SAT Vocab Lesson 2

Question 1

ameliorate

Answer 1

(v) to relieve, as from pain or hardship

Question 2

amity

Answer 2

(n) friendship

Question 3

amorphous

Answer 3

(adj) without determinate shape

Question 4

anachronism

Answer 4

(n) anything occurring or existing out of its proper time

Question 5

analogous

Answer 5

(adj) corresponding (to something else) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations

Question 6

analogy

Answer 6

(n) an explanation of something by comparing it point by point with something similar

Question 7

antediluvian

Answer 7

(adj) of the time before the Biblical Flood; very old; old-fashioned or primitive

Question 8

anthropomorphous

Answer 8

(adj) having or resembling human form

Question 9

apocryphal

Answer 9

(adj) of doubtful authorship or authenticity, not genuine

Question 10

apostasy

Answer 10

(n) a total departure from one’s faith or religion

Question 11

archaic

Answer 11

(adj) antiquated; old-fashioned

Question 12

atrophy

Answer 12

(n) wasting away

Question 13

austere

Answer 13

(adj) having a severe or stern look, manner, etc.; very plain, lacking ornament or luxury

Question 14

avarice

Answer 14

(n) too great a desire to have wealth; greed

Question 15

banal

Answer 15

(adj) commonplace; dull or stale as because of overuse; trite

Question 16

bane

Answer 16

(n) the cause of distress, death, or ruin

Question 17

baneful

Answer 17

(adj) causing distress, death, or ruin

Question 18

bedlam

Answer 18

(n) madhouse; a place, scene or state of uproar an confusion

Question 19

bellicose

Answer 19

(adj) of a quarrelsome or hostile nature; eager to fight; warlike

Question 20

belligerent

Answer 20

(adj) inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness

Question 21

belittle

Answer 21

(v) to disparage; to make a person or thing seem little or less; to speak slightingly of

Question 22

benevolent

Answer 22

(adj) doing or inclined to do good; kindly; charitable

Question 23

blithe

Answer 23

(adj) 1. of a lighthearted character or disposition; joyous 2. lacking due thought or consideration; heedless; too casual, careless or thoughtless

Question 24

brusque

Answer 24

(adj) blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness; markedly short and abrupt

Question 25

buffoon

Answer 25

(n) a ludicrous figure; a clown

Question 26

cacophony

Answer 26

(n) harsh, jarring sound or combination of sounds

Question 27

cadaverous

Answer 27

(adj) resembling a corpse (esp. pale, ghastly, gaunt, or haggard); of or like a corpse

Question 28

cajole

Answer 28

(v) to persuade with flattery or gentle urging, especially in the face of reluctance

Question 29

capitulate

Answer 29

(v) to surrender; give up

Question 30

capricious

Answer 30

(adj) tending to change abruptly and without apparent reason