The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone - List #1

Jonathan B. (United States of America)
On the New SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a US founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 25 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean!Following our Roadmap to the new SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. optimistic
    hopeful that the best will happen in the future
    Physicists are optimistic the mystery will be sorted out soon with more data.
  2. pessimistic
    expecting the worst possible outcome
    “But lawyers are trained to always look for the worst-case scenario. They benefit more from being pessimistic, and that takes a toll.”
  3. neutral
    having no personal preference
    If I have strong views, I’m probably not going to be a good editor: it’s hard for me to write in a neutral way.”
  4. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
    Their different responses to the unfolding economic drama underscore the strong ambivalence Americans feel about the Greek crisis.
  5. frank
    characterized by directness in manner or speech
    She suggests that its appeal lies in its frank treatment of topics usually left undiscussed.
  6. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    I seethed with envy, indignant that they enjoyed the honest freedom I had denied myself.
  7. empathetic
    showing ready comprehension of others' states
    “I can feel your pain without going through it myself,” says the empathetic person.
  8. appreciation
    understanding of the nature or meaning of something
    It takes only one class of art history to learn the basic tools of art interpretation and appreciation.
  9. critical
    of a serious examination and judgment of something
    Yet someone who’s tired or distracted will likely be less critical, and will simply accept what you say as true.
  10. scornful
    expressing extreme contempt
    A deep, scornful hatred, like black syrup pumping thick through my heart.
  11. disdain
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    But that didn't stop the haters, who seized the new forum to rally their disdain.
  12. provocative
    serving or tending to excite or stimulate
    She’s not afraid to push buttons and be the provocative journalist she should be.”
  13. hostile
    characterized by enmity or ill will
    There are four months left for the neighbors to patch things up, but for now the mood is hostile.
  14. advocate
    a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
    New resources, of course, have long been on the wish list of public education advocates.
  15. sympathetic
    expressing compassion or friendly fellow feelings
    Government officials and others have called for compassion and tolerance, and the overwhelming reaction to the migrants has been sympathetic.
  16. reverent
    feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
    And while typically you speak in a reverent voice in respect for the dead, tonight, feel free to speak up and ask questions.
  17. mocking
    expressing contempt or ridicule
    Others found ways of mocking it, calling it - not so politely - a waste of time.
  18. resignation
    the act of giving up, as a claim or office or possession
    They are so overwhelmed by juggling demands that many have moved from frustration and anxiety to resignation and despair, which is worse.
  19. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    In the case of Guzmán, many Mexicans are particularly incredulous as this was his second escape from a supposedly high-security prison.
  20. vehement
    marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
    Folks tend to be either hardcore cloud “fans” or vehement cloud “detractors”, and often there is not much middle ground between them.
Created on Sun Aug 18 17:46:58 EDT 2019

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