Test prep

SAT vocabulary practice

Practice interpreting words in context, with an emphasis on the meaning a writer intends in a particular sentence.

SAT vocabulary practice

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
analyzeverb	To study something carefully by examining its parts and how they relate.	We will analyze the survey responses to find common concerns.
assessverb	To examine something and judge its quality, importance, or condition.	The coach will assess each player's progress after six weeks.
contextnoun	The surrounding information or situation that helps explain what something means.	Read the whole paragraph to understand the word in context.
contrastverb	To examine or describe differences between things.	Contrast the two endings and explain how each changes the story.
deriveverb	To get something from a source or work it out from other information.	We can derive the missing measurement from the diagram.
evidencenoun	Information or observations that help show whether a claim is true.	The footprints provided evidence that an animal had crossed the garden.
implyverb	To suggest something without stating it directly.	Her message seemed to imply that the meeting would be postponed.
interpretverb	To explain or understand the meaning of something.	How do you interpret the final line of the story?
justifyverb	To give reasons or evidence showing that a choice, claim, or action is reasonable.	Justify your answer with a calculation.
nuancenoun	A small but meaningful difference in meaning, feeling, sound, or appearance.	The translator preserved the nuance between a polite request and a firm instruction.
perspectivenoun	A way of thinking about or viewing a situation.	Reading the diary gave us a different perspective on the journey.
relevantadjective	Closely connected to the topic or purpose being considered.	Include only details that are relevant to your main question.
significantadjective	Important enough to deserve attention or have an effect.	The bridge repair made a significant difference to our journey.
summarizeverb	To state the main points briefly.	Summarize the article in three sentences.
thesisnoun	The central claim that a piece of writing develops and supports.	The essay's thesis is that the city needs more shaded public spaces.
validadjective	Well founded or acceptable for the purpose being considered.	You have a valid reason to request more time.
ambiguousadjective	Open to more than one reasonable interpretation.	The ambiguous instruction left us unsure which door to use.
conciseadjective	Expressing the needed information clearly in few words.	Please send a concise update before the meeting.
meticulousadjective	Taking great care over small details so that work is accurate or complete.	The model required meticulous measurements before any wood was cut.
skepticaladjective	Not easily convinced that a claim is true or reliable.	I was skeptical of the promise until I saw the results.