SAT Prep 2-25-08

SAT Prep 2-25-08SAT Prep 2-25-08

Vocabulary/ Reading Vocabulary/ Reading ComprehensionComprehension

VocabularyVocabulary

Ambiguous- Uncertain; subject to Ambiguous- Uncertain; subject to multiple interpretationsmultiple interpretations Being ambiguous about your future is not Being ambiguous about your future is not

a good thing. a good thing. Ambivalence-attitude of uncertainty; Ambivalence-attitude of uncertainty;

conflicting emotionsconflicting emotions There was a heightened sense of There was a heightened sense of

ambivalence as the trial was coming to a ambivalence as the trial was coming to a close and still with no sure sign of what close and still with no sure sign of what the verdict may be.the verdict may be.

Amenable- agreeable; cooperativeAmenable- agreeable; cooperative The amenable contract brought many The amenable contract brought many

happy faces to the class room.happy faces to the class room. Amenity- pleasantness; something Amenity- pleasantness; something

increasing comfortincreasing comfort Many people desire to have free Many people desire to have free

amenities when they rent an apartment, amenities when they rent an apartment, but they can’t.but they can’t.

Bisect- to cut into two (usually Bisect- to cut into two (usually equal) partsequal) parts He wanted to bisect the costs so that He wanted to bisect the costs so that

each individual could pay less.each individual could pay less. Blight- to afflict; destroyBlight- to afflict; destroy

He wanted to blight the situation, so he He wanted to blight the situation, so he lit the room on fire.lit the room on fire.

Bonanza- extremely large amount; Bonanza- extremely large amount; something profitablesomething profitable There was a bonanza at the mall today. There was a bonanza at the mall today.

You need to go and buy something now.You need to go and buy something now. Bonhomie- good-natured geniality; Bonhomie- good-natured geniality;

atmosphere of good cheeratmosphere of good cheer Think of homies with bonds are usually Think of homies with bonds are usually

cheerful. cheerful.

Citadel- Fortress or strongholdCitadel- Fortress or stronghold The citadel was missing a wall, so the The citadel was missing a wall, so the

enemy overtook the stronghold quickly.enemy overtook the stronghold quickly. Clamor- to make a noisy outcryClamor- to make a noisy outcry

There was much clamor in the There was much clamor in the classroom after the teacher surprised classroom after the teacher surprised everyone with a quiz.everyone with a quiz.

Demographics- data relating to study Demographics- data relating to study of human populationof human population The demographics shows that many The demographics shows that many

students are trying harder than ever to students are trying harder than ever to get accepted into colleges.get accepted into colleges.

Demote- to reduce to a lower grade Demote- to reduce to a lower grade or rankor rank He was demoted after a poor showing He was demoted after a poor showing

at yesterday’s eventat yesterday’s event

Denounce- to accuse; blameDenounce- to accuse; blame The students denounced the teacher The students denounced the teacher

after news broke out that the teacher after news broke out that the teacher was grading unfairlywas grading unfairly

Denude- to make bare, uncover, Denude- to make bare, uncover, undressundress To make the store look ready for the To make the store look ready for the

grand opening, the workers were ask to grand opening, the workers were ask to denude the models and to put on the denude the models and to put on the latest fashion.latest fashion.

Encipher- to translate a message into Encipher- to translate a message into codecode In order to avoid spies, the US In order to avoid spies, the US

enciphered their message with the enciphered their message with the Navajo language.Navajo language.

Encumber- to hinder, burden, restrict Encumber- to hinder, burden, restrict motionmotion Many students complain about the Many students complain about the

teachers encumbering them with teachers encumbering them with homeworkhomework

Enjoin- To urge, order, command; Enjoin- To urge, order, command; forbid or prohibit, as by judicial orderforbid or prohibit, as by judicial order The judge enjoined that the parties make The judge enjoined that the parties make

an out of court agreement or else the an out of court agreement or else the defendant will be severely punished.defendant will be severely punished.

Ennui- boredom, lack of interest and Ennui- boredom, lack of interest and energyenergy Students are annoyed when it is ennui.Students are annoyed when it is ennui.

Filibuster- use of obstructive tactics Filibuster- use of obstructive tactics in a legislative assembly to prevent in a legislative assembly to prevent adoption of a measureadoption of a measure The filibuster went for hours until The filibuster went for hours until

everyone in the Senate voted.everyone in the Senate voted. Finicky- fussy; difficult to pleaseFinicky- fussy; difficult to please

Many parents are finicky about their Many parents are finicky about their student’s grades.student’s grades.

Gibe- to make a heckling, taunting Gibe- to make a heckling, taunting remarksremarks The fans were gibing the player to the point The fans were gibing the player to the point

he barked back a profane statement.he barked back a profane statement. Girth- distance around somethingGirth- distance around something

The earth’s girth is quite large.The earth’s girth is quite large. Glower- to glare, stare angrily and Glower- to glare, stare angrily and

intenselyintensely After looking at her test score, she glowered After looking at her test score, she glowered

at her nemesis.at her nemesis.

Gluttony- eating and drinking to Gluttony- eating and drinking to excessexcess Many college freshmen struggle with Many college freshmen struggle with

gluttony, thus why many gain the gluttony, thus why many gain the “Freshmen 15.”“Freshmen 15.”

Heterodox- unorthodox, not widely Heterodox- unorthodox, not widely acceptedaccepted The church rejected the heterodox The church rejected the heterodox

teaching that was occurring. teaching that was occurring.

ReviewReview

Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension The whole point of this portion is to The whole point of this portion is to test test

your ability to comprehend, analyze, your ability to comprehend, analyze, and even evaluateand even evaluate small passages of small passages of reading.reading.

Always ask yourself if a particular Always ask yourself if a particular choice is choice is irrelevant (correct, but not irrelevant (correct, but not answering the question) or extreme answering the question) or extreme (takes a conclusion too far or makes (takes a conclusion too far or makes a leap of faith)a leap of faith)

ReviewReview

First Step: Believe that the answer is in First Step: Believe that the answer is in the text.the text.

Second Step: READ THE QUESTIONSSecond Step: READ THE QUESTIONS There are about 7 different types that There are about 7 different types that

you will face on the exam.you will face on the exam. WARNING: Since there are different types WARNING: Since there are different types

of questions, that means you must learn to of questions, that means you must learn to identify the type of question as quickly as identify the type of question as quickly as possible. This will only come by through possible. This will only come by through practice.practice.

ReviewReview

Basic Comprehension QuestionsBasic Comprehension Questions Comprehension questions test you on your Comprehension questions test you on your

ability to recall and understand what you ability to recall and understand what you read in a passageread in a passage..

When reading any passage, you should be When reading any passage, you should be able to answer the following questions.able to answer the following questions. Who is speaking?Who is speaking? Who is the speaker addressing?Who is the speaker addressing? What is the speaker’s main point?What is the speaker’s main point? How does the speaker articulate his point?How does the speaker articulate his point?

Analytical QuestionAnalytical Question

The second type of question is the The second type of question is the analytical question.analytical question.

Analysis questions actually test your Analysis questions actually test your ability to examine an ability to examine an author’s intent, author’s intent, thoughts, and purposes in a thoughts, and purposes in a passage. Analysis questions also ask passage. Analysis questions also ask you to extend the information you to extend the information presented in a passage to another presented in a passage to another setting or even infer from the setting or even infer from the passagepassage

Analytical QuestionsAnalytical Questions 1 Looking back now, it seems that US attitude 1 Looking back now, it seems that US attitude 2 toward nuclear war was downright silly back 2 toward nuclear war was downright silly back 3 then. Kids hiding under desks, bomb shelters 3 then. Kids hiding under desks, bomb shelters 4 beneath homes, and “massive retaliation” are 4 beneath homes, and “massive retaliation” are 5 all memories from those turbulent times. Yet 5 all memories from those turbulent times. Yet 6 it seems that we were probably right to be 6 it seems that we were probably right to be 7 anxious about the Soviets and their will to 7 anxious about the Soviets and their will to 8 use the bomb. Even in the 60’s, Soviet leader 8 use the bomb. Even in the 60’s, Soviet leader 9 Kruschev launched a bid to move missiles 9 Kruschev launched a bid to move missiles 10 to Cuba. Nuclear war was, in fact, always 10 to Cuba. Nuclear war was, in fact, always 11 an imminent possibility – and, no matter 11 an imminent possibility – and, no matter 12 how flippant it may seem now, it was better 12 how flippant it may seem now, it was better 13 to be prepared than to be annihilated. 13 to be prepared than to be annihilated.

Analytical QuestionsAnalytical Questions

First, First, determine what the question determine what the question is really askingis really asking. . Most of the time, you will need to Most of the time, you will need to

breakdown the question you are facing. breakdown the question you are facing. In other words, simplify the point of the In other words, simplify the point of the

question. What is the question aiming question. What is the question aiming for?for? ExampleExample

With which of the following statements would With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?the author most likely agree?

What’s the author’s attitude toward the war?What’s the author’s attitude toward the war?


Second, Second, answer that driving question answer that driving question yourselfyourself. . Not that you answer it from your own Not that you answer it from your own

perspective, but answer from the text (stay perspective, but answer from the text (stay in the box). in the box).

In this case, he recognizes that nuclear war In this case, he recognizes that nuclear war was a real possibility (line 11 – “imminent was a real possibility (line 11 – “imminent possibility”) and basically agrees with the possibility”) and basically agrees with the approach to nuclear war that the US took approach to nuclear war that the US took “back then,” saying that it is “better to be “back then,” saying that it is “better to be prepared.” prepared.”

Analytical QuestionsAnalytical Questions Third, Third, use the statement you developed to use the statement you developed to

address the choicesaddress the choices. . A) Nuclear war is a larger problem now than it A) Nuclear war is a larger problem now than it

was in the 60’s was in the 60’s B) Kruschev would never actually use a B) Kruschev would never actually use a

nuclear weapon nuclear weapon C) The US was prepared for all-out nuclear C) The US was prepared for all-out nuclear

war in the 60’s war in the 60’s D) The US took the threat of nuclear war D) The US took the threat of nuclear war

seriously in the 60’s seriously in the 60’s E) Cuba would not have launched a nuclear E) Cuba would not have launched a nuclear

attack attack


A) Nuclear war is a larger problem now A) Nuclear war is a larger problem now than it was in the 60’s than it was in the 60’s

B) Kruschev would never actually use a B) Kruschev would never actually use a nuclear weapon nuclear weapon

C) The US was prepared for all-out C) The US was prepared for all-out nuclear war in the 60’s nuclear war in the 60’s

D) The US took the threat of nuclear D) The US took the threat of nuclear war seriously in the 60’swar seriously in the 60’s

E) Cuba would not have launched a E) Cuba would not have launched a nuclear attacknuclear attack

Analytical QuestionsAnalytical Questions 1 Betty and I looked into the foyer. It was 1 Betty and I looked into the foyer. It was 2 a dark, musky kind of room, full of 2 a dark, musky kind of room, full of 3 cobwebs covering ancient photographs. 3 cobwebs covering ancient photographs. 4 It wasn’t really our house – sure, we 4 It wasn’t really our house – sure, we 5 moved in, but there was a presence to 5 moved in, but there was a presence to 6 the house, a sense that we were not 6 the house, a sense that we were not 7 welcome in the “humble abode.” We 7 welcome in the “humble abode.” We 8 were trespassers in this edification, 8 were trespassers in this edification, 9 and no matter how much we touched 9 and no matter how much we touched 10 the place up, it was still just not ours. 10 the place up, it was still just not ours.


Which of the following words Which of the following words best describes the narrator’s best describes the narrator’s attitude toward the house?attitude toward the house? 11stst Step- What is the question asking? Step- What is the question asking?

How does the narrator feel about the How does the narrator feel about the house?house?

22ndnd Step- Apply the question to the text Step- Apply the question to the text


A) Reverent A) Reverent B) Conceited B) Conceited C) Malicious C) Malicious D) Distant D) Distant E) Malignant E) Malignant Apply the 3Apply the 3rdrd step step

SAT Prep 2-25-08

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Transcript of SAT Prep 2-25-08