SAT/ACT Vocabulary

Overview and Unit 1

Vocabulary Overview• Every week, you will receive 20 vocabulary

words that are often found on the SAT and ACT.• You will create vocabulary flashcards for all 20

words; these cards are due on Wednesdays• Quizzes are CUMULATIVE, and there will be a

test (in place of the quiz) every five units.

Overview, Pt. II• 13 of the 20 words will be required for

everyone to know• 7 of the 20 words will be “Challenge

Words” – you still make flashcards for these words, but they will only be included as Extra Credit on vocabulary quizzes

• Challenge Words will be marked with an asterisk (*) on vocabulary lists – you should also mark them on your flashcards

Vocabulary Flashcards• Flashcards should be 4x6 or 5x8• Divide your cards on both sides like this:

Side 1

• Upper-Left Corner: Vocabulary Word in large letters, part of speech in parentheses next to the word (an abbreviation is fine)

• Upper-Right Corner: Word Forms, or variations the word has depending on context and usage (shifts in part of speech, verb tense, etc.) *At Least TWO word forms per card

Side 1, Part II• Bottom of Side 1:

– Meaningful Sentence using the word with context clues

– Picture / visual image illustrating the vocab. word

Vocabulary Word with part of speech

Two alternate Word Forms

Meaningful sentence using vocabulary word and context clues and a visual image representing the vocabulary word.

Side 2• Upper-Left Corner: Synonyms• Upper-Right Corner: Antonyms

– I will give you some synonyms and antonyms each week. You are responsible for generating ONE additional synonym AND antonym for each word.

• Bottom of Side 2: Full definitionSynonyms Antonyms

Full Definition

Approbation

• (noun) the expression of approval or favorable opinion; praise; official approval

Synonyms: commendation, sanction

Antonyms: disapproval; censure; condemnation

Assuage

• (verb) to make easier, milder; to relieve; to quiet or calm; to put an end to

Synonyms: calm, alleviate, relax

Antonyms: intensify, aggravate, exacerbate

*Coalition

• (n) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

Synonyms: alliance, league, federation

Antonyms: splinter group, faction

*Decadence

• (n) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of excessive self-indulgence

Synonyms: degeneration; corruption

Antonyms: rise, growth, development, maturation

Elicit

• (verb) to draw forth; to bring out from a source

Synonyms: extract, pull out, evoke

Antonyms: repress, quash, squelch, stifle

*Expostulate

• (v) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course of action or decision by earnest reasoning

Synonyms: protest, remonstrate, complain

Hackneyed

•LOL • (adjective) used so often that it lacks freshness

or originalitySynonyms: trite, corny, overdoneAntonyms: fresh, original, new, novel

Hiatus

• (noun) a gap, an opening, or a break; a pause

Synonyms: vacation, time offAntonyms: continuity, continuation

Innuendo

• (noun) a hint or indirect suggestion, often in a negative sense

Synonyms: insinuation, intimationAntonym: direct statement

Intercede

• (v) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

Synonyms: intervene, mediate

Jaded

• (adjective) wearied, worn-out, dulled

Synonyms: spoiled, overindulged; sated, cloyed

Antonyms: unspoiled, uncloyed

Lurid

• (adjective) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale in color

Synonyms: gruesome, gory, grisly, horrible

Antonyms: pleasant, attractive, appealing, wholesome

Meritorious

• (adjective) worthy; deserving fame, praise, or recognition

Synonyms: praiseworthy, commendable, valuable

Antonyms: blameworthy, reprehensible, discreditable

Petulant

• (adj) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

Synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish

Antonyms: even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable

*Prerogative

• (n) special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

Synonyms: perk, perquisite

*Provincial

• (adjective) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind and outlook; countrified in the sense of being limited and backward

Synonyms: old-fashioned, naïve, narrow-minded

Antonyms: cosmopolitan, catholic, broad-minded

Simulate

• (v) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

Synonyms: feign, pretend, affect

Transcend

• (verb) to rise above or beyond; to exceed

Synonyms: surpass, outstrip

*Umbrage

• (n) an overshadowing influence of power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

Synonyms: irritation, pique, annoyance

Antonyms: pleasure, delight, satisfaction

*Unctuous

• (adj) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of sincerity

Synonyms: servile, fawning, greasy

Antonyms: blunt, gruff