; careful; thorough
109. Arrogant-(ad + rogo, (1)-ask) feeling superior to others; boastful
110. Elusive-(ex + ludo, ludere, lusi, lusus-to play, mock, deceive) hard to pin down; evasive
111. Efface-(ex + facies, faciei, f.-face, appearance) to erase; to rub away the features of
112. Taciturn-(taceo, tacere, tacui, tacitus-to be silent) untalkative
113. Ameliorate-(melior, melius-better) to make better
114. Acquiesce-(ad + quies, quietis, f.-quiet, rest, sleep) to give in; to agree
115. Dubious-(dubito, (1)-hesitate, doubt) doubtful; uncertain
116. Flagrant-(flagro, (1)-burn, blaze) shocking; outstandingly bad
117. Concise-(cum + caedo, caedere, cecidi, caesus-to hack at, cut) brief and to the point; succinct
118. Immutable-(in-not + muto, (1)-to change) unchangeable; permanent
119. Static-(sto, stare, steti, status-to stand, stand still) stationary; not moving
120. Credulous-(credo, credere, credidi, creditus-trust, believe) believing, gullible
121. Blasphemy-((Grk.) blas-bad, ugly + phemi-to say, speak) irreverence; an insult
122. Coalesce-(cum + alo, alere, alui, alitus-to nourish, feed) to fuse; to unite; to come together
123. Cryptic-((Grk.) kruptos-hidden) mysterious
124. Levity-(levis, leve-light) lightness; frivolity; unseriousness
125. Ambivalent-(ambo-both + valeo, valere, valui-to be strong, be of value) undecided; hot and cold
126. Innate-(in-in + nascor, nasci, natus sum-to be born) existing from birth; inborn; inherent
127. Sycophant-( ) one who sucks up to others
128. Amiable-( ) friendly
129. Esoteric-( ) hard to understand; peculiar
130. Extraneous-( ) irrelevant; extra; unimportant
131. Tedious-( ) boring
132. Caustic-( ) like acid; corrosive
133. Inadvertent-( ) lax, careless; without intention
134. Exhaustive-( ) thorough, complete
135. Unprecedented-( ) novel; happening for the first time
136. Digress-( ) to go off the subject
137. Appease-( ) to soothe; to pacify by giving in
138. Frivolous-( ) not serious; without merit
139. Instigate-( ) to provoke; to stir up
140. Sagacious-( ) wise; sage
141. Predecessor-( ) forerunner; someone who came before another
142. Jeopardy-( ) danger
143. Tangible-( ) touchable; palpable
144. Indulgent-( ) lenient; yielding to desire
145. Remorse-( ) sadness; regret
146. Pivotal-( ) crucial; very important
147. Scrupulous-( ) hesitant for ethical reasons; strict; careful
148. Refute-( ) to disprove
149. Respite-( ) a rest; a period of relief
150. Stoic-( ) indifferent to pleasure and pain (or any emotion)
151. Clarity-(clarus, -a, -um-clear) clearness in thought or expression
152. Abdicate-(ab-from + dico, dicere, dixi, dictum-to speak, say) to formally give up power
153. Alleviate-(ad-to + levis, -e-light) to ease a pain or burden
154. Dictatorial-(dico, dicere, dixi, dictum-to speak, say) domineering; oppressively overbearing
155. Auspicious-(avis, avis, f.-bird + specio, specere, spexi, spectum-to look at) attended by favorable circumstances
156. Omnipotent-(omnis, -e-all + possum, posse, potui-to be able) all-powerful
157. Tenacious-(teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum-to hold, grasp) persistent holding to a belief
158. Convoluted-(cum + volvo, volvere, volvi, volutum-to roll, turn) intricate, complex
159. Dilatory-(dis-separate + fero, ferre, tuli, latum-to bear, carry) tending to delay, not prompt
160. Enervate-(e,ex-out of + nervus, -i, m.-tendon, muscle) to take the strength out of, to weaken
161. Soporific-(spoor, soporis, m.-deep sleep + fio, fieri, factus sum-to become) causing sleep or sleepiness
162. Paucity-(pauci, -ae, -a-few) fewness, scarcity, a lack of
163. Superfluous-(super-over, above + fluo, fluere, fluxi, fluctum-to flow) extra, unnecessary
164. Egregious-(e, ex-out of + grex, gregis, m.-flock) conspicuously bad or offensive
165. Patronizing-(patron, patronis, m.-patron, social superior) treating in a condescending manner
166. Conscientious-(cum + scio, scire, scivi, scitus-to know) thoughtful
167. Substantiate-(sub-under + sto, stare, steti, statum-to stand) to support with proof
168. Recalcitrant-(re-back, again + calx, calcis, f.-heel, foot) stubborn, defiant of authority
169. Exculpate-(e, ex-out of + culpa, -ae, f.-blame) to free from guilt or blame
170. Fabricated-(faber, fabra, fabrum-skilled, (n.) craftsman) made; concocted in order to deceive
171. Cogent-(cogo, cogere, coegi, coactum-collect, compel) convincing; reasonable
172. Effusive-(e, ex-out of, from + fundo, fundere, fudi, fusum-pour, pour out) emotionally expressive, gushy
173. Florid-(flos, floris, m.-flower) flowery or elaborate (speech)
174. Abstruse-(a, ab-away from, from + trudo, trudere, trusi, trusum-push, shove) hard to understand
175. Sedentary-(sedeo, sedere, sedi, sessum-to sit) not migratory, settled
176. Gratuitous-(gratus, -a, -um-welcome, pleasing) given freely; unearned; unwarranted
177. Propriety-(proprius, -a, -um-own, very own) correctness of behavior
178. Imperious-(impero, -are-order, command) arrogantly overbearing, dictatorial
179. Annihilate-(ad-to toward + nihil-nothing) destroy completely
180. Adamant-((Grk.)a-negation + damazo-tame, break) extremely stubborn
181. Deleterious-(deleo, delere, delevi, deletum-to destroy) having a harmful effect; injurious
182. Capricious-(caper, capri, m.-goat) impulsive and unpredictable
183. Vacuous-(vacuus, -a, -um-empty, void) devoid of matter; empty
184. Opulent-(ops, opis, f.-power, wealth) showing of great wealth
185. Lucid-(lux, lucis, f.-light) easily understood; clear
186. Volatile-(volo, -are-to fly, speed) quick to evaporate, unstable, explosive
187. Peripheral-((Grk.) peri-around + phero-to bear, carry) unimportant
188. Hedonistic-((Grk.) hedone-pleasure) pleasure seeking; indulgent
189. Idiom-(idem, eadem, idem-the same, exactly this) a peculiar expression
190. Benefactor-(bene-well + facio-make, do) a generous donor
191. Brevity-(brevis, -e-short, brief) briefness
192. Apocryphal-((Grk.) apo-from + kruptos-hidden, mysterious) of doubtful origin; false
193. Virtuoso-(virtus, -tutis, f.-manliness, good quality) masterful musician; expert of any field
194. Animosity-(a-negation + amo, -are-love) resentment, hostility, ill will
195. Deplete-(de-from, down from + pleo, plere-fill) to use up, reduce, lessen
196. Amity-(amo, -are-to love) friendship
197. Voluminous-(volumen, -minis, n.-book > volvo-to roll) very large; spacious
198. Lethargy-((Grk.) lethe-forgetfulness + a-negation + ergon-work) laziness, sluggishness, indifference
199. Trepidation-(trepido, -are-to tremble) fear, apprehension
200. Desecrate-(de-from, down from + sacer, -cra, -crum-holy, accursed) to pollute a holy place
201. Nascent-(nascor, nasci, nactus sum-to be born) coming into existence; emerging
202. Tenet-(teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum-to hold) a principle held as true
203. Fortuitous-(fors, ___ abl. forte-chance, fate) accidental; occurring by chance
204. Furtive–(furtum, -i ,n.-theft, robbery) secretive
205. Supercilious-(super-over, above + cilium, -i, n.-eyebrow) haughty; patronizing
206. Verbose-(verbum, -i, n.-word) wordy; overly talkative
207. Hackneyed-((Eng.) a horse carriage) banal; overused; trite (a cliché is a hackneyed expression)
208. Amass-((Fr.) a-toward + masse- a heap) to accumulate
209. Vehement-(vehemens, -ntis- violent, furious) urgent; passionate
210. Assuage-(ad + suavis, -e-sweet) to soothe; to pacify; to ease the pain of; to relieve
211. Prodigious-(pro-before + dico, dicere, dixi, dictum-to say, speak) extraordinary; enormous
212. Torpor-(torpeo, torpere, torpui-to be sluggish) sluggishness; inactivity; apathy
213. Innocuous-(in-not + noceo, nocere, nocui, noctum-to harm, do harm to) harmless; banal
214. Pedestrian-(pes, pedis, m.-foot) common; ordinary; banal (secondary meaning)
215. Subtle-(sub-under, to a lesser degree + tela, -ae, f.-a weaving tool) not obvious; able to make fine distinctions; ingenious; crafty
216. Prudent-(prudens, -ntis-foreseeing > pro-before + video-see) careful; having foresight
217. Retract-(re-back, again + traho, trahere, traxi, tractum-to drag) to take back; withdraw; pull back
218. Facilitate-(facilis, -e-easy to do, easy) to make easier
219. Diffident-(dis-negation + fides, fidei, f.-faith, trust) timid; lacking in self-confidence
220. Nullify-(nullus, -a, -um-none + fio, fieri, factus sum-to become) to make unimportant
221. Impetuous-(in-not + peto, petere, petivi, petitum-to seek, ask for) characterized by sudden energy or emotion
222. Mercurial-(Mercury-the Roman messenger god) Quick and changeable in mood
223. Prerogative-(pre-before + rogo, -are, -avi, -atum-to ask, ask for) an exclusive right, advantage
224. Salubrious-(salus, salutis, f.-health, safety) promoting health or welfare
225. Arbiter-(arbitror, -ari, atus sum-to judge, decide) one who decides a disputed matterSAT Words II
1. Fanatic - one who is extremely devoted to a cause or idea
2. Enhance - to make better; to augment
3. Retract - to take back; to withdraw; to pull back
4. Rescind - to repeal; to take back formally
5. Zealous - fervent; enthusiastically devoted to something
6. Benign - gentle; not harmful; kind; mild
7. Emulate - to strive to equal or excel, usually through imitation
8. Innumerable - too many to number or count; many
9. Meander - to wander slowly, like a winding river
10. Authoritarian - like a dictator
11. Brawn - bulk; muscles
12. Contrite - deeply apologetic; remorseful
13. Exemplify - to serve as an example of
14. Hypothetical - uncertain; unproven
15. Ambulatory - able to walk; walking
16. Drone - to talk on and on in a dull way
17. Gullible - overly trusting; willing to believe anything
18. Marred - damaged; bruised
19. Rejuvenate - to make young and strong again
20. Skeptical - doubting (opposite of gullible)
21. Animated - alive; moving
22. Authentic - real
23. Bias - prejudice; tendency; tilt
24. Blithe - carefree; cheerful
25. Dearth - a lack of; scarcity
26. Divert - to change the direction of; to alter the course of; to amuse
27. Enthrall - to thrill
28. Heed - to listen to
29. Hindrance - an obstruction; an annoying interference or delay
30. Irascible - irritable
31. Merger - a joining or marriage
32. Nostalgia - a sentimental longing for the past; homesickness
33. Pretentious - pompous; self-important
34. Saccharine - sweet; excessively or disgustingly sweet
35. Stanza - a section of a poem; verse
36. Venerate - to revere; to treat as something holy, especially because of great age
37. Vilify - to say vile things; to defame
38. Manifest - visible; evident
39. Conventional - common; customary; unexceptional
40. Partisan - one who supports a particular person, cause, or idea
41. Contentious - argumentative; quarrelsome
42. Lament - to mourn
43. Allusion - an indirect reference to something else, especially something in literature; a hint
44. Inherent - part of the essential nature of something; intrinsic
45. Paradox - a true statement or phenomenon that nonetheless seems to contradict itself; an untrue statement or phenomenon that nonetheless seems logical
46. Cynic - one who deeply distrusts human nature; one who believes people are motivated only by selfishness
47. Exposition - expounding or explaining; explanatory treatise
48. Consensus - unanimity or near unanimity
49. Comprehensive - covering or including everything
50. Sagacious - wise; possessing wisdom derived from experience or learning
51. Precipitate - to cause or happen abruptly
52. Pervade - to spread throughout
53. Discourse - to converse; to formally discuss a subject
54. Conjure - to summon or bring into being as if by magic
55. Sanction - authorize or approve; ratify or confirm
56. Genial - cheerful and pleasant; friendly; helpful
57. Inert - inactive; sluggish; not reacting chemically
58. Levee - an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river erratic unpredictable or wandering
59. Luminous - giving off light; glowing; bright
60. Abstinent - abstaining; voluntarily not doing something
61. Placid - pleasantly calm; peaceful
62. Exuberant - extremely joyful or vigorous; profuse in growth
63. Impede - to hinder; to obstruct; to slow something down
64. Permeate - to spread or seep through; to penetrate
65. Audacity - boldness; reckless daring; impertinence
66. Indignant - angry, especially as a result of something unjust or unworthy
67. Implicit - implied rather than expressly stated
68. Renascence/renaissance - a rebirth or revival
69. Litigate - to try in court; to engage in legal proceedings
70. Vex - to annoy; to pester; to confuse
71. Anomaly - an aberration; an irregularity; a deviation
72. Bereave - to deprive or leave desolate, especially through death
73. Connoisseur - an expert, particularly in matters of art or taste
74. Corroborate - to confirm; to back up with evidence
75. Frenetic - frantic; frenzied
76. Polemic - a powerful argument made in refutation of something
77. Synthesis - the combining of parts to form a whole
78. Feasible - able to be done
79. Forbear - to refrain from; to abstain
80. Genre - an artistic class or category
81. Vindicate - to clear from all blame or suspicion
82. Squalid - filthy, repulsive, wretched, degraded
83. Inept - clumsy; incompetent
84. Mandatory - authoritatively ordered or commanded; necessary
85. Dissseminate - to scatter or spread widely
86. Idyllic - charming in a rustic way; naturally peaceful
87. Pristine - original; unspoiled; pure
88. Prodigy - an extremely talented child; an extraordinary accomplishment or occurrence
89. Frugal - economical; penny-pinching
90. Qualify - to modify or restrict
91. Decorous - in good taste; orderly
92. Infer - to conclude; to deduce
93. Ostentatious - excessively conspicuous; showing off
94. Pathology - the science of diseases; any deviation from a healthy, normal condition
95. Plumb - to measure the depth of something
96. Spurious - doubtful; bogus; false
97. Subjugate - to subdue and dominate; to enslave
98. Visionary - a dreamer; someone with impractical goals or ideas about the future
99. Reciprocal - mutual; shared; interchangeable
100. Antipathy - firm dislike; dislike; hatred
101. Dissonant - inharmonious; in disagreement
102. Palliate - to hide the seriousness of something with excuses or apologies
103. Substantive - having substance; real; essential; solid; substantial
104. Surreptitious - sneaky; secret
105. Flippant - frivolously shallow and disrespectful
106. Impervious - not allowing anything to pass through; impenetrable
107. Judicious - exercising sound judgment
108. Laconic - using few words, especially to the point of being rude
109. Piquant - pungent
110. Satiric - using sarcasm or irony
111. Sullen - gloomy or dismal
112. Tacit - implied; not spoken
113. Tractable - easily managed or controlled; obedient
114. Impromptu - without preparation; on the spur of the moment
115. Parallel - a comparison made between two things
116. Sterile - unimaginative; unfruitful; infertile
117. Debauchery - corruption by sensuality; intemperance; wild living
118. Disinterested - unbiased
119. Fecund - fertile; productive
120. Hermetic - impervious to external influence; airtight
121. Foster - to promote the growth or development of
122. Transitory - not staying for a long time; temporary
123. Cacophony - a harsh-sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds
124. Goad - to urge forcefully; to taunt someone into doing something
125. Implement - to carry out
126. Ingenuous - free from deceit or guile; unwarily simple; candid; naïve
127. Malleable - easy to shape or bend
128. Pungent - forceful; sharp or biting to the taste or smell
129. Savor - to linger on the taste or smell of something
130. Correlate - to find or show the relationship of two things
131. Facetious - humorous; not serious; clumsily humorous
132. Kinship - natural or family relationship
133. Petulant - rude; cranky; ill tempered
134. Rampart - a fortification; a bulwark or defense
135. Temerity - boldness; recklessness; audacity
136. Truculent - savagely brutal; aggressively hostile
137. Incisive - cutting right to the heart of the matter
138. Abstemious - sparing or moderate, especially in eating and drinking
139. Alacrity - cheerful readiness; liveliness or eagerness
140. Allocate - to distribute; assign; allot
141. Arid - extremely dry; unimaginative; dull
142. Beget - to cause or produce; to engender
143. Conundrum - a puzzle; a riddle
144. Debacle - violent breakdown; sudden overthrow
145. Doggerel - comic, loose verse
146. Exorbitance - an exceedingly high amount
147. Garrulous - extremely chatty or talkative; wordy or diffuse
148. Maverick - a nonconformist; a rebel
149. Turpitude - shameful wickedness or depravity
150. Axiom - a self-evident rule or truth; a widely accepted saying
151. Beneficent - doing good
152. Circumlocution - an indirect expression; use of wordy or evasive language
153. Impugn - to attack, especially to attack the truth or integrity of something
154. Incursion - a hostile invasion
155. Invective - insulting or abusive speech
156. Placate - to pacify; to appease; to soothe
157. Temperament - one’s disposition or character
158. Antiseptic - free from germs; exceptionally clean
159. Lax - not strict or firm; careless or negligent; loose or slack
160. Accolade - an award or honor; high praise
161. Assiduous - hard-working; busy; diligent
162. Brook - to bear or tolerate, to put up with something
163. Desiccate - to dry out
164. Erudite - scholarly; deeply learned
165. Flag - to weaken; to slow down
166. Impudent - bold, impertinent
167. Baleful - menacing, harmful
168. Divergent - differing in opinion; deviating
169. Effluvium - a disagreeable or noxious vapor; an escaping gas
170. Evanescent - vanishing or fading; scarcely perceptible
171. Exigent - demanding prompt action; urgent
172. Exonerate - to free completely from blame
173. Flaunt - to show off; to display ostentatiously
174. Improvident - lacking prudent foresight; careless
175. Ineluctable - inescapable; unavoidable
176. Mellifluous - sweetly flowing
177. Oscillate - to swing back and forth; to fluctuate
178. Ossify - to convert into bone; to become rigid
179. Probity - integrity; uprightness; honesty
180. Proselytize - to convert someone from one religion or doctrine to another; to recruit converts to a religion or doctrine
181. Pundit - a learned person; an expert in a particular field
182. Recondite - hard to understand; over one’s head
183. Spendthrift - extravagant or wasteful, especially with money
184. Vacuous - lacking ideas or intelligence
185. Coda - a passage concluding a composition
186. Penchant - strong taste or liking
187. Cognizant - perceptive; observant
188. Gainsay - to deny; to speak or act against
189. Garner - to gather and store
190. Obdurate - stubborn; inflexible
191. Propinquity - nearness
192. Ribald - vulgar or indecent speech or language, as in a ribald joke
193. Sinuous - having many curves
194. Veracity - truthfulness
195. Chronology - an order of events from earliest to latest
196. Economical - frugal, thrifty
197. Conjoin - to join or act together
198. Panegyric - lofty praise
199. Pedagogue - a strict, overly academic teacher
200. Reprobate - a wicked, sinful, depraved person
201. Untoward - unfavorable or unfortunate; improper
202. Welter - a confused mass; a commotion or turmoil
203. Inchoate - just beginning; not organized or orderly
204. Problematic - doubtful or questionable
205. Timbre - the quality of a sound independent of pitch and loudness
206. Disavow - to deny
207. Gerrymander - to divide a state or county into election districts to gain political advantage
208. Repugnant - distasteful or offensive
209. Taut - tightly drawn, as a rope; emotionally tense
210. Cajole - to deceptively persuade someone to do something he or she doesn’t want to do
211. Discomfit - to confuse, deject, frustrate, deceive
212. Accrete - to increase by growth or addition
213. Contumacious - stubbornly rebellious or disobedient
214. Fulsome - disgusting or repulsive
215. Homeostasis - the tendency of an organic system to maintain internal stability
216. Hone - to sharpen
217. Insolvent - unable to pay one’s bills
218. Ligneous - woodlike
219. Motility - spontaneous movement
220. Munificent - very generous; lavish
221. Neophyte - a beginner
222. Rivet - to fix one’s attention on
223. Saturnine - a sluggish, gloomy temperament
224. Viscous - thick and sticky
