LANGUAGE OF THE TEST 150 - LONG EXPLANATION

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Context is king on the new SAT! On the Reading Test, context refers to the surrounding textual “environment” where something (usually a word or phrase) is found. For example, you will only be asked for a word’s meaning in the context of a particular passage. That means you should not rely on any prior association with that word when you answer a vocab question; instead, you need to figure out what the word means in the particular sentence or context as it is used on the test.

Question 2

Argument

Answer 2

Argument is the name of the game on the new SAT. In the case of the new SAT, an argument is a reading passage (with or without an informational graphic) that advances a claim and supports that claim with evidence

Question 3

Claim

Answer 3

Claim has many meanings but if you spot it on the SAT, it will most likely refer to an argument’s main point – what the writer is trying to persuade you to believe. There could be more than one claim in an argument, but the reading passages on the SAT will most likely have one central (or main) claim that is supported by different types of evidence

Question 4

Counterargument

Answer 4

When a writer builds an argument, he or she may include a counterargument to show how others may view the issue differently. Then, the writer shoots down the counterargument to show you how superior his or her point of view is. For example, if you are arguing for year-round school, you may include a counterargument about how others think summer vacation is important. Then, you could refute that counterargument by explaining that many teenagers get in trouble over summer break.

Question 5

Evidence

Answer 5

Evidence is not just the stuff you collect at a crime scene. On the SAT Reading Test, textual evidence is what supports an argument’s central claim. It could take the form of examples, stats, facts, etc. Sometimes you will answer a question, and the next question will ask you to identify the evidence that led you to that previous conclusion or answer.

Question 6

Rhetorical

Answer 6

A rhetorical effect is achieved through the artful use of language. You will read persuasive arguments on the new SAT which will most likely be chock full of persuasive rhetoric. It will be your job to identify those examples and how they affect the reader. For example, Obama employed the rhetorical device of alliteration when he said, “They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different, and difficult places…” in reference to the American armed forces.

Question 7

Appeal

Answer 7

On the SAT, the word appeal refers to a rhetorical appeal. Since the SAT prioritizes persuasive arguments, you may be asked to identify what types of appeals a writer has used in a passage. For example, a writer might pull on your heartstrings with the rhetorical appeal of pathos.

Question 8

Data

Answer 8

Data usually refers to numbers. On the new SAT, you are most likely going to have to interpret data in the form of some type of informational graphic (e.g., a graph, a table, or a chart).

Question 9

Graph

Answer 9

Not to be confusing, but a graph is a type of informational graphic you may see on the new SAT. It could be a line graph or a bar graph, or even a pie chart. Regardless of the type of graph, you will be asked to interpret it and probably have to determine how it relates to a corresponding reading passage.

Question 10

Table

Answer 10

We’re not talking furniture here. On the SAT, you will be expected to interpret tables of data – that means a set of facts or numbers most likely displayed in columns and rows. Think of the tables you have to complete when writing a lab report; that’s the type of table you will most likely need to make sense of on the SAT.

Question 11

Author

Answer 11

An author is a writer, and you will spend most of your time on the Reading section of the SAT trying to figure out what messages different authors are trying to express through their writing. Be careful not to confuse an author with a narrator. A narrator is someone who is telling a story. So, an author can create a fictional narrator to tell a story. For example, J.D. Salinger was an author who created the fictional narrator Holden Caulfield to tell his story in The Catcher in the Rye.

Question 12

Narrator

Answer 12

A narrator is the one telling a story. Jane Eyre is the fictional narrator of the novel Jane Eyre, but she didn’t write it. Charlotte Bronte was the author of Jane Eyre; she is the one who put pen to paper. Beware: don’t confuse a narrator with an author on the SAT.

Question 13

Perspective

Answer 13

Your perspective is your point of view; it’s how you see something. On the SAT Reading Test, you may be asked to interpret a writer’s perspective (or a narrator’s perspective) on an issue

Question 14

Explicit

Answer 14

Explicit points are made directly; you won’t have to read between the lines to find them in a reading passage. If an SAT question asks you about what a writer has explicitly stated, you better head back to the passage to find it. It will be right there in front of you. Explicit is the opposite of implicit, meaning “implied.”

Question 15

Implicit

Answer 15

Can you see the word imply in the word implicit? That can help you remember that implicit is an adjective to describe something that is not directly (or explicitly) stated. On the SAT, you will be continuously trying to figure out the writers’ implicit messages.

Question 16

Allude

Answer 16

Answering reading comprehension questions often requires you to try to figure out what an author really means, even if he or she is not directly stating it. You may see the word allude used on the SAT, to connect an author with some indirect reference he or she has made. For example, an author might refer to the “flood to end all floods” as a way to allude to the flood in the Book of Genesis. The author doesn’t directly mention the Bible story, but he or she is alluding to it

Question 17

Imply

Answer 17

To imply something is to hint at it, without directly stating it. On the SAT Reading Test, you will be asked to figure out what a passage implies. In order to answer such a question, you will have to make inferences based on the clues the writer has provided you. Think of yourself as a textual detective!

Question 18

Infer

Answer 18

Don’t confuse infer and imply. When you are asked to infer on the SAT, you are interpreting what a writer has implied or hinted at “in between the lines.” The idea, conclusion, or meaning that you infer is called an inference

Question 19

Foreshadow

Answer 19

To foreshadow is to hint at something beforehand. For example, an author might foreshadow a tragedy in a work of fiction by describing dark storm clouds gathering before the event. On the SAT, you may be asked to identify an example of foreshadowing or the event being foreshadowed.

Question 20

Hypothesis

Answer 20

Since the SAT Reading Test will include science passages, you better learn that a hypothesis is a theory or idea that you test through an experiment. For example, you might have to read about an experiment and identify the main hypothesis and how evidence either supported or refuted that hypothesis

Question 21

Capture

Answer 21

When you capture an idea, you describe it really well. On the SAT, you’ll have to answer questions that may ask you to choose the best answer option that captures an author’s point. This word is used like other words you may see on the SAT, like characterize and describe

Question 22

Charaterize

Answer 22

Even though you can see the word character inside characterize, this verb does not just apply to how an author describes or builds a fictional character. A writer could characterize anything. As you can see in this question stem, years can even be characterized. For example the 1920s were characterized by many writers (especially F. Scott Fitzgerald) as a time of decadence.

Question 23

Item

Answer 23

As weird as it may sound, an item on the SAT is a question. So, when the College Board tells you that you may want to review “the sample items,” they really mean the sample questions. Go figure

Question 24

Summarize

Answer 24

To summarize is to retell something without interpreting it. You may be asked to identify the best summary of a reading passage on the SAT. In that case, choose the statement which captures or summarizes the main points of the passage “in a nutshell.”

Question 25

Analyze

Answer 25

When you are asked to analyze a reading passage on the SAT, you are doing more than just trying to figure out what it is saying on the surface level. Analysis requires figuring out how the different parts of the passage relate to its overall message and its effects on the reader.

Question 26

Purpose

Answer 26

The word purpose shows up often on the Reading Test of the SAT. When you are being asked about purpose, you are trying to get inside a writer’s head – trying to figure out why he or she made certain decisions during the writing process. You are sometimes asked to identify a reading passage’s overall purpose, or you could also be asked about the purpose of a single paragraph or instance of word choice

Question 27

Focus

Answer 27

Think of a magnifying glass enlarging an image. That’s what a writer does for a reader when he or she focuses on a particular idea; that idea becomes dominant. On the SAT, the word focus could be used in a question or in an answer. A question could begin, “Over the course of the passage, the main focus of the narrative shifts from…” Then, your job would be to figure out how the focus changed in the passage.

Question 28

Central

Answer 28

You will most likely see the word central before the word claim on the new SAT. Central in this context means “main.” If you are asked to identify an argument’s central claim, then you are trying to figure out the main point the writer is trying to get across

Question 29

Point of view

Answer 29

If you flip point of view around and take out of, you get viewpoint. Your point of view is your viewpoint, your perspective, the way you see things either physically or mentally. On the SAT, if you encounter the term point of view, it will most likely refer to a writer’s mental stance on an issue. In an argument, the writer’s point of view is usually evident in the central claim

Question 30

Emphasize

Answer 30

To emphasize is to stress or call attention to something. Writers are always trying to emphasize certain ideas, so this word could show up often in answer choices in Reading Test questions on the SAT. Why does a writer use rhetorical devices? To EMPHASIZE, of course! (The hard part is trying to figure out WHAT they are emphasizing.)

Question 31

Highlight

Answer 31

To highlight is to emphasize. Think of when you use a highlighter to make certain words stand out in color. Writers highlight ideas without highlighters; they use language. On the SAT, you may be asked a question like “The main purpose of the passage is to…” and an answer option could begin, “to highlight….” Those crafty SAT writers have to come up with multiple ways to say the same thing: highlight, emphasize, stress, underscore, etc.

Question 32

Underscore

Answer 32

To underscore something is to give it emphasis, a little extra oomph. Think about underlining something that you are reading because you want it to stand out. Authors underscore ideas by using strong word choice or rhetorical devices. This word has a lot in common with highlight; you may see either or both of these words on the SAT – used to refer to how an author makes certain ideas stand out in a passage.

Question 33

Adapt

Answer 33

When you adapt a text, you change or tweak it in some way. You may see the word adapted in SAT reading directions to let you know that what you are about to read has been adapted from an original text. Just remember that you are not expected to know anything about the original form of the text; you are only being tested on your analysis of the adapted reading passage on the exam

Question 34

Validate

Answer 34

When you support the truth or value of something, you validate it. On the SAT, you may see that one passage validates an idea asserted in another passage. Or you may read about a scientific experiment that validates a particular principle. Validating is the name of the game when you are trying to prove a point.

Question 35

Address

Answer 35

Although the word address might make you think of your street address, when you see address on the SAT, it is most likely referring to the verb meaning to address a topic or issue. For example, a reading passage may address the significance of pollution on the environment. It’s a formal way of saying the reading passage is “about” the particular topic

Question 36

Refer

Answer 36

On the SAT Reading Test, you’ll see refer a lot, especially in questions that read, “The author refers to x primarily to suggest …” In this context refers to is a more formal way to say “brings up.” You might also see the noun form reference used in a similar way (e.g., The author’s reference to x …).

Question 37

Cite

Answer 37

The verb cite has nothing to do with the nouns sight or site. When you cite something, you are giving credit where credit is due in a piece of writing. You can cite a source formally with a citation (like you would in a research paper) or you can informally cite something as you refer to it in a piece of writing. An SAT Reading question could begin, “Which choice does the author explicitly cite as…..” In this case, head back to the passage to find the direct reference

Question 38

Tone

Answer 38

Tone refers to an author’s attitude or point of view toward his or her subject. A line, paragraph, or an entire passage could be described as communicating a gloomy tone, an optimistic tone, a playful tone, a critical tone, etc. You get the idea. We think that tone is such an important concept on the Reading Test of the SAT, we created a whole other series of word lists that are dedicated to teaching words commonly used to describe tone!

Question 39

Character

Answer 39

The word character is so important, we decided to put it in twice – one for each meaning that you will most likely see on the SAT. You may see the word being used to indicate a fictional character in a reading passage. When you read the one passage from U.S. or world literature on the new SAT, be on the lookout for this type of character.

Question 40

Suggest

Answer 40

When you see the word suggest on the Reading Test, it means to imply or to indirectly say something. You’ll see this word a lot, most often used in questions about what a passage or author most strongly suggests. However, you could also be asked to figure out what a graphic suggests or even an example of word choice.

Question 41

Suggestion

Answer 41

Suggestion is the noun form of the verb suggest. When you see it used on the Reading Test, it’s just another way to refer to something an author has asserted, either directly or indirectly. It will most likely refer to one of many ideas being suggested in a passage, probably not the primary claim of an argument.

Question 42

Reinforce

Answer 42

To reinforce is to make stronger. On the SAT, if you see the word reinforce, it will most likely be referring to supporting (or making stronger) an idea. For example, you could be asked why a writer uses a lot of repetition in an argument, and the answer option might state that the writer uses repetition to reinforce a particular call to action.

Question 43

Restate

Answer 43

When you restate something, you say or write it again. However, sometimes on the Reading Test, you may see the word used more loosely: to indicate repeating an idea but not by using the exact same words. For example, a passage could restate an idea in different terms.

Question 44

Develop

Answer 44

When you see the word develop on the SAT Reading Test, it usually has to do with developing ideas throughout a piece of writing. A writer cannot usually make his or her case in one sentence; it usually requires the development of ideas throughout multiple paragraphs. That’s the art of building an argument!

Question 45

Convey

Answer 45

To convey is to communicate, either directly or indirectly. Since the SAT Reading Test is always asking you to figure out what a writer is trying to say, the test writers use a variety of words to capture the idea of communicating. There are subtle differences among these verbs, but they all have to do with getting your point across. A question stem might ask “What is the rhetorical effect of the phrase ‘yaddida da’?” And one of the answer options could begin: “to convey….”

Question 46

Advance

Answer 46

On the SAT, you may see the phrase “to advance a point” or “to advance a claim.” This is a formal way of saying that the writer is developing or pushing that idea forward. Think of advancing an idea as giving it a little extra push so that readers will be sure to notice it.

Question 47

Elaborate

Answer 47

You are more likely to see the verb elaborate on the SAT than the adjective elaborate. The adjective means intricate, like an elaborate plot, but the verb “to elaborate” has to do with fleshing out ideas. Your English teacher might ask you to elaborate if you make an undeveloped point in an essay. On the SAT, you could be asked about the relationship between two passages and an answer option could read, “The second passage elaborates on the ideas of the first.”

Question 48

Comparison

Answer 48

A comparison is putting things together to see how they are similar, or different. On the SAT, you may be asked to try to figure out why a writer makes a comparison between two unlike things (like in a metaphor). For example, a question could read, “What is the effect of the comparison between the teacher and the witch in paragraph 6?”

Question 49

Contrast

Answer 49

To contrast two things is to point out or emphasize how they are different. You will most likely see the word contrast in answer choices on the Reading Test of the SAT. The question will most likely address an author’s purpose, and one of the answer choices could say the author was out to contrast x vs. y. Contrast is an ideal word to come up in questions addressing pairs of reading passages

Question 50

Character

Answer 50

The other meaning of character has to do with the moral fiber that makes you….well, you. On the SAT, you may see a question like “The description of Jimmy in the second paragraph mainly serves to …” and an answer option could read, “provide insight into his character.” Character in this context means “nature.”

Question 51

Passage

Answer 51

A passage on the SAT Reading Test is a distinct block of text. You’ll see this word often in question stems, where you will be asked questions that begin “According to the passage” or “The main purpose of the passage.” Of course, when you are asked such questions, you will have to revisit the passage itself to determine the correct answer. Don’t rely on your memory alone!

Question 52

Shift

Answer 52

To shift is to change. Not all reading passages on the SAT will travel along a straight or direct path. Sometimes a passage may take a turn in tone or message; the focus of a narrative may shift, or a writer’s perspective may even shift. Chances are it will be your job to identify where in the passage that shift took place

Question 53

Primarily

Answer 53

Primarily is used so often in SAT questions to mean “mostly.” For example, a test question may begin, “The author of Passage 1 refers to x primarily to suggest…” This is a way to tell you: “Sure, there could be other reasons the author refers to x, but you should be looking for the main (primary) reason!”

Question 54

Primary

Answer 54

Just like central, the word primary tends to show up before words like purpose or claim on the SAT to indicate that the MAIN idea is being discussed. When being asked about a primary idea in a passage, rereading the introduction and conclusion may be a good strategy to “think big.” (There could be many secondary ideas at play throughout the passage.)

Question 55

Argue

Answer 55

When you see argue on the SAT, don’t think fight. Instead, think about making a point through building a logical argument. You may be asked to identify the main purpose of a passage, and your answer options may begin as “to argue that…,” or “to describe…,” or “to examine….” If you choose “to argue that…,” then you have determined that the passage itself is an argument.

Question 56

Controversy

Answer 56

Where there’s controversy, there’s disagreement. A controversy is an issue about which people tend to have strong contradictory opinions. Since the SAT prioritizes argument, you can expect to encounter some topics of controversy in its reading passages.

Question 57

Support

Answer 57

To support is to make stronger. Like a foundation supports a buiding, evidence and facts support an argument’s claim. You will see this word all over the SAT Reading Test and sometimes you’ll be asked to identify evidence that supports a previous answer on the test. At other times, you may be asked to interpret a graph and whether or not it supports a particular idea in a reading passage. When you see the word support, think about all those things a writer does to prove his or her point

Question 58

Analysis

Answer 58

Learn the difference between analysis and summary if you opt to write the SAT essay. The SAT essay asks you to analyze how a writer has crafted an argument, not to summarize the argument or to assert your own opinion about the issue. Analysis involves breaking the argument down into pieces (or features) and considering how those pieces come together to persuade the reader of a particular stance

Question 59

Contradict

Answer 59

In Latin contra means “against” so think of that when you see contradict on the SAT. To contradict means to go against another opinion. If one passage contradicts another, then they disagree. Contradictory stances are opposing points of view. You will encounter lots of words for agreement and disagreement on the Reading Test, and this one belongs in the disagreement camp – along with oppose, counter, and refute.

Question 60

Refute

Answer 60

When you refute something, you disprove it. This word is stronger than disagree. When you use the word refute, you are implying that it’s more than just a matter of opinion; there is evidence that invalidates an argument. On the SAT, you may see data that refutes a claim, or a passage that refutes another passage (in a paired passages context)

Question 61

Consistent

Answer 61

Something consistent stays on the same track, steady as she goes. If the point in one SAT passage is consistent with a point in another SAT passage, that means that there is agreement. If you are asked to identify a written statement that is consistent with data being presented graphically, you need to find a statement from the text that agrees with the data

Question 62

Reflect

Answer 62

Remember when we said that there are a lot of words on the SAT that fall into either the agreement camp or into the disagreement camp? Well, reflect lives in the agreement camp. If an example of word choice reflects a particular idea, it supports or agrees with that idea. Thinking about how a mirror reflects an image may help you remember the meaning of this word.

Question 63

Reflection

Answer 63

When you reflect ON something, you think about it. That’s why you might notice that a reading passage on the SAT may be referred to as a reflection; in other words, it is a writer’s thoughts (reflections) on a particular issue.

Question 64

Criticize

Answer 64

On the SAT Reading Test, you will often need to try to figure out an author’s purpose. Those types of questions will have answer options beginning with verbs with either positive or negative connotations. To criticize is to be critical, to pick something apart and to identify its weak points. This is definitely a verb with a negative connotation. If an author is out to criticize, chances are he or she is using harsh language

Question 65

Critique

Answer 65

Don’t confuse the words critique and criticize on the SAT. If a writer critiques something, he or she reviews it. Unlike criticize, which has a negative connotation, critique is neutral. You could critique a movie and only point out its wonderful qualities. Or, you could critique something and point out its negative features

Question 66

Demonstrate

Answer 66

To demonstrate is to show. On the SAT, you will probably run across this word as an answer option for a question on purpose. The purpose of a passage could be to demonstrate a concept or a character trait, for example. Another word that is used in a similar way is illustrate.

Question 67

Illustrate

Answer 67

When you see the word illustrate on the SAT Reading Test, don’t think about fine art; think about how a writer “paints a picture” with words instead. An example could illustrate an abstract concept. A narrator could illustrate a setting. A passage could illustrate a phenomenon. Got the idea? Illustrate in this sense is used almost like convey.

Question 68

Confirm

Answer 68

When you confirm something, you prove it to be true. This word could be used on the SAT in reference to a science passage, where results confirm a hypothesis. You can remember this word by remembering how you have to confirm a doctor’s appointment by saying, “Yes, I’ll be there.” Confirming has to do with establishing or validating.

Question 69

Motivation

Answer 69

Someone’s motivation is their reason for doing something. On the SAT, a reading comprehension question could ask you about the purpose of a particular paragraph or passage and one possible answer choice may begin “to reveal the motivations of ….” Motivation is one of those words that comes up a lot when discussing fictional characters or people in general.

Question 70

Motive

Answer 70

Just like motivation, motive is used when discussing a person’s or character’s reason for doing something. When you answer an SAT question on motive, you should be prepared to identify evidence to support your assumption.

Question 71

Percent

Answer 71

A percent is a part of something in relation to its whole. It can be translated into a fraction. 50 percent of a pizza represents one half of that pizza. Yes, expect some math to sneak into the SAT Reading Section! There will be graphic figures depicting data, and you will be asked to interpret such data. Often the data will be conveyed in percentages so you may be asked questions that begin like, “Based on data in the table, what percent of….”

Question 72

Percetage

Answer 72

Just like percent, percentage refers to a part of something in relation to its whole and is expressed in a number. Whereas percent is usually used right after a number (like “10 percent”), percentage is used in prose like, “The table shows the percentage of each class that is preparing to take the SAT.”

Question 73

Dictate

Answer 73

Dictate has many meanings, but the meaning you would most likely encounter on the SAT has to do with causation. For example, a character’s actions may be dictated by his circumstances. The government may dictate policy, or a certain tradition may dictate wearing black while mourning. Dictate in this sense tends to mean “setting the standards or rules for.”

Question 74

Clarify

Answer 74

Just like it sounds, to clarify means to “make clear.” You will often see this word at the beginning of answer options on the Reading Test. For example, you may be asked to infer the purpose of a statement from a passage, and one of the answer options could begin, “to clarify…” Language that is used to clarify is usually easy to understand and explanatory in tone

Question 75

Conclusion

Answer 75

You are sure to see the word conclusion on the SAT Reading Test, but beware: this word has multiple meanings. If you see it in its plural form, conclusions, it usually indicates the logical conclusions drawn in an argument. However, if the test refers to an argument’s one and only conclusion, that would probably be referring to the final paragraph of the passage.

Question 76

Disagree

Answer 76

To disagree is to have a different opinion than someone else over an issue. The SAT often asks you to read about issues and people who disagree over them and to identify the sides in the debate, and to decide whether one side in the debate would agree or disagree with a certain statement. Tracking disagreements can start with looking for words that are opposites, antonyms, or nearly opposites, from one another – so look for the words that go against each other first

Question 77

Introduce

Answer 77

To introduce is to present something for the first time. This is a word you’ll see a lot of on the SAT referring to the first few paragraphs of a passage, where the main ideas are raised for the first time, establishing what the passage is about. Over the course of a passage, new people or ideas may be met, and they will be introduced too. The way things are introduced can be a clue as to how the author feels about the subject being introduced.

Question 78

Explain

Answer 78

When you try to make something understandable to someone, you are explaining it to them. Sometimes what we say is unclear, and we have to reword it, or use a lot more words, or examples from the real world, to try to argue a point. These are all ways of explaining. On the SAT reading passages, it’s good to keep track of things that need explaining and the efforts to explain them. Knowing how those two things fit together will help you see the organization of a reading passage.

Question 79

Explaination

Answer 79

An explanation seeks to take an idea and make it easier to understand. An explanation can start with things you know your reader understands, and relate those ideas to the difficult ones you are trying to explain. The SAT contains ideas and explanations of those ideas; look for those patterns in the readings, because there are often questions about them

Question 80

Information

Answer 80

Information is the total of the facts and data we have on a topic. Information is not limited to words or descriptions, but can also be taken from graphs and charts and other representations. On the SAT information can be presented to you in any of its many forms, including those charts and graphs, and you have to use the information given to answer the questions. Resist the temptation to rely on background knowledge as you work your way through the Reading Test.

Question 81

Fact

Answer 81

A fact is a piece of information about something that actually took place. Facts can be used to support a theory about something in the world, as a type of evidence. On the SAT, you may be asked to identify facts in a reading passage that support a specific conclusion you have drawn or to support a central claim in an argument. Be on the lookout for facts and how they are used as evidence in arguments.

Question 82

Factor

Answer 82

Factors are things that matter in what you are considering. Telling the difference between what counts and what doesn’t is important on the SAT. Is the factor you are considering related to what the passage is talking about? Sometimes you will see the word factor used as meaning “cause” on the SAT. For example, you may be asked to identify one of the factors that contributed to a specific outcome in a reading passage.

Question 83

Define

Answer 83

To define a word is to give its meaning. Define can also mean to make something that is confusing a little clearer. On some parts of the SAT you will be asked to choose a word that best defines a word from the accompanying reading passage. On other parts of the test you may see define pop up in an answer choice connecting a word to what it means

Question 84

Predict

Answer 84

Psychics claim to predict the future, which means they say they can tell you what is going to happen in advance, before it actually happens. On the SAT, we predict that you will see the word predict on the Reading Test, most likely in an answer option. A passage may predict a particular outcome. An example of foreshadowing may predict an event in a literature passage. Or, scientists may predict or make an educated guess about the results of an experiment (in a science passage)

Question 85

Challenge

Answer 85

The verb challenge means to question whether something is right or true. The SAT reading passages sometimes present opinions that are in conflict with one another, and challenge is a word for this kind of disagreement. In a paired passages section, for example, you may conclude that one passage challenges the point of view expressed in the other passage

Question 86

Compare

Answer 86

On the SAT you will examine the similarities and differences between two ideas or two passages, and when you do this, you compare them. These ideas could be different approaches to the same problem or different opinions on the same issue. You may, for example, compare a central claim in a text with a graphic representation of data that accompanies that text, trying to determine if the data supports the claim or refutes it.

Question 87

Likely

Answer 87

Likely is one of those words test writers love to use, including SAT test writers. It usually shows up in the expression most likely. For example, you may see a question like “On which of the following points would the authors of both passages most likely agree?” You can’t talk to the authors and definitely find out the answer, so you are expected to make an educated guess based on the evidence in the passages. You can only be expected to figure out the “most likely” answers on the

Question 88

Paragraph

Answer 88

A paragraph is a few sentences about one particular aspect of the general topic in a reading passage. You can easily spot a paragraph since there is extra space at the beginning of a paragraph. SAT questions often refer to the paragraphs by number, although the reading passages are organized by line numbers as well. A question may ask you to look at the second paragraph, the final paragraph, etc. However, most often, the question will ask you to look at specific lines within a paragraph.

Question 89

Include

Answer 89

When you include something, you incorporate it into a larger something. On the SAT, you may be asked why an author most likely chose to include certain details in his or her argument; it will be your job to infer why that decision was made. The opposite of include is exclude, which means rule out or prevent from joining.

Question 90

Example

Answer 90

An example is something used to prove a point. On the SAT you may be asked to identify examples that support an argument’s claim. Examples can also be used to highlight properties – a fire engine, a strawberry, and a stop sign are all examples of red things

Question 91

Emotion

Answer 91

Emotion isn’t about book smarts or facts but about how you feel. Authors of arguments will often use emotional appeals to persuade their readers. The SAT can ask you to put your finger on exactly what parts of a reading passage can trigger certain emotions in a reader, whether that emotion is patriotism, anger, love or many others.

Question 92

Experiment

Answer 92

An experiment is an investigation of a theory. An experiment is careful and controlled to make sure the test is done properly. The SAT has descriptions of experiments of all kinds, but the common factor is the scientists who conduct these experiments have set up ways to research an aspect of life and have an idea they are examining to see if it is true. Experiment can also be used non-scientifically, to mean to try things out, like when an artist experiments with a new style

Question 93

Identify

Answer 93

To identify something is to recognize it. When writing the SAT essay, you may identify a rhetorical device in the related reading passage and describe it. However, on the SAT Reading Test, test writers will most likely identify something and then ask you to interpret or analyze it. For example, they might identify an interesting example of word choice and then ask you to try to figure out why it was used and its effect on the reader.

Question 94

Relationship

Answer 94

Some questions about the reading passages on the SAT address how one part of the passage relates to another, or how two different passages relate to one another. Does idea number 2 provide evidence for idea number 1? Does idea number 2 cause the reader to doubt the conclusion reached in idea number 1? Or, the question could be more general. For example, a question could ask: “Which statement best describes the relationship between the passages?”

Question 95

Yeild

Answer 95

This isn’t the yield on the road sign that’s a triangle. Yield is a word that means to produce. If a field yields corn, it has produced it. Yield is a word that is concerned with outcomes, with results. Yield can be about physical results, like the corn, or more abstract, like a discovery yielding scientific opportunity. On the SAT, you will most likely see yield in a variety of contexts (e.g., yield value, yield data, yield products, etc.).

Question 96

Phrase

Answer 96

A phrase is a bit of text that is made up of more than one word. A phrase can be as short as two words or as long as a sentence. On the SAT, the word phrase is usually used to refer to the text that the question will be asking about. For example, a question could begin, “The author uses the phrase ‘x y’ to most likely…”. You will most likely see this word in questions that quote the phrase itself

Question 97

Value

Answer 97

When something is important or has worth for someone, it has value. In SAT questions, you may see expressions containing value – such as “moral values” or “traditional values.” Values can be personal, like someone whose moral values tell them not to steal, or shared (we all agree that money has value). Value can also mean prizing or holding something dear, as in “I value our friendship.”

Question 98

Describe

Answer 98

When you describe something, you are using language to create a representation in the mind of your reader. Decriptive words can range from physical traits like round or yellow to emotional states like amused or angry. Being able to describe something (to point out the characteristics of a given thing) comes up a lot on the SAT, and you will often be asked to pick a word or phrase that best describes a character or event.

Question 99

Desciption

Answer 99

A description uses language to illustrate the physical or emotional characteristics of a person or thing. Descriptions add up to paint a picture inside a reader’s mind of what something looks or feels like. Descriptions usually involve adjectives, adverbs or phrases that involve them. On the SAT it is good to recognize the difference between descriptions and regular phrases: “He left.” reports an action, but “He left angrily” describes that action.

Question 100

Difference

Answer 100

Difference has many meanings, but they all describe things that are not the same. On the SAT Reading Test, similar and different will often be used when comparing paired passages or differing points of view on an issue. On the math side of things, the number that is the result of a subtraction problem is called “the difference” because it is the difference between two values.

Question 101

Similar

Answer 101

Use similar when you are comparing two things and one is the same or almost the same as the other. Finding the properties that two things have in common is a task that comes up often on the SAT. A good way to start looking for similarities is to look for words that mean the same thing, synonyms, in the descriptions. If the words describing them are similar, there’s a good chance the things themselves will be similar also

Question 102

Option

Answer 102

When you have to choose between several things, we say that you have a bunch of options. Having options means having the freedom to pick one or the other. On the SAT, option is a word that will show up in the directions a lot. Of course, the multiple choice questions contain several options and you have to choose one of them as an answer.

Question 103

Reveal

Answer 103

When you reveal something, you make known something that was being kept secret. If you break into your sister’s locked diary and post what you find on the internet, you’ve revealed her thoughts to the world. Reveal can also mean discovering something not known until now, like a scientific breakthrough. On the SAT reveal can be used as a synonym for show. “What does a certain part of a graph reveal?” is the same as asking what is shown by that part of the graph

Question 104

Examine

Answer 104

To carry out an in-depth discussion of something is to examine it in detail. To use the word examine is to imply that your look into a topic is careful and covers all the bases. The SAT can ask you to recognize the difference between something being examined in detail and when it is just being briefly addressed by an author. Other words related to examine include: study, investigate and analyze.

Question 105

Counter

Answer 105

When you see the word counter as a verb on the SAT, don’t think about the place in your kitchen where you cut a sandwich in two! To counter someone is to disagree with someone, to make an opposing point. You will most likely see this word used in an SAT answer choice, as a way to show how an author has made a statement to counter (or disagree with) another point of view about an issue.

Question 106

Propose

Answer 106

This isn’t about asking someone to marry you. To propose is to suggest an idea. Propose isn’t as strong as assert or contend. If assert or contend are jumping into the pool, propose is dipping your toe in the water. You propose something when you have an idea you’re not sure of and you are testing it out. On the SAT, you may see propose as a part of scientific research. You may read a science passage in which a scientist proposes a hypothesis

Question 107

Narrative

Answer 107

The narrative is the story being told. All the elements of a story (e.g., the setting, the plot, the characters, etc.) make up a narrative. Narratives can also be smaller, like the story-within-the story. Narrative is a general term and on the SAT when it is used, you will most likely be asked to answer a question about big narrative shifts in a reading passage. The passage itself may be a literary narrative or you could encounter a short illustrative narrative within an argument.

Question 108

Graphic

Answer 108

Graphics are the images that go along with some of the reading passages on the SAT. They can be graphs of several kinds, or illustrations, but they are items primarily using images to get their point across or to display data. Graphic is a word that will often show up in the directions to a section (i.e., “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.”)

Question 109

Expose

Answer 109

To expose is to reveal something that has been hidden. A synonym for this definition of expose is reveal. On the SAT, you might interpret an author’s purpose as exposing some truth to his or her reader. Expose can also mean to introduce something, as in “their environment was unfortunately exposed to toxic chemicals.”

Question 110

Contend

Answer 110

Remember: doing well on the SAT Reading Test will require you to determine what various authors are trying to “say.” However, question writers will not use the verb say; instead, they will use lots of other verbs like claim, assert, and contend. When you contend, you are not hinting at something. You are more aggressively claiming something to be true. They often call boxers contenders and that kind of battle is what the verb contend brings to mind

Question 111

Provide

Answer 111

Provide is really a fancy way to say supply or give, and it shows up constantly in both the questions and in the answer choices of the SAT. A question may read, “Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?” or an answer to a question on author purpose may begin, “to provide support for…” As you can see, provide is often the verb of choice on the SAT.

Question 112

Tend

Answer 112

Tend is a word involved in discussions of what a person or some thing is most likely to do. Just like most likely, tend is used often by SAT question writers because they know that you may not know something definitively but they still expect you to infer what an author or character would tend to think or do. Questions can ask you to generalize about an author’s perspective or about a person in the passage using what you have read as a starting point.

Question 113

Evaluate

Answer 113

To evaluate something is to give a subjective assessment of that thing. On the SAT, you will be asked to interpret and to sometimes evaluate writing. For example, if you choose to write the SAT essay, you may interpret an example of word choice in an argument, explaining what it means. Then, you may decide to go one step further– to evaluate the expression as being effective or not effective in supporting the argument’s claim.

Question 114

Concept

Answer 114

The SAT can ask you to tell the difference between the general and the specific, and a concept is a general idea apart from specific examples. Your particular sandwich may have turkey on it one day or tuna fish on it another day, but the concept of a sandwich is food between pieces of bread. Examples are important, but when you are talking concepts, you are talking what those examples have in common. Words related to concept include: idea and essence

Question 115

Dispute

Answer 115

A dispute can be a disagreement or a fight, but it is also used on the SAT as a verb meaning “to reject or take exception to.” To effectively dispute a claim, you should have evidence on your side that supports your stance or perspective on an issue. To dispute something is to go against it, to act in opposition to it. On the SAT the presence of dispute indicates a difference of opinion, and other words that do this include: refute, oppose, and diverge

Question 116

Determine

Answer 116

To determine something is to figure it out. On the SAT, the word determine may show up in question stems or in answer options, since many of the reading passages will involve logical arguments where evidence is used to determine something. Determine usually implies something objective, not subjective. In other words, you don’t “determine your feelings” about something. It’s usually a fact you would determine. For example, you can use a thermometer to determine your temperature

Question 117

Intention

Answer 117

An intention is the result you mean to happen from an action you take. On the SAT, you my be asked to interpret the intention of a certain character (which you can infer from their actions and their attitudes about what they are doing). Other words that are related to intention are: purpose and reason.

Question 118

Indicate

Answer 118

To indicate is to give a sign of something occuring. Large dark clouds can indicate that a rainstorm will start soon. An SAT question with indicate is asking you what something means, what it points to, or stands for. Words related to indicate include: signify, mean or imply.

Question 119

Discuss

Answer 119

You may think that two people are needed to discuss something, but there is another use of the verb discuss. This discuss means to address or examine a topic, and you can do that alone. To discuss is to look at a topic thoroughly in writing or speech. In the world of the SAT, an author hasn’t written about a topic, they have discussed it. Other words related to discuss include : examine, dissect and elaborate on

Question 120

Discussion

Answer 120

This use of discussion refers to an author’s writing about a topic, particularly in the SAT reading passages. Let’s say the passage is about many kinds of sea creatures. Using a phrase like “the discussion of dolphins” in the question is a way to indicate the current topic and where in the passage one should look for help in answering the question

Question 121

Abstract

Answer 121

The word abstract comes up a lot in academic language that you may encounter on the SAT. It can be used as an adjective to describe a concept or idea – like innocence or envy – or it can be used as a noun to refer to a short summary of an academic or scientific article. A good way to remember the adjective meaning is to think of abstract art where a splash of paint may represent an emotion, and then contrast that with a realistic painting – like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

Question 122

Previous

Answer 122

Previous means “just before.” On the SAT, instructions often include the phrase “previous question.” This means the instructions are telling you to look at the question right before this one to help with the question you are now answering. Most likely, you will have to use some decisions you made in answering the last question to help you choose the answer to the question you are thinking about now.

Question 123

Identify

Answer 123

To identify something is to recognize it. When writing the SAT essay, you may identify a rhetorical device in the related reading passage and describe it. However, on the SAT Reading Test, test writers will most likely identify something and then ask you to interpret or analyze it. For example, they might identify an interesting example of word choice and then ask you to try to figure out why it was used and its effect on the reader.

Question 124

Vary

Answer 124

When something doesn’t stay the same, we say that it varies. To vary is to change. Vary is used on the SAT during discussions of experiments, where scientists try to limit what varies to one thing – the variable they are testing.

Question 125

Assumption

Answer 125

An assumption is something taken to be true, a belief. Sometimes assumptions are stated by an author and sometimes you have to infer them. On the SAT, you could be asked a question like, “An unstated assumption made by the author about x is…” Or, you may have to choose a statement that “best captures” an author’s central assumption. As you can see, the SAT will most likely require you to infer assumptions.

Question 126

Mimic

Answer 126

To mimic is to imitate, and you may see these words used interchangeably on the SAT. Mimic could also be used to describe similarities between things, events, or results. If one species acts just like another under a given set of circumstances, you might say that the species mimic each other in their behavior.

Question 127

Disctinct

Answer 127

To be distinct is to be separate or different from something else. When you move out of the room you shared with your little brother, it is usually because you want your own distinct space. On the SAT, you will be asked to identify when things are distinct from one another and often asked to choose a reason why that difference is so clear.

Question 128

Interpret

Answer 128

When you decide what something means, you interpret it. On the SAT, you may read a science passage where a scientist interprets the results of an experiment, and you may have to identify the evidence that led the scientist to his interpretation. Or, you may be asked to choose, from several interpretations, which particular one makes the most sense based on the reading passage.

Question 129

Establish

Answer 129

When you establish something in writing, you make it clear. The word establish will come up often in answer options for questions regarding a passage’s purpose. For example: Why did the author use we? Possible answer: to establish a sense of togetherness. A writer can establish tone, perspective, facts, etc. You name it. Using the word in this sense almost means “accomplish.”

Question 130

Trait

Answer 130

Any detail or feature of something can be called a trait. Traits are things that separate, or distinguish, one thing from another, and objects or animals can also be grouped by traits they have in common. The SAT may ask you to keep track of traits that things have in common or traits that distinguish things from one another over the course of a reading passage

Question 131

Theory

Answer 131

A theory is a explanation. It should include evidence and be backed by an authority. Scientific theories develop from careful observation and testing over the course of years by different people. On the SAT, it can be important to recognize when something is just a single thought and when something has grown into a detailed theory. The word theory can be used non-scientifically too; it can mean just an explanation that doesn’t have to be confirmed by any outside source.

Question 132

Development

Answer 132

The word development on the SAT will most likely refer to the development of ideas throughout a reading passage. In other words, an author may not be able to persuade you of his or her opinion in one sentence. Instead, he or she builds or develops an argument through logical reasoning and evidence. Tracing that development of ideas will be a large part of your work on the Reading Test.

Question 133

Favor

Answer 133

The verb favor means to prefer something, to like one thing more than another. A good way to remember this meaning of favor is that it makes up most of the word favorite (think of favoring as choosing your favorite). On the SAT, the verb favor is often used to express an author’s or character’s preference for something. Or, you may also read that an author or character rejects one thing “in favor of” something else.

Question 134

Influence

Answer 134

Influence means “to have an effect on.” Influence is a word that pops up on the SAT when they want to draw your attention to how one thing acts upon another. For example, What is the influence of A on B? Does A strengthen the effect of B or does A weaken the effect of B? Since influence is a general word to describe all kinds of interactions, so you may see it used a lot.

Question 135

Accompanying

Answer 135

Accompanying means to go along with, be a part of. On the SAT Reading Test, graphics (tables, graphs, etc.) will accompany some reading passages, and the questions on those passages will address both the text and the accompanying graphics.

Question 136

Function

Answer 136

In reading passages on the SAT, it is important to be able to describe the function (or purpose) a certain paragraph serves in the passage as a whole. For example, the paragraph may provide support for the main claim of the argument, or it may provide a counterargument to be later refuted. The word function often pops up in question stems like the following: “What function does the discussion of x serve in Passage 2?

Question 137

Significant

Answer 137

Something significant is important or meaningful. It’s a word to cue to take notice. On the SAT, if you see the word significant, you should consider why the word was used. You may be told that a scientist’s findings are significant and then it will be your job to determine why – based on evidence from the reading passage

Question 138

Hypothetical

Answer 138

When something is hypothetical, it is not real or hasn’t actually happened. The opposite of hypothetical is empirical, meaning real and testable by science. Because some of the SAT reading passages deal with science, it’s a good idea to keep track of things that are empirical and things that are just theoretical, or hypothetical.

Question 139

Principle

Answer 139

A principle is a statement that is accepted as true and used for a purpose, sometimes to make an argument more convincing. The SAT may ask you to identify general principles as opposed to details that only apply in one case. The word principle may come up in reference to a science reading passage, where the reader is asked to interpret how an author uses scientific principles to support a particular claim

Question 140

Stance

Answer 140

A stance is an attitude or a position on an issue of some kind. Stances can be political or personal. On the SAT, it is important to be able to identify the stances, or opinions, expressed in various reading passages. Often you will encounter two different stances on one issue – expressed in the same reading or in a pair of reading passages. It is your job to sort out which stance is whose, and to be able to pinpoint the evidence supporting each stance

Question 141

Mention

Answer 141

To mention is to reference or bring up something. When you mention something you won’t necessarily be going into great detail, but you are talking about it. Mention may be found in questions when the SAT is asking why something was mentioned. Why did the author choose to mention that? Is it an example that proves a point? Knowing the answer to why something was mentioned can be very helpful when answering questions on the reading passages.

Question 142

Evoke

Answer 142

Evoke means to call to mind and is often used when something triggers an emotional response in a person. When something is evoked, it is brought to the forefront of the reader’s mind or emotions. On the SAT, a certain example of word choice may evoke a particular emotion in the reader, and it may be your job to identify that emotion. Some words related to evoke include: remind, stir, awaken and kindle.

Question 143

Pattern

Answer 143

On the SAT, you will be asked to find patterns: patterns in the way an argument develops, or in the types of evidence supporting a claim. A pattern of evidence can start with quotes from experts and end with the author’s own experiment. The next time this author writes an article, he or she may use that same pattern again. You may even be asked a question such as, “Which choice best describes the developmental pattern of the passage?”

Question 144

Supplementary

Answer 144

When we call something supplementary, we mean it is playing a supporting role. Supplementary evidence goes along with the main piece of evidence but it is not the star of the show. On the SAT there are reading passages that use graphs or other visual aides for one or two questions and these are called supplementary materials, because you are going to use them in addition to the reading passage, which would be the main attraction, to answer the questions.

Question 145

Portray

Answer 145

To portray is to describe using words, in writing or verbally. To portray someone is to describe them in such a way that the reader is left with a general sense based on specific incidents or details. On the SAT you may be asked to find the right words to describe how an author has portrayed one of their characters. Portray is similar to other words that refer to writing, including: depict and describe.

Question 146

Possess

Answer 146

Possess is a fancy way to say have. Have is often used for things that you can physically hold, like: “I have ten dollars in my wallet.” On the SAT, you’ll most likely see possess being used to describe people having non-physical things – like possessing an ability or possessing knowledge

Question 147

Empirical

Answer 147

Empirical means based on fact, observation and testing, and its opposite is theoretical (which means “thought about but not real or tested”). These are scientific words you may see on the SAT in reference to the science-based passages. If something is without empirical support, it means it is not a fact (yet)

Question 148

Symbolic

Answer 148

A flag is a piece of cloth, but to people who respect it, it is symbolic of so much more: it means freedom and hope. Symbolic language is the use of one thing (a symbol) to stand for something else (usually an abstract concept). On the SAT, symbolic language occurs most often in the fiction passages. You may be asked to say what a given item is symbolic of in a narrative reading passage

Question 149

Substantiate

Answer 149

When you back a statement up with evidence, you substantiate your claim. Reading passages can be filled with claims, some of which will be substantiated with evidence and some of which will not be, and the SAT questions can ask you to tell the difference and to identify the statements that serve to substantiate a certain claim

Question 150

Figuratuve

Answer 150

To speak figuratively is to replace the strict meaning of a word or passage with a metaphorical meaning. For example, a path could figuratively represent an important choice in your life. The opposite of figurative is literal, where you would be talking about a real path. On the SAT, you may have to recognize figurative language and what it represents