SAT Vocabulary Words List PDF For Practice

“What does ‘perseverance’ mean as used in the passage?”

"The essay began with a stark anecdote about loss. **Then, it transitioned to broader reflections on resilience and hope.** Finally, it concluded with actionable steps for readers to recover from setbacks." What is the passage’s structure?

'The phrase "time is a thief" appears frequently in the poem, illustrating how quickly moments pass. The metaphor suggests that **time steals life’s experiences, leaving only memories behind.** This device evokes a sense of loss and urgency.' What is the effect of the metaphor in the passage?

'Throughout the speech, the speaker uses repetition and rhetorical questions to engage the audience. **Phrases like “What will we do?” and repeated calls for action emphasize urgency.** These rhetorical strategies strengthen the persuasive impact of the message.' How does the speaker use rhetorical devices?

“What is the author’s primary purpose in this passage?”

"Maria examined the old manuscript carefully. **She noted every smudge, every faded word, every nuance in the ink’s flow.** These details helped her reconstruct the author’s intent. Through these observations, she pieced together the larger narrative lurking beneath the surface." What detail supports her careful examination?

“In both passages, how does Text A differ in tone from Text B?”

“In the following passage, what is the central theme?”

'The chart shows annual rainfall over the past decade in three cities. City A averages 41 inches, City B averages 61 inches, and City C averages 81 inches per year. **The data reveals a steady increase in rainfall in City B but fluctuations in Cities A and C.** The passage explains that these trends affect local agriculture and water management.' What does the chart primarily illustrate?

"During his argument, James cited a report from the local university. **‘Over 71% of residents support green initiatives,’ the report states.** He used this statistic to reinforce his claim about public sentiment." Which piece of evidence strengthens his claim?

"Eleanor wrote in the margin, clearly frustrated. **‘Why choose such dense language when clarity suffices?’ she scribbled.** Her tone suggested impatience with unnecessary complexity, hinting at her preference for straightforward prose." What is the author’s likely purpose in this passage?

'The passage explains how photosynthesis converts sunlight into chemical energy in plants. **It details the role of chlorophyll in absorbing light and transforming it into sugars.** Additionally, it describes the importance of this process for sustaining life on Earth.' What is the primary subject of this passage?

'The passage discusses how urbanization impacts wildlife habitats. **It explains that habitat fragmentation leads to decreased biodiversity.** The author summarizes various studies showing species decline in urban areas. It concludes by suggesting urban planning strategies that could mitigate these effects.' What best summarizes the passage?

What is the main argument presented in the passage?

“Which detail best supports the passage’s main idea?”

“Which evidence best supports the answer to the previous question?”

'The passage details how photosynthesis converts sunlight into chemical energy in plants. It explains that chlorophyll absorbs light, which then powers a series of reactions producing glucose. **The accompanying diagram visually represents this process, illustrating energy flow and molecule transformation.** This aids in understanding the complex scientific explanation.' What role does the diagram play in the passage?

How does the tone shift in the second paragraph?

'The speech uses repetition and rhetorical questions to engage the audience. The speaker repeats the phrase "We must act now" several times, emphasizing urgency. **Additionally, rhetorical questions like "What will future generations say?" provoke reflection and involvement.** These techniques strengthen the call to action.' How do rhetorical devices contribute to the speech?

'The chart shows annual rainfall over the past decade in three cities. City A averages 41 inches, City B averages 61 inches, and City C averages 81 inches per year. **The data reveals a steady increase in rainfall in City B but fluctuations in Cities A and C.** The passage explains that these trends affect local agriculture and water management.' What does the chart primarily illustrate?

'The word “insidious” appears in the sentence: “The insidious effects of pollution often go unnoticed until damage is severe.” **Context clues indicate it means harmful in a subtle or gradual way.** The passage uses surrounding phrases about unnoticed damage to help infer the meaning.' What does “insidious” most likely mean here?

“How does the structure of this passage contribute to its meaning?”

'The poem describes time as a river that never stops flowing. **The metaphor suggests that life is constantly moving forward and cannot be reclaimed.** This literary device emphasizes the transient nature of existence.' What is the effect of the metaphor?

'The author’s tone shifts from optimistic to cautious throughout the essay. **Initially, the tone celebrates technological breakthroughs in medicine.** Later, it warns about ethical dilemmas and unforeseen consequences. This nuanced attitude reflects both hope and concern about rapid innovation.' What best describes the author’s tone?

'In his essay, the author claims that renewable energy adoption will significantly reduce global warming. **He argues that current fossil fuel dependence is the primary driver of climate change.** However, some critics question whether renewable sources can fully replace traditional energy within the next decade. The essay presents data from environmental studies and highlights technological advancements to support its argument.' What is the author's main argument?

“Which sentence shows a cause‑and‑effect relationship?”

'Although many enjoy outdoor exercise, the passage explains that for some, physical activity can lead to injuries or strain. **In contrast to this cautionary note, the following sentence recommends gradual increases in intensity to avoid harm.** This juxtaposition advises a safe approach to fitness.' How does the sentence with the underlined part relate to the previous sentence?

"The scientist described the term ‘polymer’ in technical language. **She then reiterated it as ‘a long molecule made of repeating units’ to aid comprehension.** Finally, she gave a practical example of plastic to ground the definition." What is the best definition of ‘polymer’ from context?

How does the chart’s data relate to the passage’s claim about exercise habits?

"The island’s cliffs were jagged and steep, **and the sea below roared relentlessly.** Yet somewhere in that roar, the fisherman heard a melody, one carried on the wind from distant shores." What can be inferred about the fisherman?

'In his essay, the author claims that renewable energy adoption will significantly reduce global warming. **He argues that current fossil fuel dependence is the primary driver of climate change.** However, some critics question whether renewable sources can fully replace traditional energy within the next decade. The essay presents data from environmental studies and highlights technological advancements to support its argument.' What is the author's main argument?

'The term "verdant" appears in the text describing the valley's lush greenery. Although the word might be unfamiliar, **context clues such as "lush greenery" and "dense foliage" suggest that verdant means green and full of vegetation.** Understanding this helps grasp the vividness of the setting.' What is the best inference about the word "verdant"?

"Passage A described urban pollution as ‘a choking blanket smothering the city.’ Passage B referred to it as ‘an ecosystem out of balance, screaming for restoration.’ **Both texts emphasize the urgent need for environmental action.** However, A focuses on sensory impact, while B highlights systemic disruption." What is the main contrast between the two passages?

"In the heart of the bustling city, a lone tree stood in a small park. **The branches reached out like arms, offering shade to passersby.** Over time, people began to gather beneath it, finding solace amid the chaos. The tree became a symbol of resilience and community." What is the central theme of this passage?

“What can be inferred about the narrator’s feelings?”

'Despite early success, the startup struggled to maintain growth. **Although revenues increased, costs rose disproportionately.** This complex sentence shows that growth did not translate to profitability, highlighting financial challenges.' What is the relationship expressed in the sentence?

"The island’s cliffs were jagged and steep, **and the sea below roared relentlessly.** Yet somewhere in that roar, the fisherman heard a melody, one carried on the wind from distant shores." What can be inferred about the fisherman?

"In the heart of the bustling city, a lone tree stood in a small park. **The branches reached out like arms, offering shade to passersby.** Over time, people began to gather beneath it, finding solace amid the chaos. The tree became a symbol of resilience and community." What is the central theme of this passage?

What is the best summary of the passage?

"Light is to shadow as knowledge is to ignorance. **Just as light dispels darkness, education drives away the darkness of not knowing.** In this way, learning and illumination become inseparable metaphors." What relationship is being highlighted?