SAT List #1

Question 1

altruistic
(al tru IS tik)

derivatives: altruism, altruist, altruistically

Answer 1

unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others, generous

Nuns and nurses are usually very altruistic people since they seek ways to help people.

Question 2

ambivalent
(am BIV uh lunt)

derivatives: ambivalence

synonym: undecided
Antonyms: certain; firmly convinced

Answer 2

having contrary feelings or attitudes, uncertain as to course of action

I am ambivalent about a permanent relationship with him, because I like him one day and don’t the next.

Question 3

angular
(ANG gyuh ler)

derivatives: angulate, angularity, angulation, angulator

Antonym: rotund

Answer 3

lean, sharp-cornered, gaunt

The patient has lost so much weight that his face has become quite angular.

Question 4

arrogant
(AIR uh gunt)

derivatives: arrogance, arrogancy, arrogantly

synonyms: presumptuous, haughty, imperious, brazen
antonyms: meek, modest

Answer 4

overbearingly assuming; insolently proud

Because the girl was so arrogant, she had few friends.

Question 5

aversion
(uh VER shun)

derivatives: averseness, aversely, averse

synonyms: hesitance, loathing, reluctance
antonym: inclination

Answer 5

strong disinclination, disliking

I have an aversion to getting married.

Question 6

discern
(deh SURN)

derivatives: discerner, discernable, discernableness, discernably, discernibly, discerningly, discernment
antonym: to ignore, to be oblivious to

Answer 6

to differentiate between two or more things

Because of the fog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip.

Question 7

disdain
(dis DANE)

derivatives: disdained, disdaining, disdainer, disdainfully, disdainfulness

synonym: to be arrogant, haughty, high-handed, insolent, lordly
antonym: favor, admiration, to love

Answer 7

intense dislike; to treat with scorn or contempt.

Never having to do manual labor, he disdained the idea of becoming a gardener.

Question 8

disparage
(Deh SPAR ij)

derivatives: disparagement, disparager, disparagingly

synonym: belittle, decry, deprecate
antonym: to praise profusely

Answer 8

To degrade, to speak of someone or something in a derogatory manner.

His disparaging remarks about me caused the committee to give the job to another person.

Question 9

disparity
(deh SPAR eh tee)

derivatives: disparate, disparately, disparateness
antonym: similarity

Answer 9

inequality; the condition or fact of being unequal in age, rank, or decree

The couple got married even though there was a great disparity in their ages.

Question 10

embellish
(em BEL ish)

derivatives: embellisher, embellishment

synonym: deck, garnish, ornament, adorn
antonym: to abbreviate

Answer 10

to decorate, to make beautiful with ornamentation

He would embellish his narratives with anecdotes about famous people.