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Junior High VW Words 7th Grade abnormal abound abrupt accelerate adequate adjacent affliction agitation ajar akin alight alliance amiss analogy anecdote animated anonymous antonym assistant authoritative available bankrupt barren bellow beneficiary bewilder blurt botch braggart brawl brood browse buffoon bystander cache canvass capsize casual catastrophe cater chronological circumscribe clamor clarification clutter coincide connotation connote consistency consolidate controversial corrupt cosmopolitan countenance counterfeit culminate customary cynical decrease denotation denote dependent desist despondent despot detest dialogue dilapidated diminish dishearten dismantle dispensary dispense disputatious disrupt disruptive dissuade docile domestic dominate downright downtrodden drone dynamic dynasty eject elongate embezzle emblem enchant entice entreat entrepreneur eradicate erode erupt exist expendable expenditure fallible farce feud fickle figurative firebrand flagrant flaw fledgling flounder flourish fluctuate fluster foremost foretaste foster fruitless frustrate fugitive futile gala gaudy germinate gigantic goad graphic gratitude grim grimy grovel grueling gruesome haggle handicraft hardy harmonious havoc hazard hearth heartrending heed hilarious hoard hoax homicide homograph homonym hospitable hostile humdrum hurtle ignite impartial implore imposter incentive inconsistent incorruptible indescribable indifference indignant indispensable indisposed indulge infamous inflammable inflate inflict ingredient inimitable innumerable inscription insinuate insistent insubordinate interminable interrogate interrupt iota irruption lair lavish lax legacy legitimate leisurely lethargic literal literate loom lubricate luster magnitude makeshift malady malignant mar marginal massive maternal maul meager meditate melancholy mellow mirth miscellaneous misdemeanor momentum morbid mortify mull mutual narrative nomadic notable notary notation notation notoriety notorious nub nurture nutritious officiate onslaught oppress oration ordain Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 1 ordeal orthodox outstrip overture pact pall pamper paradox parasite parch partial patronize pedestrian peevish pelt pending pension perjury perpendicular persist piecemeal plague poised postscript potential prefix prescribe presume preview prior procure proficient prominent prudent puny quaint quench quest quibble radiant random rant ratify recompense regal regime reinforce reluctant remnant renovate reputable resist résumé retard revere rite rupture rural saga sagacious salvo scrimp scurry seclusion seethe shirk simultaneous singe snare sodden spirited stalemate status stifle stodgy subscribe subsistence substantial sullen surplus suspense swerve synonym tactful tamper timidity transcribe transmit transparent trickle trivial truce turmoil ultimate uncertainty unique unscathed upright utmost vanquish vengeance verify veto vicious vigilant vindictive virtual vital void wan wayward wilt wince wrath yearn 8th Grade abashed abdicate abut abyss accord acme adages adapt aghast allot aloof amass ample amplify anguish annul antics apparition appease apt armistice arrogant articulate assert attest attire attribute audacious avail avowed awry banter barter bask befall belated belittled bestow bland blasé bludgeon bolster bonanza bountiful calamitous capacious capitulate caustic chafe churlish citadel cite collaborate comply congested conventional convey cower crony crucial crusade cryptic curt decoy decree deface defect defile delve deplore detriment devised devoid dexterous dire disarming disclaim discordant disdain disgruntled divergent doctrine dovetail dregs durable elite embargo embody encroached endow engross enmity enormity ensue entail enterprising epitaph epoch estranged ethical evolve exasperate excerpt excise exotic facetious fallacy falter fend ferret fervent fiasco finesse Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 2 flaunt foreboding forlorn forthright frivolous frugal gallantry garnish gaunt genial gingerly glut grapple gratify grope habituate haggard haughty heritage hover impart impediment impending imperative impunity inaudible incapacitate incognito indiscriminate inert infiltrate infinite instigate instill intrigue invalidate irascible jaunty jostle judicious juncture jurisdiction kindred laggard legendary levity loiter longevity maim malinger mediate mendicant menial mercenary mien milieu minimize muster myriad naïve nauseate negate negligent niche nonentity nullify oblique obliterate oblivion obsess opus ornate ostracize oust outlandish overbearing pallid parable parry penal perceptible personable perspective pert pertinent perturb peruse pithy pivotal plaudits plausible plebian plummet plunder porous preclude predatory predominant premonition proclaim prodigal prodigious prodigy promontory prone proximity proxy pseudonym pulverized purge qualm quirk ramshackle rankle ransack rational ravage recipient reciprocal recluse recourse regale rehabilitated relevant renown repercussion residue resolute retentive revert rote rubble rue ruse scapegoat scavenger scoff sequel servile shiftless simper skittish solicitous solvent staid stance steadfast stint stoical stricture sustain taint tawdry tedious teem tenet tether tractable transition trepidation turncoat unassuming unflagging ungainly unison upbraid vaunted veer vendor veneer venerate veritable vexes vie vigil vilify vitality volatile voracious waif wallow wanton waver whimsical willful wrangle wry Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 3 9th grade abase abridge abscond abstention access accomplice actuate adept adherent adieu ad infinitum adjourn admonish advent adversity alien altercation analogy anarchy annex annihilate apex apportion appreciable arbitrary arduous aspect aspire assimilate assurance asylum atone auspicious autocratic auxiliary aversion avert biased blanch blasphemy bleak bogus bona fide bondage boorish brawny brazen breach brevity brigand brunt buoyant candid catalyst cherubic chide circumspect cleave clique combatant comely commandeer compensate component comport composite compulsion concede concerted concise condone congenial connotation conspicuous console containerize contend conversely conversion cordial cornerstone credible cubicle cumbersome daunt deadlock debacle debris defray demure depose depreciation despicable detainee detention deteriorate devitalize diffuse dilate dilemma diligent diminutive disentangle dispel disposition dissent dissolute diverse divert divulge doleful dormant dross drudgery dubious dwindle efface emancipate embroil eminent enlightened envoy erratic erroneous escalate exodus exonerate exorbitant exorcise expedient expel exploit expulsion extemporaneous fabricate facilitate fated feign feint flair flippant fodder forestall fortify garble ghastly glib grievous hamper haphazard harangue harry heterogeneous hew hoodwink horde humane illegible illustrious immunity impair impel impenitent impose impoverished improvise impulsive inanimate incessant incinerate incite incorrigible incredulous influx inscribe institute interim interpose intolerable intrepid intricate introspection inundate invert invincible irate irreverent jeer juxtapose knave laborious languid larceny latent legion liability liberality lithe lofty lucid lucrative malign maltreat marauder meander mediocre metropolis migration militant mire momentous monologue morose muddle obesity obstreperous obtrusive opaque opinionated pallor paramount pauper pedigree pensive perceive perennial Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 4 perilous perspicacious pertain pertinacity perverse pilfer plaintiff pliant pompous ponder posthumous prattle preamble precipice precipitous predispose prelude preposterous prim probe profuse prognosis proliferate proponent propulsion prospective prospectus protract pugnacious pulsate quarry quaver rabid rancid rasping realm rebut recoil reconcile recoup rectify reek rejuvenate relentless relinquish remunerate render repellent repository reprieve reprimand repugnant repulse respective retinue retrospect reversion revile rift rivulet rugged rustic salvage sardonic scuttle semblance servitude sever shackle shoddy skeptical slapdash slipshod sordid sparse spasmodic specter speculate sprightly spurious spurn squander staccato stagnant statute sterling subjugate subterfuge subversive succumb sully superfluous superimpose supplant surly surmount sustenance synthetic tantalize taunt temperate tenacious tenor tenure terminate terse threadbare tirade transpose trite unbridled unflinching untenable usurp vagrant venomous venture versatile version vertigo vindicate wane warp wily 10th Grade adulterate abhor abjure abrasive accede acclimate acquiesce acrid adroit adversary affiliated alacrity alienate alleviate allocate allude allure altruistic ambidextrous amend amicable animosity antipathy antithesis apathy appall applicable apprehensive ardent artifice ascertain askew assent asset assiduous attainment augment august averse bellicose belligerent benefactor benevolent bequeath bereft beset blithe brandish brash buffet callous capricious chagrin chaos chastise Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 5 chivalrous clairvoyant clandestine clemency coerce cogent commend commodious compassion compatible complacent comprise compunction conclusive concur condolence conflagration consecrate contentious converge copious corrosive covet craven crestfallen culinary cursory dearth decorum decrepit defamation deft delete demise deploy deride destitute deviate diffident discern discrepancy disheveled disparage disperse disreputable dissonant dour droll duplicity duress edict elated elucidate emaciated embark endemic esteem exemplary exhilarate explicate explicit exponent expunge extant extirpate extol exuberant exult facile facsimile fallow fathom feasible finite fortitude fracas gape garrulous gibe gnarled grimace grotesque guile guise harass holocaust imbibe impervious impetus implacable implicate inclement indelible indemnity indomitable indulgent infallible infinitesimal ingenuous inkling innocuous inopportune insidious insuperable integrity inter intimation inveterate invulnerable ironic irrelevant itinerary jeopardy lamentable laud limpid loll loquacious magnanimous malevolent mandatory martinet meticulous militate misconstrue misnomer multifarious muse musty negligible nocturnal nonchalant nondescript nostalgia obnoxious obsolete obviate officious ominous omnipotent omniscient omnivorous opulent palatable panacea pandemonium parsimonious patent perpetuate phlegmatic pinnacle placate placid plagiarism platitude pliable plod poignant potent precedence premeditated pretext profess protrude prowess pungent punitive quandary quell quiescent quintessence rampant rancor raucous recalcitrant receptive redress reiterate remiss renegade renounce repose reprehensible repress reprisal rescind respite reticent retribution retrogress revel ruminate savory scrupulous scrutinize sedate sinuous skulk sojourn solace somber somnolent sonorous sophomoric spontaneous squalid stark stately stentorian stipulate stolid stultify suave supercilious superficial supple suppress tacit tangible temerity tentative tepid trenchant truculent turbulent ultimatum uncanny unfeigned Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 6 unkempt urbane vanguard vehement venal venial verbatim virulent vivacious vociferous voluble voluminous waive warily wastrel whet zealous 11th Grade abate abduction abet abominate absolve abstemious academy accede accentuate accessory accrue acculturation Achilles’ heel acrimonious adamant addendum adulation adventitious affable aggrandize aggressive akimbo alma mater alter ego ameliorate amenable amnesty amorphous analogy anathema annotation anomalous antediluvian aplomb approbation aqueduct arbiter archetype as rich as croesus ascribe aspersion assay assuage astute atlas aura austere autonomy avarice avatar aver axiomatic bedlam belie beneficent berate bizarre blatant blazon bombastic bookworm bovine brickbat broach brouhaha brusque bulwark bumptious bunkum buttress cachet cadaverous cadge cajole callow caricature carnage carousal castigate casus belli cavalier caveat censurable cessation checkmate choleric circuitous clangor cloys coalition collate colloquial cologne commiserate concession concoct conducive conduit congress connoisseur consternation contiguous continent contraband contrive corpulent corroborate covert crass credulous criterion culpable cupidity curtail debase debonair decadence decease deduce deferential definitive deleterious demagogue demeanor denizen deplete desecrate desist digress dilatory disabuse disavow disconcert disconsolate discursive dismal dispassionate disquisition disseminate dissention dissipate dither donnybrook dowdy drivel ductile dun efficacious egalitarian egregious egress élan elicit elliptical encumber enhance enigmatic enjoin ennui enthrall epitome equable equanimity equate equidistant equilibrium equipoise equitable equivocate evanescent exhort ex officio expatiate expedite expiate expostulate expurgate extenuate extraneous extrapolate extricate extrude exude ferment fetter figurative figurehead filch florid flout foist foment forbearance fortuitous fractious frog in one’s throat gallivant galvanize gauche gauntlet get one’s goat gist go to the dogs gossamer gradient gradualism grandiose gratuitous grisly Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 7 hackneyed hector heinous herculean heresy heuristic hiatus homograph hortatory humbug hyperbole hypothetical ignoble immemorial immutable impassive imperious implicit impound impromptu impugn inadvertent inauspicious inception incisive inconsequential incontrovertible inculcate induction inequality infer infirmity infraction infringe ingratitude inimical iniquitous innuendo inquest inquisitive inquisition inquisitive inroad inscrutable insular insurgent intemperate intercede interloper intrinsic invective inveigh irresolute irrevocable jaded jejune lassitude leave no stone unturned legerdemain limerick literal lurid magniloquent marathon mausoleum mawkish mecca megalomania mentor meritorious metaphor metaphysics millennium mitigate modicum modus operandi mogul mollify motley munificent nebulous nomenclature nominal noncommittal nonplussed novice obdurate occult odium odyssey oligarchy onus opportune orotund osprey ossify ostensible ostentatious palpable paragon paraphrase parlay peculate pedestal penury perceptive perfidy permeate pernicious persona non grata personification petulant pillage politic potpourri prate precedence precept precipitate precocious predecessor predilection preeminent preen prerequisite prerogative presentiment pretentious prima facie pro tempore proclivity procrastinate profligate prognosticate prolific propagate propensity proprietary prosaic protagonist providential provincial provocative pun punctilious quail querulous query raffish recapitulate recession recondite red herring redoubtable redundant regress reinstate rejoinder relegate remit remonstrate reprobate reprove repudiate requisite requisition resilient restitution resurgence resuscitate retrench retrograde reverberate rhetoric sacred cow sadistic salient salutary sanctimonious sangfroid sartorial satiate scathing scintillating scourge scurrilous sear sedentary seditious sedulous sententious sepulchral shanks’ mare simile simulate sinecure skew skullduggery slang sleazy slovenly soporific Spartan specious spate spawn squeamish stalwart stanch status quo stipend straitlaced stringent subservient succinct supplicate supposition surfeit surmise surreptitious susceptible sybaritic symbiotic tenuous thwart torpid tortuous traduce Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 8 transcend transgress transient transpire turgid ulterior umbrage unctuous untoward unwieldy upshot vantage vapid varnish verbose viaduct vicarious vitriolic vouchsafe vulnerable wheedle white elephant winsome Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 9 WORD LIST aberration (noun) A Deviation from what is correct or right. abeyance (noun) Suspension of an activity; postponement. abstemious (adjective) Sparing in use of food or drink; moderate. abstruse (adjective) Concealed; difficult to comprehend; obscure accolade (noun) Embrace; award; commendation. acerbic (adjective) Bitter; harsh; caustic. acrimonious (adjective) Sarcastic; caustic; angry; mordant. Noun: acrimony acuity (noun) Sharpness; acuteness; keenness acute (adjective) 1. Perceptive adept (adjective) Proficient; masterful; expert. adherent (noun) Believer; supporter; devotee. adjunct (noun) 1. Attachment; appendage admonish (verb) Caution; reprove mildly; reprimand adroit (adjective) Dexterous; proficient; skillful adulation (noun) Excessive flattery; adoration; idolization. adulterate (verb) Make impure or inferior by adding improper ingredients; contaminate; pollute. advocate (verb) 1. Argue for a cause; defend aesthete (noun) Person who cultivates beauty or art; connoisseur. aggrandize (verb) Make more powerful; amplify; increase. alacrity (noun) Eagerness; zeal; speed altruistic (adjective) Concerned about the general welfare of others; charitable; generous ambivalence (noun) Uncertainty; doubt; indecisiveness. ambulatory (adjective) Able to walk; not stationary. ameliorate (verb) Make better; improve amiable (adjective) Cordial; of pleasant disposition; friendly. amorphous (adjective) Without structure; shapeless; nebulous. animate (verb) Energize; enliven. anomaly (noun) Abnormality; deviation from the general rule; irregularity. antediluvian (adjective) Ancient; antiquated; obsolete. antipathy (noun) Feeling of opposition or repugnance; a version; dislike. apathy (noun) Lack of concern, emotion or interest; indifference. aperture (noun) Gap; opening; orifice. apocryphal (adjective) False; unauthenticated; disputed. 2. Excruciating. 2. Subordinate or auxiliary capacity. 2. Support; uphold. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 10 apotheosis (noun) 1. Essence; epitome. 2. Canonization. appease (verb) Satisfy; make peace; placate. approbatory (adjective) Expressing approval. arable (adjective) Suitable for cultivation or plowing. arrogant (adjective) Feeling superior to other people; egotistical. ascetic (adjective) Strict; austere. assuage (verb) Ease; make less burdensome; mitigate. atrophy (verb) Waste away from lack of use; degenerate. audacity (noun) Boldness or adventurousness; gall. authoritarian (noun) 1. Person who acts like a dictator; tyrant. avarice (noun) Extreme desire for wealth; greed; acquisitiveness. aviary (noun) Large enclosure confining birds. avouch (verb) Guarantee; take responsibility for; affirm. avow (verb) Affirm; assert; declare; acknowledge. baleful (adjective) B Sorrowful; sinister; evil. balm (noun) Soothing ointment for pain or healing; salve. banal (adjective) Trite; insipid; ordinary. bane (noun) Deadly affliction; curse; plague. barbarity (noun) Cruel action; inhuman act; harsh conduct. barren (adjective) 1. Infertile; impotent. befuddle (verb) Stupefy or confuse; misconstrue. belated (adjective) Tardy; overdue. beleaguer (verb) Besiege; surround. belittle (verb) Humiliate; tease; diminish in importance. bemoan (verb) 1. Experience pain or distress. bemused (adjective) Preoccupied by thought; bewilder; perplexed. bilk (verb) Defraud; deceive; hoodwink. blandishment (noun) Cajolery; enticement. bliss (noun) Gaiety; happiness; enjoyment. blithe (adjective) Happy; pleased; delightful. boisterous (adjective) Noisy; loud; violent; rowdy. boorish (adjective) Ill-mannered; rude; gauche. brevity (noun) Briefness; succinctness; terseness. broach (verb) Introduce; bring up; mention. 2. Disciplinarian. 2. Arid; unproductive. 2. Express pity for; mourn. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 11 browbeat (verb) Intimidate; harass; dominate. bungle (verb) Botch; mismanage; spoil. buttress (noun) Truss; foundation; support. C cacophonous (adjective) Discordant; dissident; harsh. callow (adjective) Inexperienced; immature; naïve. candid (adjective) Frank; blunt; open. carouse (verb) Drink to excess; live it up. cease (verb) Stop; end; halt. celerity (noun) Swift motion; speed; alacrity. censorious (adjective) Critical; attacking; denouncing. charlatan (noun) Fraud; person claiming knowledge he/she does not have; humbug; fake; hustler. chary (adjective) Careful; cautious. chasten (verb) Castigate; punish; reprove. cherubic (adjective) Sweet; kind; innocent. chimerical (adjective) Fanciful; whimsical; playful. Noun: chimera chronic (adjective) Compulsive; typical; habitual; inveterate. churlish (adjective) Selfish; rancorous; surly. circuitous (adjective) Indirect; roundabout; rambling. clamor (noun) Loud noise or complaint; commotion; din. clandestine (adjective) Furtive; surreptitious, secret. clemency (noun) Lenience; mercy compassion. cloister (noun) Convent; monastery; religious place. coagulate (verb) Congeal; curdle; clot. coalesce (verb) Combine; incorporate; merge. coddle (verb) Pamper; overindulge; baby; spoil. coercion (noun) Intimidation; duress; force; compulsion. cognate (adjective) Related by blood; having the same origin. commensurate (adjective) Equal in measure; of the same duration or size. compile (verb) Collect data; accumulate; amass. concomitant (adjective) Concurrent; attendant; occurring with something else. concordance (noun) Agreement; treaty; accord. confluence (noun) Nexus; union; meeting; conflux. confound (verb) Perplex; baffle; confuse. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 12 conglomerate (noun) Corporation; partnership; firm. conjugal (adjective) Matrimonial; nuptial; marital. constrict (verb) Squeeze; pinch; obstruct; block. contentious (adjective) Argumentative; pugnacious; quarrelsome. contrite (adjective) Penitent; apologetic; remorseful. Adj: contrite conundrum (noun) Mystery; puzzle. convoke (verb) Convene; assemble. Noun: convocation copious (adjective) Plentiful; ample; profuse. corpulence (noun) Stoutness; obesity. coterie (noun) Small group of people who share interests and meet frequently. crass (adjective) Vulgar, grossly ignorant; indelicate. credulous (adjective) Gullible; unsuspecting; naïve. cryptic (adjective) Enigmatic; obscure; secret; puzzling. ctenoid (adjective) Comb-like; having narrow segments. cuboid (adjective) Having the shape of a cube. cucullate (adjective) Hood-shaped. curmudgeon (noun) Cantankerous person. D daub (verb) Blur; smear; spread. dawdle (verb) Procrastinate; loiter; idle; dally. dearth (noun) Paucity; shortage; deficiency. debased (adjective) Lowered in status or character; degenerate. decipher (verb) Solve or figure out a puzzle; translate; untangle. declivity (noun) Downward slope. decorum (noun) Appropriate conduct; polite or proper behavior, protocol. delectable (adjective) Delicious; delightful; savory. deleterious (adjective) Destructive; poisonous; unhealthy. delineate (verb) Describe; outline; depict. delusion (noun) Untrue belief; hallucination; fallacy; misconception. demagogue (noun) Incendiary; agitator; opportunist. denounce (verb) Reprove; accuse; condemn. depravity (noun) Perverted disposition; wickedness; vileness; corruption. deprecatory (adjective) Disapproving; belittling. desecrate (verb) Contaminate; profane, defile. desist (verb) Discontinue or stop; cease; renounce. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 13 desolate (adjective) Alone; without hope or comfort; forsaken. despoil (verb) Ravage; rob; loot. despot (noun) Dictator; tyrant; totalitarian. diatribe (noun) Extreme; bitter; and abusive speech; vituperation; tirade. didactic (adjective) Pedantic; academic; for teaching. diffidence (noun) Self-doubt; timidity; shyness. dilatory (adjective) Lackadaisical; lazy; remiss. diligent (adjective) Assiduous; studious; hard-working. diminution (noun) Decrease; reduction. disaffected (adjective) Disillusioned; dissatisfied; discontented. disapprobation (noun) Dislike; reservation; denunciation. disband (verb) Disperse; dissipate; scatter; dispel. discontent (adjective) Unhappy; displeased; miserable. discursive (adjective) Circuitous; digressive, rambling. dissemble (verb) Disguise; conceal; mask; camouflage. dishearten (verb) Dismay; daunt; depress. disinterment (noun) Exhumation; removal of a body from a grave. disoblige (verb) Slight or offend. disparage (verb) Deprecate; belittle or abuse. dispassionate (adjective) Imperturbable; unemotional; calm; composed. disputatious (adjective) Quarrelsome; contentious, argumentative. dissension (noun) Conflict; disagreement; strife. dissonant (adjective) Cacophonous; inharmonious, discordant; strident. dissuade (verb) Obstruct; hinder; deter. distend (verb) Bloat; bulge; swell; stretch. dither (noun) Commotion; turmoil. divination (noun) Prediction; prophecy; forecast. dolt (noun) Cretin; fool; dimwit; idiot. dotard (noun) Senile person. dubious (adjective) Irresolute; uncertain; moot. duplicity (noun) Cunning; fraud; trickery; deception. E edify (verb) Instruct; enlighten; educate. efface (verb) Cancel; delete; obliterate. effervescent (adjective) Lively; volatile. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 14 effigy (noun) Mannequin; likeness; image. effrontery (noun) Impudence; nerve; gall. egregious (adjective) Flagrant; glaring; outrageous. elegiac (adjective) Mournful; sorrowful; sad. elucidate (verb) Interpret; define; clarify; explain. emanate (verb) Radiate; flow from; emit. emasculate (verb) Deprive of strength. embroil (verb) Implicate; enmesh; involve. emcee (noun) Master of ceremonies. empathize (verb) Identify with; understand. emulate (verb) Model; pattern. enervate (verb) Exhaust or weaken; debilitate. engender (verb) Generate; produce; cause. enigmatic (adjective) Cryptic; baffling; mysterious. Noun: enigma enmesh (verb) Tangle or involve. ennui (noun) Dullness; boredom; monotony. enthrall (verb) Mesmerize; captivate; thrill. entrench (verb) Fortify; reinforce; secure. ephemeral (adjective) Transitory; fleeting; passing; temporary. epicure (noun) Person devoted to luxurious living; person with refined tastes. epithet (noun) Word used to describe or characterize a person or thing. equilibrium (noun) Balance; stability; poise. equivocate (verb) Prevaricate; dodge; evade; hedge. erudition (noun) Learning; knowledge; enlightenment. Adj: erudite escapade (noun) Adventurous conduct; unusual behavior. esoteric (adjective) Confidential; personal; private; privileged. espouse (verb) Embrace; defend; support. ethereal (adjective) Incorporeal; intangible; airy. eulogy (noun) Commendation; speech giving great tribute. euphonic (adjective) Pertaining or agreeable to the ear. evanescent (adjective) Ephemeral; fading; brief. exigent (adjective) Pressing; insistent; urgent. exonerate (verb) Acquit; vindicate; free from responsibility. exorcise (verb) Cast out evil spirits; expel demons. expatriate (verb) Send into exile; renounce one’s own country. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 15 expedite (verb) Speed up matters; accelerate; quicken. expunge (verb) Obliterate; remove; erase; exterminate. expurgate (verb) Remove erroneous or objectionable material; delete; edit. extemporaneous (adjective) Spontaneous; impromptu. extol (verb) Praise; laud; hail; glorify. extradite (verb) Transfer a person to another jurisdiction for possible prosecution for an alleged offense. extricate (verb) Remove; loosen; untie. fallible (adjective) Faulty; imperfect. fallow (adjective) Idle; dormant. fastidious (adjective) Meticulous; exacting. fathom (verb) Measure; discover; perceive. fatuous (adjective) Ludicrous; inane; idiotic; silly. fecund (adjective) Prolific; productive; fruitful. felicity (noun) Great happiness; bliss. fetter (verb) Restrain; restrict; curb. fetid (adjective) Possessing an offensive smell; malodorous; foul; gamey. fickle (adjective) Capricious; erratic; spasmodic. fledgling (noun) Young or inexperienced person; young bird. flippant (adjective) Nonchalant; frivolous, superficial; light. florid (adjective) Ornate, flushed with rosy color; ruddy. flout (verb) Ridicule; scoff; mock; scorn. foible (noun) Frailty; imperfection; weakness. forswear (verb) Repudiate; forsake; eschew. fulsome (adjective) Loathsome; excessive. fume (noun) Gas; vapor; harmful or irritating smoke. furtive (adjective) Clandestine; secretive; surreptitious; covert. F G gambol (verb) Play; frolic; romp. garble (verb) Confuse; scramble; distort. garish (adjective) Gaudy; ostentatious; excessive. garner (verb) Collect; receive; attain; acquire. giddy (adjective) Scatterbrained; silly; frivolous. goad (verb) Incite; pressure; irk; arouse; awaken. grandiloquence (noun) Pompous or bombastic speech; lofty, swelling language. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 16 grisly (adjective) Frightening; ghastly; gory; hideous. grovel (verb) Act in a servile way; cringe; kneel. guile (noun) Wiliness; deceit; cunning. guzzle (verb) Gulp; swill; consume to excess. H hackneyed (adjective) Trite; common; overdone; banal. haggle (verb) Dicker; barter; make a deal. hallow (verb) Make holy; consecrate; sanctify. hamper (verb) Hinder; frustrate; impede. harbor (verb) Preserve; conceal; secure; shelter. hardy (adjective) Stalwart; robust; sturdy. haughty (adjective) Arrogant; disdainful; blatantly proud; contemptuous. hearten (verb) Encourage; give strength. hedge (verb) Enclose; surround; fence. hedonism (noun) Intemperance; self-indulgence; excess. herald (verb) Announce; broadcast; report. heretic (noun) Nihilist; infidel; radical; dissenter. hiatus (noun) Interruption; pause; gap hilarity (noun) Boisterous merriment; enjoyment. histrionic (adjective) Pertaining to actors; melodramatic. hoary (adjective) Frosted; grey; grizzled. hyperbole (noun) Exaggeration; fanciful statement; enhancement. I iconoclasm (noun) Attack on religious values or symbols. Adj: iconoclastic ignoramus (noun) Moron; fool; dimwit. immutable (adjective) Incorruptible; enduring; unchanging. impecunious (adjective) Poor; destitute; penniless. imperturbable (adjective) Even-tempered; level-headed; calm. impervious (adjective) Airtight; sealed; impenetrable. impetuous (adjective) Hasty; rash; impulsive. impregnable (adjective) Invincible; invulnerable; unable to capture or enter. impromptu (adjective) Makeshift; spontaneous. improvident (adjective) Reckless; rash. impugn (verb) Denounce; censor; attack. inauspicious (adjective) Unfavorable. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 17 inaudible (adjective) Faint; soft; hard to hear. incipient (adjective) Embryonic; developing; in the beginning stages. incisive (adjective) Perceptive: astute. inclusive (adjective) All-encompassing; broad in scope; comprehensive. incoherent (adjective) Illogical; inconsistent. incongruous (adjective) Inconsistent; unsuitable; contradictory. incorrigible (adjective) Unruly; delinquent; incapable of reform. indecorous (adjective) Inappropriate; indelicate; unseemly. indefatigable (adjective) Diligent; persistent; inexhaustible. indenture (noun) Contract binding a person to work for another. indolence (noun) Lethargy; idleness; sloth. inebriation (noun) Drunkenness; intoxication. ingenuous (adjective) Genuine; open; candid; frank. inimical (adjective) Antagonistic; hurtful; harmful; adverse. innocuous (adjective) Dull; harmless; innocent. inscrutable (adjective) Mysterious; perplexing. insipid (adjective) Dull; banal; tasteless. insolvent (adjective) Bankrupt; unable to pay debts. intercede (adjective) Intervene; negotiate. intonate (verb) Speak or utter with a particular tone. intractable (adjective) Unruly; disobedient. intrinsic (adjective) Inherent; natural; innate. inveigh (verb) Abuse; criticize; rebuke. inveterate (adjective) Habitual; chronic. irascible (adjective) Testy; touchy; irritable. issue (verb) Discharge; emerge; emanate. J jettison (verb) Eliminate; discharge. jollity (noun) Gaiety; merriment. judicious (adjective) Logical; reasonable; clever. juncture (noun) Joint; seam; intersection; joining. juxtapose (verb) Place side by side. K knotty (adjective) Snarled; tangled. L Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 18 labyrinth (noun) Maze; network; puzzle. lachrymose (adjective) Weepy; tearful. laconic (adjective) Concise; terse; curt. lamentation (noun) Complaint; moan. lampoon (verb) Mock; ridicule. languish (verb) Decline; diminish; weaken. largess (noun) Charity; philanthropy; gift. lassitude (noun) Fatigue; weariness; debility. laudable (adjective) Commendable; admirable; exemplary. laxity (noun) Carelessness; indifference. Adj: lax lethargy (noun) Idleness; listlessness; passivity. levity (noun) Lightness; frivolity. linger (verb) Loiter; remain; hesitate. lithe (adjective) Flexible; agile; mobile; bendable. loutish (adjective) Clumsy; idiotic; buffoon like. ludicrous (adjective) Outlandish; silly; ridiculous. lurid (adjective) Shockingly vivid; horrifying; sensational. maladroit (adjective) Clumsy; unskilled. M malapropism (noun) Inappropriate or ludicrous use of a word. malevolent (adjective) Venomous; spiteful; malignant. malinger (verb) Feign illness to escape work; shirk. marred (adjective) Having blemishes; damaged; defaced. maudlin (adjective) Overemotional; mushy. meander (verb) Twist; bend; zigzag. mendicant (noun) Almsman; beggar; leech; parasite. meticulous (adjective) Precise; scrupulous; particular. mettle (noun) Stamina; bravery; courage. mince (verb) Chop; mitigate. mire (noun) Mud; slime; muck. moribund (adjective) Failing; waning; ailing. motley (adjective) Multicolored; spotted; mixed. multifarious (adjective) Diverse; many-sided; multiple. mundane (adjective) Boring; ordinary; typical; tedious. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 19 munificent (adjective) Generous; extravagant; philanthropic. N nascent (adjective) Beginning; embryonic; incipient. nefarious (adjective) Evil; vile; sinister; wicked. neologism (noun) Newly coined phrase or expression. noxious (adjective) Nocuous; harmful; malignant. O obdurate (adjective) Stubborn; intractable. obsequious (adjective) Servile; groveling. obviate (verb) Make unnecessary. odious (adjective) Detestable; loathsome; revolting; sickening. officious (adjective) Meddlesome. opaque (adjective) Impenetrable by light; dull; dark; obscure. optimum (noun) Peak or prime; ideal. opulent (adjective) Affluent; well-to-do; plentiful. ostentatious (adjective) Conspicuous; showy. ostracize (verb) Exclude; isolate; bar; shun. P palpable (adjective) Noticeable; obvious; apparent. paltry (adjective) Minor; petty; insignificant. panegyric (noun) Elaborate praise, public compliment. paragon (noun) Model or standard of excellence. pariah (noun) Outcast; misfit; refugee. parochial (adjective) Religious; restricted. parsimony (noun) Miserliness; unusually excessive frugality. partisan (noun) Fan or supporter; enthusiast supporting a particular cause or issue. pastiche (noun) Hodgepodge; literary or musical piece imitating other works. paucity (noun) Scarcity; shortage; dearth. peccadillo (noun) Small sin or fault. pedantic (adjective) Stuffy or dogmatic; meticulous; academic. peevish (adjective) Irritable; grouchy; ill-tempered. pejorative (adjective) Degrading; derogatory; negative. percipient (adjective) Able to perceive or see things as they actually are. perfidy (noun) Deliberate breach of faith or trust; treachery. peripheral (adjective) Marginal; outer; surrounding. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 20 perspicacious (adjective) Astute; keen; perceptive. philistine (noun) Barbarian; person lacing artistic judgment. pique (verb) Irritate; miff; offend. pithy (adjective) 1. Substantial; profound placid (adjective) Sincere; tranquil; composed; sedate. plaintive (adjective) Sad; mournful; pathetic. platitude (noun) 1. Triteness plaudit (noun) Enthusiastic expression. pliable (adjective) Limber; malleable; flexible. poignant (adjective) Intense; powerful; biting; piercing. polemical (adjective) Controversial; argumentative; debatable. polyphony (noun) Music with two or more melodies blended together. porous (adjective) Permeable; absorbent; having holes. posthumous (adjective) Arising or continuing after someone’s death. potable (adjective) Drinkable. prattle (verb) Gab; babble. precocious (adjective) Showing premature development. precursor (noun) Forerunner. prescient (adjective) Showing foresight; predicting events before they occur. primeval (adjective) Belonging to a primitive age. primordial (adjective) Belonging to a primitive age; first in time. proclivity (noun) Tendency; inclination; propensity. 2. Brief; concise. 2. Cliché; trivial remark. -11- procrastinate (verb) Postpone; stall; defer. prodigious (adjective) Exceptional; impressive; of huge quantity; immense. proficient (adjective) Skillful; masterful; expert. progeny (noun) Heir; descendant; offspring. prolific (adjective) Fruitful; abundant; fertile. prosaic (adjective) Common; routine; ordinary. protean (adjective) Taking many forms; changeable; variable. protract (verb) Elongate; lengthen; prolong. prudent (adjective) Careful; cautious; judicious. puerile (adjective) Juvenile; immature; childish. pugilism (noun) Boxing. pugnacity (noun) Eagerness to fight; belligerence. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 21 pulchritude (noun) Beauty; physical appeal. pulverize (verb) Grind; crush; smash. Q quagmire (noun) Marsh; quicksand; swamp. quandary (noun) Dilemma; fire; entanglement. querulous (adjective) Difficult; testy; disagreeable. quibble (verb) Argue or bicker. quixotic (adjective) Romantic; whimsical; unrealistic. R rabid (adjective) Berserk; diseased; sick. ramble (verb) Meander; roam rancorous (adjective) Antagonistic; hostile; spiteful. rarefy (verb) Make thin; purify; make less dense. raucous (adjective) Harsh; annoying; piercing; shrill. raze (verb) Demolish; level; topple. reactionary (adjective) Opposing progress; characterized by reaction. recalcitrant (adjective) Headstrong; disobedient; stubborn. recant (verb) Rescind; retract; take back. reconciliation (noun) Settlement or resolution. redundant (adjective) Excessive; repetitious; unnecessary. refractory (adjective) Unmanageable; obstinate; not responsive to treatment. refurbish (verb) Overhaul; remodel. regimen (noun) Administration; government; system. remedial (adjective) Restorative; corrective; healing. remuneration (noun) Compensation; wages. rend (verb) Rip; tear; splinter. reprobate (noun) Degenerate; person without morals. repudiate (verb) Recant; disclaim; reject; disavow. rescind (verb) Cancel; repeal; veto. resilient (adjective) Elastic; stretchy; rebounding. resonant (adjective) Reverberant; ringing. resplendent (adjective) Dazzling; glorious; intense. restive (adjective) Nervous; restless; uneasy. retrospection (noun) Contemplation of past things. reverent (adjective) Devout; solemn; worshipful. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 22 ribald (adjective) Lewd; obscene; irreverent. rudiment (noun) Beginning; foundation or source. ruffian (noun) Brutal person; cruel and sadistic person. ruminate (verb) Contemplate; think about. S saccharine (adjective) sugary; syrupy. savant (noun) Intellectual; scholar; philosopher. scanty (adjective) Meager; scarce. scoff (verb) Mock; ridicule. sequester (verb) Separate; isolate; segregate. soporific (adjective) Hypnotic; lethargic; causing sleep. spurious (adjective) Bogus; false. spurn (verb) Defy; reject. squalor (noun) 1. Severe poverty. stratagem (noun) Plot; tactic; deception. strident (adjective) Discordant; harsh; piercing. strife (noun) Conflict; turmoil; struggle. stultify (verb) Inhibit; make ineffective; cripple. supercilious (adjective) Egotistic; proud; arrogant. surfeit (noun) Overabundance; excess; surplus. surly (adjective) Choleric; rude; sullen. surreptitious (adjective) Covert; furtive; acquired by stealthy means. svelte (adjective) Graceful; slim. sybarite (noun) Someone devoted to luxury; pleasure-seeker. sycophant (noun) Flatterer. 2. Filthiness. T taciturn (adjective) Reserved; shy; uncommunicative. tantamount (adjective) Indistinguishable; equivalent. taper (verb) Diminish; tin; narrow. tawdry (adjective) Gaudy; showy; loud. temerity (noun) Rashness; audacity; recklessness. tensile (adjective) Pertaining to tension; stretchable; ductile. tenuous (adjective) Attenuated; flimsy; thin. tirade (noun) Diatribe; angry speech. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 23 torpor (noun) Lethargy; apathy; dormancy. trepidation (noun) Anxiety; alarm; apprehension. truant (adjective) Indolent; absent; idle. turgid (adjective) Swollen; bombastic; distended. turpitude (noun) Depravity; baseness; shamefulness. U undulate (verb) Move in a wavy manner. unfathomable (adjective) Baffling; puzzling; incomprehensible. unkempt (adjective) Uncombed; messy; untidy. unscathed (adjective) Unhurt; uninjured. unwieldy (adjective) Clumsy; awkward; unmanageable. upbraid (verb) Rebuke; scold; criticize. upshot (noun) Final result; conclusion; end. V vacillate (verb) Hedge; waver; fluctuate. variegated (adjective) Multicolored; polychromatic; varied. vehement (adjective) Fierce; emphatic; intense. venerate (verb) Admire; show respect. veracity (noun) Truth; sincerity; honesty; candor. verbose (adjective) Wordy; talkative; profuse. verdant (adjective) Lush; thick with vegetation; leafy. viable (adjective) Living; alive; feasible. vigilance (noun) Attentiveness; prudence; care. vilify (verb) Defame; denigrate. virulent (adjective) Fatal; lethal; toxic. vitriolic (adjective) Scathing; caustic. vociferous (adjective) Clamorous; outspoken; noisy; vocal. voluble (adjective) Verbose; wordy; garrulous. voluminous (adjective) Huge; immense; bulky. voracious (adjective) 1. Enthusiastic; overly eager. vouchsafe (verb) Confer; grant; permit. 2. Starving. W wan (adjective) Anemic; colorless; pale. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 24 waver (verb) Totter; fluctuate. whet (verb) Stimulate; sharpen; intensify. wistful (adjective) Yearning; pensive; sad. woe (noun) Anguish; grief; affliction. writhe (verb) Squirm; twist. Z zealot (noun) Fanatic; radical; enthusiast. zenith (noun) Apex; summit; peak. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 25 Classic Reading List Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women (1300); Little Men (1260); Jo’s Boys (1210) Austen, Jane. Emma (1080); Northanger Abbey ; Mansfield Park (1180); Persuasion (1120); Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility (1180) Bagnold, Enid. National Velvet The Bible Blackmore, Richard D. Lorna Doone Boulle, Pierre. The Bridge on the River Kwai Bradbury, Ray. Dandelion Wine; The Illustrated Man; The Martian Chronicles; Fahrenheit 451 Buchan, John. The Thirty-Nine Steps Buck, Peal. The Good Earth Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim’s Progress Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; Through the Looking Glass Cather, Willa. My Antonia; O Pioneers! Christie, Agatha. Mysteries Clark, Walter. The Ox-Bow Incident Cooper, James Fenimore. The Deerslayer; The Last of the Mohicans Curie, Eve. Marie Curie: A Biography Dana, Richard Henry. Two Years Before the Mast Day, Clarence. Life With Father Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe (1220); Moll Flanders (1390); Journal of the Plague Year (1420) Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol; A Tale of Two Cities; David Copperfield; Oliver Twist Douglas, Lloyd C. The Robe Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Dumas, Alexander. The Count of Monte Cristo; The Man in the Iron Mask; The Three Musketeers Du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca; My Cousin Rachel Edmunds, Walter D. Drums Along the Mohawk Eliot, George. Silas Marner Ferber, Edna. Cimarron Fitzgerald, F. Scott. This Side of Paradise; short stories Forbes, Esther. Johnny Tremain Forester, C.S. The African Queen; The Horatio Hornblower series Frank, Anne. Diary of a Young Girl Gallico, Paul. The Snow Goose Gunther, John. Death Be Not Proud Gutherie, A.B. The Big Sky Haggard, H. Rider. King Solomon’s Mines Hamilton, Edith. Mythology Hammet, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea; A Farewell to Arms; For Whom the Bell Tolls Herriot, James. All Creatures Great and Small; All Things Bright and Beautiful; All Things Wise and Wonderful; The Lord God Made Them All; Every Living Thing Hersey, John. A Bell for Adano; Hiroshima; The Wall Heyerdahl, Thor. Kon-Tiki Hilton, James. Goodbye, Mr. Chips; Lost Horizon Homer. The Iliad; The Odyssey Hudson, W.H. Green Mansions Hughes, Richard. A High Wind in Jamaica Hugo, Victor. The Hunchback of Notre Dam; Les Miserables Keller, Helen. The Story of My Life Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 26 Kennedy, John F. Profiles in Courage Kipling, Rudyard. Kim Knowles, John. A Separate Peace Le Guin, Ursula K. Very Far Away from Anywhere Else Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird London, Jack. The Sea-Wolf; Call of the Wild Lord, Walter. A Night to Remember Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte d’Arthur Maxwell, Gavin. Ring of Bright Water McCullers, Carson. Member of the Wedding Michener, James. The Bridges at Toko-Ri Mitchell, Margaret. Gone With the Wind Montgomery, L.M. The Anne of Green Gables series Nordhoff Charles and J.N. Hall. Mutiny on the Bounty O’Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphin Orczy, Baroness Emma. The Scarlet Pimpernel Paton, Alan. Cry, The Beloved County Pyle, Howard. Men of Iron Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead; We the Living; Anthem; Atlas Shrugged Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan. The Yearling Rowling, J.K. the Harry Potter series Renault, Mary. The King Must Die Roberts, Kenneth. Northwest Passage Schafer, Jack. Shane Scott, Sir Walter. Ivanhoe Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein Smith, Mary. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Speare, Elizabeth. The Witch of Blackbird Pond Spyri, Johanna. Heidi Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath, The Pearl; East of Eden Stevenson, Robert Lewis. The Black Arrow; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Kidnapped; Treasure Island Stoker, Bran. Dracula Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit; The Lord of the Rings Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; The Adventure of Tom Sawyer; A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court; Innocents Abroad; Life on the Mississippi Verne, Jules. Around the World in Eighty Days; Journey to the Center of the Earth; Mysterious Island; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Wallace, Lewis. Ben-Hur Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery Wells, H.G. The Time Machine; War of the Worlds Wharton, Edith. Ethan Frome; The House of Mirth White, T. H. The Once and Future King; The Sword in the Stone Wilder, Thornton. The Bridge of San Luis Rey Wister, Owen. The Virginian Wyss, Johann. The Swiss Family Robinson Yates, Elizabeth. Amos Fortune, Free Man See also: http://www.petersons.com/education_planner/preparing_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=College_Bound_Readin g_List http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/23628.html http://www.sms.org/books_co.htm Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 27 Spelling Challenges acceptable accidentally accommodate acquire acquit a lot amateur apparent argument atheist believe bellwether calendar category cemetery changeable collectible column committed conscience conscientious conscious consensus daiquiri definite(ly) discipline drunkenness dumbbell embarrass(ment) equipment exhilarate exceed existence experience fiery foreign gauge grateful guarantee harass height hierarchy humorous ignorance immediate independent indispensable inoculate intelligence its/it's jewelry judgement kernel (colonel) leisure liaison library license lightning maintenance maneuver medieval memento millennium miniature minuscule mischievous misspell neighbor noticeable occasionally occurrence pastime perseverance personnel playwright possession precede principal/principle privilege pronunciation publicly questionnaire receive/receipt recommend referred reference relevant restaurant rhyme rhythm schedule separate sergeant supersede their/they're/there threshold twelfth tyranny until vacuum weather weird Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 28 Notes for Better SAT Essays Focus Keep to your topic. Even if a detail is funny or interesting, if it’s off the topic, it’s out of focus! You should have only ONE topic or main idea in a paragraph. It’s easier for the reader to see your structure if you have clear paragraphs. 1. Use the question to develop your thesis statement, which is the LAST sentence of your intro. 2. Aim for 2-3 body paragraphs and INDENT. The length isn’t important as long as you’re thorough. Use logical transitions. 3. DON’T use “In conclusion” to begin your conclusion. Any bonehead can see that it’s your final paragraph. ONLY use that phrase when you give an oral presentation. Refer to your thesis, Choose a logical order 1. Chronological a. Plot summaries b. Series of events, a process or “how to,” directions c. History Transition examples: first, next, last, to start, later, finally, at the beginning, during, at the end. 2. Spatial a. Use for description b. Use to guide reader Transition examples: left, right, top, bottom, north, south, east, west, in the middle, below, above 3. Order of importance (least to most) a. Use to build an argument b. Support opinions with examples and reasons Transition examples: one example, another example, the most important example, a good (or bad) reason, a better (or worse) reason, the best (or worst) reason 4. Order of importance (most to least) In journalism: present major facts (who, what, when, where, why, how), followed by other details. Use SPECIFIC examples to illustrate your points. They may be from your personal experience, literature, history, the news, sports, or entertainment (movies, TV, songs, etc.) You cannot use “YOU” except in a quotation. In formal essays you cannot use “I,” either. It’s okay to use “I” in personal essays, BUT be careful to be consistent. Ms. B’s SAT Prep for Critical Reading/Writing 29 Don’t state the obvious: As I stated before, my grandfather has led a very interesting life and I intend to prove it to you Should be: My grandfather has led a very interesting life. (You can’t use “you,” remember?) Don’t be wimpy or vague. Avoid “would be,” “might be,” etc. and use “is” or “are.” Don’t begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). Be careful if you begin with a subordinating conjunction that it is part of a complex sentence, not just a fragment. Only use a semicolon/comma with an adverbial conjunctive IF you’re joining two clauses. I want I better SAT score; therefore, I’m taking the prep class (compound sentence) The solution, therefore, is to sacrifice nine mornings of summer. (simple transition) Don’t EVER say, “The reason is because…” Use, “The reason is that…” Don’t begin a sentence with, “There are…” It isn’t wrong; it’s just poor style. Check your punctuation carefully: 1. Use apostrophes ONLY to show possession or contraction, NEVER PLURALS! Bobby’s pen We’re going (= we are going) NEVER 3 pencil’s 2. In quotations, end punctuation (commas, periods, question marks, exclamation points) goes INSIDE the end quotes: “I know,” I said. I said, “Please come here.” Nominative or Objective Case Pronouns, or what’s the difference between “I” and “me”? 1. Use “I” when it is the subject (doing the action) or predicate nominative (after linking verbs) My friends and I went to the movies NOT It was I who called (“was” is a liking verb) NOT My friends and I went to the movies It was me who called. 2. Use “me” when it is the direct and indirect object (after action verbs and prepositions). She would exclude my friends and me A girl like me… NOT NOT …exclude my friends and I. A girl like I… 3. Also, “I” and “me” ALWAYS come last in the series: 30 My friends and me OR and I NOT Me OR I and my friends Pronouns and Antecedents 1. Pronouns are substitutes. ALWAYS use the “real” noun first. This is the antecedent. Tim is really funny, but he can be serious, too. 2. Pronouns and antecedents both have to be singular OR both plural. This is called agreement. Everyone had to try his or her best NOT Everyone had to try their best. 3. Be sure that your pronoun has a clear antecedent or else it will be ambiguous: Sue and Jo called Jo’s mom NOT Sue and Jo called her mom (whose, Sue’s or Jo’s?) Reflexive Pronouns (the ones that end with –self and –selves) 1. Attach the sending; a reflexive is ALWAYS one word: myself NOT my self 2. –self is singular; -selves is plural: myself, yourself, itself, himself, herself ourselves, yourselves (a group) themselves 3. Don’t use the reflexive as a substitute for the objective: He gave it to me NOT He gave it to myself Avoid fragments, comma splices, and run-ons. Be sure to use the correct word for what you mean: Accept (taking) Than (compAring) Loose (what some boys’ britches are) Clothes (what you wear) Their (pronoun) Lie (to recline) Except (excluding) Then (nExt) Lose (can’t find something) Cloths (what clothes are made of) There (opposite of HERE) Lay (to place) Work on the words you know you tend to misspell. 31 Ms. B’s Basic Grammar (Or Things That Her Voice in Your Head Will Haunt You About For the Rest of Your Life) The English language depends on words’ syntax, or order, for meaning. Everyone understands: The quick fox jumped over the lazy dog but the same words in a different order: Dog the over fox jumped quick lazy the make no sense. The job a word does in a sentence is called its part of speech. One word can be several different parts of speech depending on its position in a sentence and what it is doing. The rose bloomed yesterday. Part of speech:___________________ The rose curtains look nice in the room. Part of speech:___________________ The cat rose and stretched. Part of speech:___________________ The four kinds of sentences are declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory. A. Declarative sentences make a statement. B. Imperative sentences give a command. Remember that the understood subject is you. C. Interrogative sentences ask questions. The usual word order may be inverted. D. Exclamatory sentences (guess what?) exclaim. Do NOT overuse these in your writing. Every sentence in English MUST have a subject and a verb. The four sentence patterns you’ve studied are: S-V S-V-O S-V-IO-O S-LV-C Remember, subjects and objects are ALWAYS nouns or pronouns. A phrase is a group of words working together, such as the verb and its auxiliaries, and prepositions, infinitives, and gerunds and their objects A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It can be independent or dependent. An independent clause makes sense by itself; a dependent clause MUST be connected to an independent clause to make sense. Dependent clauses can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. The eight parts of speech are interjections, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. 32 1. Interjections are just expressions of exclamation or feeling. They are not connected grammatically to the rest of the sentence. They are followed by a comma or an exclamation point. Examples: Oh, rats! Sugar! 2. Nouns are people, places, things, or ideas. They are often preceded by the word the, a, or an, which are called articles (a special kind of adjective; see below). Nouns can be concrete (something observable with the senses) or abstract (something only thought of, such as an emotion or quality). Names of specific people, places, and things are called proper nouns and are always capitalized. Examples: teachers, school, desk, learning, Ms. Bailey-Orchard, Indiana Junior High, English Nouns can function in the sentence as the subject (the thing DOING the action) or an object (something being acted on). They are called predicate nominatives when they follow a linking verb because they are in the predicate. Ask yourself, “What is the action? Who or what is doing this action?” Example: The dogs ran madly around the block. verb_____________ subject__________ My mother is planting new flowers. verb_____________ subject__________ Note: possessive nouns function as adjectives. NEVER USE AN APOSTROPHE TO MAKE A NOUN PLURAL!!! If you are referring to a letter, then AND ONLY THEN can you use an apostrophe in order to avoid confusion with a word: He had five A’s on his report card. Note, though, you can simply add the “s” to a digit: That phone number has four 5s in it. 33 Pronouns substitute for nouns in a sentence. They are either singular or plural, and the verb has to agree with it. Pronouns refer to a noun (called the antecedent), and the pronoun has to agree with it, too. There are several different kinds. The most common are the personal pronouns. There are three basic cases, or types, of personal pronouns. a. Nominative case (these are the forms when they are the subject of the sentence or when they follow a linking verb) Singular Plural I we 2 person you you 3rd person he, she, it they 1st person nd b. Objective case (these are the forms when they are an object in the sentence, clause, or phrase, such as the object of a preposition). Singular Plural me us 2 person you you 3rd person him, her, it them 1st person nd c. Possessive case (these are the forms when they show ownership). Singular Plural 1st person my, mine our, ours 2nd person your, yours your, yours 3rd person his, his, her, hers, its*, its* their*, theirs *be careful about the spelling of these! NEVER use an apostrophe! 34 d. Reflexive and intensive pronouns ATTACH –self or –selves. DO NOT use these in place of the objective case. Singular Plural myself ourselves 2 person yourself yourselves 3rd person himself themselves 1st person nd herself itself Reflexive: I did the project myself. Intensive: I myself did the project. e. There are four demonstrative pronouns/adjectives: this, that, these, those. f. There are five interrogative pronouns used to ask questions: what which who (nominative) whom (objective) whose (possessive) g. There are six relative pronouns whose job is to introduce dependent clauses (noun or adjective): that which what who whom whose NOTE: NEVER say, “The reason is because…”; it should be, “The reason is that…” The verb that follows these pronouns agrees with the pronoun’s antecedent: The book [that is on the table] will be for sale. “Book,” the antecedent of “that,” is singular. The books [that are on the table] will be for sale. “Books” is plural. It is I [who am responsible for the mistake]. NOTE: remember, if these words are modifying a noun, they are functioning as adjectives. They are only pronouns if they are fulfilling the function of a noun, such as a subject or a kind of object. 35 h. There is a group of pronouns called indefinite pronouns. The following are singular; they ALWAYS take the singular form of a verb or pronouns: another either neither nothing anybody everybody nobody somebody anyone everyone no one someone each one none* something NOTE! DO NOT USE “THEY” AFTER THESE!!!! WRONG: Everyone (singular) should study their (plural) notes. CORRECT: Everyone (singular) should study his (singular) notes. *some feel that “his” excludes females and that a person should use “his or her.” ALSO CORRECT: All students (plural) should study their (plural) notes. These are the plural indefinite pronouns: both few many others several Some are ”weird”: sometimes singular, sometimes plural, depending on the noun to which they refer: all more most some All of the papers are waiting to be graded. All of the test is graded. VERY weird: whether they are singular or plural depends on the word to which they refer any none i. Reciprocal pronouns: each other (two) one another (more than two) 36 3. Verbs The principle parts of a verb are its present tense, past tense, and past participle. Regular verbs follow this pattern: Ex: walk walked (have) walked However, there are dozens of irregular verbs whose forms change. Ex: go went (have) gone Be sure to review any that are difficult for you. Verbs are one of two kinds. The first kind is action (showing something that can be done). If it can be done, it’s an action verb. Example: walk, study, throw, sing, smile The second kind of verb is linking (attaching description to the subject). The most familiar linking verbs are forms of the verb “to be”: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been The verbs become and seem are “existence” verbs, and they are also ALWAYS linking verbs. A tricky group of verbs is called the sense verbs. They can be EITHER action OR linking depending on what they’re doing: appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell, sound, taste, and turn. They are action verbs when someone or something is doing them. Examples: That rash appears when I eat strawberries. I will remain here in case he comes back. She felt the rough sandpaper. He smelled the flower. I want to be a movie star when I grow up. The officer sounded the alarm. The teacher looked at me. I tasted the frosting. Mr. McCue proved his theory. The dancer turned and leaped across the floor. 37 They are linking verbs when they connect a description to the subject (the noun being described). Examples: She appears ill [this describes how she looks; she is not materializing out of thin air.] The sandpaper felt rough. [this describes what kind of texture it has; it does not have tiny hands] The hour grew late, and we had to leave [this describes how much it was late; it didn’t sprout leave.] The teacher looked pleased. [this describes what kind of expression she had; she’s not peering at something.] The directions proved difficult to understand. [this describes what kind they are; they’re not wearing lab coats.] Those spots remained dark even after the bleach. [this described what kind they were; they weren’t hanging out at the corner.] The roses smelled gorgeous. [this describes what kind of smell they have; they do not have tiny noses.] The alarm sounded shrill. [this describes what kind of sound it made; it does not have tiny ears.] The frosting tasted too sweet. [this describes what kind of flavor it has; it does not have a tongue.] The milk turned sour after a week. [this described what kind of flavor it milk had; it wasn’t wearing a tutu and pointe shoes.] 38 A verb can tell when the action takes place. This is called the verb’s tense. The main verb is preceded by auxiliary, or helping, verbs. When you identify the verb of the sentence, be sure to include ALL the auxiliary verbs. The auxiliary and main verbs create the total verb phrase. Examples: I have taught here 13 years. Main verb:____________ aux:___________ I am teaching 8th grade now. Main verb:____________ aux:___________ I will be teaching for the next 30 years. Main verb:____________ aux:___________ I might retire when I win the lottery. Main verb:____________ aux:___________ Common auxiliary verbs (you may have memorized them in a song in 7th grade): am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, do, does, did, have, has, had, may, might, must, will,, can, could, shall, should, will, would CAREFUL!! Forms of the “to be” are auxiliary or “helping” verbs when they are followed by a main verb. Example: I am being careful to explain the rules. I was walking to school this morning. BUT they are linking verbs when they are connecting descriptive words to the subject, even if they have auxiliary verbs in front of them. Example: I am a teacher Subject:______________ description:________________ He will be happy you called. Subject:______________ description:________________ Tenses: the purpose of auxiliary verbs is to create tense. The main tenses are: PRESENT (no aux): I walk PAST (no aux): I walked FUTURE (aux: will): I will walk 39 PROGRESSIVE (aux: “to be”; main verb: present participle, ALWAYS ends in -ing): I am walking (present progressive), I was walking (past progressive) PERFECT (aux: “to have”; main verb past participle, may end in -ed, -en, -t, or be irregular.): I have walked (present perfect); I had walked (past perfect) These auxiliaries can even be combined: For example: At noon, I will have been walking for three hours. (future perfect progressive) The other auxiliaries create the conditional and emphatic tenses. VOICE: Verbs also have voice: active or passive Verbs in the active voice have a subject performing the action: I fed the dog. Verbs in the passive voice have something being done to the subject by someone or something else: The dog was fed by me. The passive voice is formed with a form of the auxiliary verb “to be” plus the past participle of the main verb. It is often (but not always) followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with “by.” Sometimes that phrase is simply implied; it can be a way for the speaker to avoid responsibility! In writing, the active voice is strongly preferred. The hardest verbs in the English language to keep straight : lie and lay Lie means to recline; lay, on the other hand, means to put or place something. Lay is a transitive verb, meaning that there is always an object after it. (Lay the book on the shelf. Book is the object.) The principal parts of lie and lay are listed below. lie: lie, lying, lay, (have) lain [hint: lie, long “i” sound, means “to recline”] lay: lay, laying, laid, (have) laid [hint: lay, long “a” sound, means “to place”] The confusion generally seems to occur with the forms of lie. The following sentences illustrate the correct and incorrect uses of lay and lie. lie/lay I lie [not lay] on the floor when I watch television. [hint: you don’t lay eggs!] I lay my keys on the table when I arrive home from work. lying/laying I am lying [not laying] on the floor watching television. I am laying my briefcase on my desk to remind me that I have work to finish. 40 lay/laid Yesterday I lay [not laid] in bed all day with a fever. Yesterday I laid my briefcase on my desk and forgot about it when I left for work. (have) lain/(have) laid I have lain [not have laid] in bed all day with a fever. [hint: lain = in bed] I have laid my briefcase on my desk to remind me that I have work to finish. [hint: laid rhymes with egg, which a chicken has laid] Although these are two extremely confusing verbs, with a little practice, you should have them down pat. 4. Adjectives modify or describe nouns or pronouns ONLY. They tell what kind, which one, and how many. The way to remember the function of adjectives is to imagine that you have a rich Uncle Fester. When you turn 16, he offers to buy you a car, and you want him to ask those questions. What kind of car? Which one? How many cars? The words the, a, and an are adjectives called articles. “The” is the definite article; “a” and “an” are indefinite articles. This is one of the very few examples where the word used is based on euphony, or how it sounds. Use “a” in front of a consonant SOUND and “an” in front of a vowel SOUND; the word “the” is often pronounced “thee” in front of vowel sounds, too, an unidentified flying object a UFO the cat the (“thee”) earth Some things to keep in mind: Use “fewer” for things that can be counted, “less” for things that can be measured: We had fewer inches of rain last month. (you can count inches) We had less rainfall than we did last year. (you can measure rainfall) Use the comparative (adj + -er or “more”/ “less” + adj) for two things, the superlative (adj + -est or “most” / “least”) for three or more things She is smarter than her sister. She is the smartest one in her family. He is less attractive than a warthog. He is the least attractive wildebeest I’ve seen. Special note: use from when using the adjective different in comparing two persons or things: My book is different from (not than) yours. 41 5. Adverbs modify or describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They often end in –ly (but not always; “lovely” is one exception). They tell where, when, how, to what extent, under what condition, and why. The way to remember the function of adverbs is to imagine you’ve had a minor accident in the car Uncle Fester gave you. He’s going to ask you Where did it happen? When did it happen? How did it happen? To what extent did it happen? Under what condition did it happen? Why did it happen? When adverbs tell to what extent, they are called intensifiers. They act like a volume control on a stereo to turn up or down the intensity of the word they are modifying. Intensifiers modify adjectives and adverbs. Hint: the words “here” and “there” are often adverbs. So are “never” and “not” (when it modifies an verb, adverb, or adjective). Adverbial conjunctives (BOTH IN Indiana County): adverbs or adverb phrases that form compound sentences by joining two independent clauses. ALWAYS put a semicolon in front and a comma after it. Besides However In addition Otherwise In fact Consequently Therefore Nevertheless Prepositional phrases are made up of a preposition and a noun (or pronoun) that is called the object of the preposition. The prepositional phrase ALSO contains all the modifiers of the object of the preposition. This object answers the question “whom” or “what.” They function as adjectives or adverbs, and they can come anywhere in the sentence. They do NOT contain the subject, verb, direct object or indirect object of the sentence. BEWARE: “to” + noun = preposition; “to” + verb = infinitive; “for” is a conjunction when it joins two sentences; it is a preposition when it answers, “how.” In imperative and declarative sentences, objects follow the preposition. The object answers the question, “what?” as in The mouse ran down the clock Down what? Down the clock. 42 In interrogative and some exclamatory sentences, the object may come before the preposition: What are you looking at? Prepositional phrases show direction or relationship, and they function as adjectives (when they tell which one, what kind, how many, or how much about a noun) or as adverbs (when they tell where, when, how, or to what extent about a verb, adjective, or adverb). The nine most commonly used (92% of the time!) prepositions are at, by, for, from, in, of, on, to, and with. This list MUST be memorized. You can do this easily by singing it to the tune “Yankee Doodle.” Aboard About Above Across After Against Along Amid Among Around Aside At Atop Behind Below Beneath Beside/besides Between Beyond But (except) By Before Except Onto Out Over Until Up Upon In Inside Into Past [not passed] With Within Without Like Through Throughout To Toward For From Since Concerning Near Down During Of Off On Under Underneath According to Because of In spite of Instead of On account of Out of NOTE: Some of these words may be used by themselves. If they are, they are NOT prepositions; they are adverbs. NEVER SAY, “WHERE IS IT AT?” The word “at” is a dangling preposition; it has no object. Just say, “Where is it?” Grammar Underground: Verbals (AKA “PIGs”) Verbals are formed from (guess what?) verbs, but THEY NEVER FUNCTION AS THE VERB OF THE SENTENCE. There are three kinds: A. Gerunds: end in –ing and ALWAYS function as a noun in the sentence. The six possible functions of the noun are: subject, appositive, complement, direct object, indirect objective, or object of the preposition. A hint to remember these is SACDIP. S: Walking is important exercise D: Don’t delay walking to the store. A: My favorite exercise, walking, is easy to do. I: You should give walking a try. C: My favorite exercise is walking P: You can get there quicker by walking 43 NOTES: Gerunds can have objects that answer the question “what?”: use a possessive noun or pronoun when the gerund is the object of the sentence: She took a picture of my jumping the fence. [this emphasizes that the jumping is the point] Think carefully about the difference with this sentence: She took a picture of me jumping the fence. In this second example, “me” is the object of the preposition; “jumping the fence” is a participial phrase describing “me.” The emphasis here is on “me,” not the activity. Look at this example: I was annoyed with Sam interrupting my lecture SHOULD BE I was annoyed with Sam’s interrupting my lecture. It wasn’t “Sam” himself that was annoying; it was his “interrupting”. Use the possessive case. B. Participles: end in –ing (present participles) or –ed, -en, or become an irregular form (passive participles). They are ALWAYS adjectives. The falling water made a soothing sound. The fallen tree blocked the road. They can be an entire phrase. When they are, the next noun MUST be the word they are modifying; otherwise, you’ll have a dangling participle. WRONG Turning the corner, the post office was on the right. (post offices can’t move) RIGHT: Turning the corner, I saw the post office on the right. C. Infinitive: to + a verb. These are tricky because they can function nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Note: just like prepositions, gerunds and infinitive can have objects: nouns that follow them that answer the question, “what?” S: To walk a 1000 miles is a lofty goal. (“miles” is the object of the infinitive, “to walk”) A: My goal, to walk 1000 miles, is difficult C: My goal is to walk 1000 miles. D: I want to walk 1000 miles. Adjective: The class to take is English 9. (modifies the noun, “class,” telling which one) Adverb: I went to visit my brother (modifies the verb “went,” telling where; “brother” is the object of the infinitive) 44 NOTE: avoid splitting infinitives. Try not to put a modifier between the “to” and the verb AVOID: To boldly go where no man has gone before SHOULD BE: To go boldly where no man has gone before Dependent Clauses Adverb clauses: begin with an SC and modify verbs, adjective, and adverbs Adjective clauses: begin with an RP and modify nouns or pronouns Noun clauses: begin with 1) an RP; 2) the adverbs how, when, where, whether, why; and 3) words ending in –ever and function as the Subject, Appositive, Complement, Direct Object, Indirect Object, or Preposition (object of) Remember when a clause is necessary to the meaning of the sentence, it is RESTRICTED. Do NOT put commas around it. When the clause is adding additional information, it is UNRESTRICTED and set off with commas. The teacher whom I will always remember is Ms. B [RESTRICTED clause; no commas] Ms. B, who is a fanatic grammarian, will haunt me forever. [UNRESTRICTED; put commas around it] Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): use to form compound sentences by joining two independent clauses. ALWAYS put a comma in front of the conjunction For And Nor But Or Yet So Subordinating conjunctions: use to form complex sentences by beginning an adverb clause. When a sentence begins with an SC, you MUST put a comma at the end of the clause. after although as as if as long as as soon as as though because before if since so that than* though unless until when whenever where wherever whether while why in order that *when using than, remember that the verb is sometimes implied: She is a better writer than I (am) NOT She is a better writer than me. 45 Correlative conjunctions: These four ALWAYS work in pairs and must join words that are the SAME parts of speech Both…and either…or neither…nor not only…but also If one of the words joined is singular and the other plural, the verb agrees with the word nearest it: Either the president or the officers are officiating at the ceremony. Either the officers or the president is officiating at the ceremony. PS. “Y’all” is NOT incorrect, ungrammatical, or nonstandard. emphasizes the plural. It is a contraction of “you all,” which 46