Grade: Grade 9 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Vocabulary System SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

High-Frequency Words

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The SAT and ACT don't explicitly test vocabulary lists, but high-frequency words appear regularly in reading passages and answer choices. Building vocabulary helps you comprehend complex texts faster and select precise answers on test day.

High-Frequency SAT/ACT Words

High-frequency words are vocabulary terms that appear repeatedly on standardized tests. These are typically academic words used in scholarly writing across subjects, not obscure terms. Knowing them improves reading speed and answer accuracy.

Why Vocabulary Matters on the SAT/ACT

  • Reading comprehension: Understanding passage vocabulary is crucial for main idea and inference questions
  • Words in Context: SAT asks which word best captures meaning in context
  • Answer precision: Test writers use specific vocabulary to create wrong answers that "almost" work
  • Writing sections: Word choice questions test your understanding of nuance

50 Essential SAT/ACT Words

Word Definition Example Sentence
Ambiguous Open to multiple interpretations; unclear The contract's ambiguous language led to a lawsuit.
Undermine To weaken or damage gradually The scandal undermined public trust in the institution.
Substantiate To provide evidence for; verify The researcher substantiated her claims with data.
Advocate (v.) To support; (n.) A supporter She advocates for environmental protection.
Scrutinize To examine closely and critically The committee scrutinized every line of the budget.
Reconcile To make compatible; restore harmony She struggled to reconcile her beliefs with the evidence.
Bolster To support or strengthen New studies bolster the case for exercise.
Pragmatic Practical rather than idealistic The pragmatic approach focused on achievable goals.
Anomaly Something that deviates from the norm The warm December day was an anomaly.
Elicit To draw out a response The question elicited a surprising answer.

Additional High-Frequency Words

Study these additional words that frequently appear on the SAT/ACT:

  • Corroborate - To confirm or support with evidence
  • Infer - To conclude from evidence and reasoning
  • Implicit - Implied but not directly stated
  • Explicit - Stated clearly and directly
  • Nuance - A subtle distinction or variation
  • Conjecture - A conclusion based on incomplete information; a guess
  • Concede - To admit or acknowledge (often reluctantly)
  • Refute - To prove wrong with evidence
  • Assert - To state confidently as fact
  • Contend - To argue or maintain a position

Tone and Attitude Words

These words appear in questions about author's tone:

  • Skeptical - Doubtful, questioning
  • Dismissive - Rejecting as unworthy
  • Cautious - Careful, measured
  • Objective - Neutral, unbiased
  • Satirical - Mocking through humor
  • Reverent - Showing deep respect
  • Ambivalent - Having mixed feelings
  • Condescending - Patronizing, talking down

Learning Vocabulary Effectively

Research shows the best vocabulary learning comes from: (1) Seeing words in context, not just memorizing definitions; (2) Using words in your own writing and speaking; (3) Learning word roots, prefixes, and suffixes; (4) Spaced repetition - reviewing words over time, not cramming.

SAT/ACT Connection

Words in Context questions ask you to determine meaning from surrounding text. Even if you know a word's common meaning, check how it's used in the passage - tests often feature secondary definitions. For example, "check" can mean verify, stop, or a pattern.

Examples

Example 1: Words in Context

Problem: "The scientist's claim was met with considerable scrutiny from her peers." Which word could replace "scrutiny" without changing the meaning?

Step 1: Understand the context - peers are responding to a claim.

Step 2: Define "scrutiny" - close, critical examination.

Step 3: Consider the tone - "met with" suggests the scrutiny was a response, possibly challenging.

Step 4: Test synonyms: examination, analysis, criticism, review.

Answer: "Examination" or "critical analysis" could replace "scrutiny" while preserving the meaning of careful, questioning review.

Example 2: Identifying Tone

Problem: An author writes: "The politician's promises, though eloquent, have a remarkable tendency to evaporate upon contact with reality." What is the author's tone?

Step 1: Identify key phrases - "remarkable tendency to evaporate" is clearly negative.

Step 2: Note the contrast - "eloquent" (positive) vs. empty promises (negative).

Step 3: Consider the technique - the author uses irony and exaggeration.

Step 4: Eliminate options: Not "reverent" (no respect), not "objective" (clearly critical), not "ambivalent" (clear position).

Answer: The tone is "sardonic" or "skeptical" - the author uses dry humor to express criticism and doubt.

Example 3: Using Word Roots

Problem: You encounter the unfamiliar word "circumlocution." Use roots to determine its meaning.

Step 1: Break down the word: circum- + locut- + -ion

Step 2: "Circum-" means "around" (as in circumference, circumvent)

Step 3: "Locut-" means "speak" (as in elocution, eloquent)

Step 4: "-ion" makes it a noun

Step 5: Combine: "speaking around" something

Answer: Circumlocution means using many words to avoid saying something directly; roundabout speech. "The politician's circumlocution made it hard to determine his actual position."

Example 4: Distinguishing Similar Words

Problem: Choose the correct word: "The evidence seemed to (corroborate/collaborate) the witness's testimony."

Step 1: Define both words:

- Corroborate: to confirm or support with evidence

- Collaborate: to work together with others

Step 2: Analyze the sentence - evidence is supporting testimony.

Step 3: Evidence can't "work together" with testimony - it can only confirm it.

Answer: "Corroborate" is correct. The evidence corroborates (confirms, supports) the testimony.

Example 5: Secondary Meanings

Problem: "The teacher's measured response calmed the anxious students." What does "measured" mean in this context?

Step 1: Consider common meanings of "measured" - calculated, determined by measurement.

Step 2: Test the common meaning - "calculated response" doesn't quite fit "calmed."

Step 3: Consider the context - the response calmed students, suggesting it was careful and controlled.

Step 4: Identify the secondary meaning - "measured" can mean deliberate, careful, restrained.

Answer: In this context, "measured" means careful, deliberate, and controlled - not rushed or emotional. This secondary meaning is common on the SAT/ACT.

Practice

Test your understanding of high-frequency vocabulary with these questions.

1. The evidence failed to _____ the defendant's alibi.

A) Undermine B) Substantiate C) Scrutinize D) Advocate

2. Which word describes a tone of doubt?

A) Reverent B) Objective C) Skeptical D) Enthusiastic

3. The author's argument was weakened, or _____:

A) Bolstered B) Undermined C) Advocated D) Reconciled

4. "The warm weather in January was an anomaly." Anomaly means:

A) Something expected B) Something normal C) Something unusual D) Something predicted

5. Which word means "to draw out a response"?

A) Elicit B) Illicit C) Explicit D) Implicit

6. A pragmatic approach is:

A) Idealistic B) Practical C) Theoretical D) Unrealistic

7. "The meaning was implicit in the text." Implicit means:

A) Stated directly B) Implied but not stated C) Impossible to understand D) Written in code

8. To reconcile two ideas means to:

A) Make them compatible B) Keep them separate C) Choose one over the other D) Ignore both

9. A condescending tone is:

A) Humble and modest B) Patronizing and superior C) Nervous and uncertain D) Friendly and warm

10. Which word means to prove something wrong?

A) Corroborate B) Substantiate C) Refute D) Assert

Click to reveal answers
  1. B) Substantiate - To substantiate is to provide evidence for; the evidence failed to support the alibi.
  2. C) Skeptical - Skeptical means doubtful or questioning.
  3. B) Undermined - To undermine is to weaken or damage gradually.
  4. C) Something unusual - An anomaly is something that deviates from the norm or expected.
  5. A) Elicit - To elicit is to draw out a response. (Don't confuse with "illicit" meaning illegal.)
  6. B) Practical - Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than theory or ideals.
  7. B) Implied but not stated - Implicit means suggested without being directly expressed.
  8. A) Make them compatible - To reconcile is to find a way for things to exist together harmoniously.
  9. B) Patronizing and superior - Condescending means treating others as if they're less intelligent.
  10. C) Refute - To refute is to prove a statement or argument wrong with evidence.

Check Your Understanding

1. Why is it important to study vocabulary in context rather than just memorizing definitions?

Reveal Answer

Studying vocabulary in context is essential because: (1) Many words have multiple meanings, and context determines which applies; (2) You learn how words function grammatically in sentences; (3) You see connotations and nuances that definitions alone don't capture; (4) Contextual learning creates stronger memory connections; (5) SAT/ACT questions specifically test contextual understanding, not dictionary definitions. For example, knowing "check" means "to verify" doesn't help if the passage uses it to mean "to stop" or "a pattern."

2. How can knowing word roots, prefixes, and suffixes help you on the SAT/ACT?

Reveal Answer

Word roots, prefixes, and suffixes let you decode unfamiliar words: (1) Many English words share Latin and Greek roots, so learning one root unlocks many words; (2) Prefixes change meaning predictably (un-, dis-, anti- typically negate); (3) Suffixes indicate part of speech (-tion = noun, -ous = adjective); (4) Even if you can't determine exact meaning, you can often eliminate wrong answers. For example, if you know "bene-" means good, you can understand benevolent, benefit, beneficiary, and more.

3. Explain the difference between "elicit" and "illicit."

Reveal Answer

These are commonly confused words that sound similar but have entirely different meanings: "Elicit" (verb) means to draw out or evoke a response - "The question elicited laughter." "Illicit" (adjective) means illegal or forbidden - "The illicit trade in endangered animals." Memory tip: "Elicit" starts with E like "evoke" (both mean drawing something out). "Illicit" has two L's like "illegal." On tests, these words are sometimes placed as wrong answers to trap students who confuse them.

4. Create a study strategy for learning 10 new vocabulary words per week effectively.

Reveal Answer

An effective vocabulary study strategy: (1) Day 1: Introduce words with definitions AND example sentences in context; (2) Day 2-3: Write your own sentences using each word; try using them in conversation; (3) Day 4: Study word roots, prefixes, suffixes; identify related words; (4) Day 5: Practice with fill-in-the-blank and synonym/antonym exercises; (5) Day 6: Review and self-test; identify words you're struggling with; (6) Day 7: Cumulative review including words from previous weeks; (7) Ongoing: Keep a vocabulary journal; note new words you encounter in reading; use spaced repetition (review at increasing intervals).

🚀 Next Steps

  • Review any concepts that felt challenging
  • Move on to the next lesson when ready
  • Return to practice problems periodically for review