Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone - Week 3

On the 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 U.S. 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 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. negative
    characterized by denial or opposition or resistance
    Often disruptive behaviors involve major negative interactions, like screaming at a nurse or harshly insulting a colleague. Time (Aug 21, 2015)
  2. positive
    characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance
    Moviegoers had an overwhelmingly positive response toward the film, giving it an average A grade, according to audience polling firm CinemaScore. Los Angeles Times (Aug 30, 2015)
  3. sanguine
    confidently optimistic and cheerful
    As the sanguine reaction from investors indicates, amid the gloom there may be some reason to be optimistic. BusinessWeek (May 2, 2014)
  4. grave
    causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
    In an open letter, the coalition says Twitter's ban "holds grave consequences for free expression and transparency around the world." The Verge (Sep 4, 2015)
  5. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    The commemoration of this event provides a somber occasion to take stock of losses. National Geographic (Aug 7, 2015)
  6. serious
    of great consequence
    But there is one area students can accidentally get into some serious trouble: their finances. US News (Sep 9, 2015)
  7. placid
    not easily irritated
    She clasped her hands in her lap and her face was placid, the worries from a few moments ago having transformed to a deep calm. New York Times (Jul 9, 2015)
  8. severe
    very harsh or strict, especially when dealing with others
    Before sentencing Holmes, Samour tried to reassure victims who were upset at the lack of a death penalty that Holmes' punishment would still be severe. US News (Aug 27, 2015)
  9. imposing
    befitting an important, distinguished, or powerful person
    Porter is imposing enough physically — he is stocky and more than 6-foot tall — but he can be soft-spoken. Washington Post (Sep 3, 2015)
  10. outspoken
    given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
    Still, it's the outspoken, go-for-broke honesty that has helped him with audiences. Los Angeles Times (Aug 29, 2015)
  11. scandalous
    giving offense to moral sensibilities
    The spy agency had a scandalous reputation in the years before South Korea embraced democracy in the 1980s, and was involved in abductions and killings. BBC (Jul 19, 2015)
  12. sinister
    wicked, evil, or dishonorable
    More sinister are the nameless, faceless critics lurking on social media and comments sections, giving voice to a society’s most hateful impulses. The Guardian (Jul 12, 2015)
  13. methodical
    characterized by orderliness
    But the decision we came around to was that it was editorially important to show how methodical, planned and deliberate this was. Washington Times (Aug 27, 2015)
  14. momentous
    of very great significance
    The Supreme Court is on the verge of a momentous decision that could legalize gay marriage across the country. US News (Jun 23, 2015)
  15. heroic
    having qualities appropriate for brave figures
    He said it was heroic of the officer to put himself in danger to protect the children, who were unhurt. Washington Times (Aug 27, 2015)
  16. audacious
    disposed to venture or take risks
    A maximum security prisoner is back behind bars in Australia after staging an audacious escape. BBC (Aug 18, 2015)
  17. curious
    eager to investigate and learn or learn more
    My squid dream got me curious: Can cephalopods—a group that includes squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish—dream? National Geographic (Sep 5, 2015)
  18. bitter
    proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity
    A special session on a budget shortfall has so far been characterized by tensions and bitter divisions among legislators. Washington Times (Aug 5, 2015)
  19. insolent
    marked by casual disrespect
    “You are insolent. I suppose that is only to be expected of a wildling. We must find you a husband who can teach you courtesy.” A Dance with Dragons
  20. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    He has rarely looked so dejected, so beaten, so incapable of the rousing return for which many golfing fans long. The Guardian (Jun 18, 2015)
  21. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    Perhaps they would have pulled it off, had it not been for the smug, self-satisfied expressions on their faces as they pretended to be offended. Salon (Jun 23, 2015)
  22. cavalier
    showing a lack of concern or seriousness
    “The prime minister is cavalier in his disregard of international law and agreements when it comes to the proliferation of nuclear weapons,” she told reporters. Washington Times (Sep 3, 2014)
  23. irreverent
    showing lack of due respect or veneration
    She continues with a irreverent speech that blends slightly off-color jokes with sincere praise and gratitude. Time (Jan 26, 2015)
  24. flippant
    showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
    “Any reprimand has to be taken seriously, so I don’t want to come across as flippant about it,” he said. Washington Post
  25. vexed
    troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
    These are questions that for years have vexed the courts, which have struggled to define the difference between permissible and illegal computer use. Washington Times (Sep 9, 2015)
Created on Fri Dec 11 17:51:12 EST 2015 (updated Thu Jun 24 14:14:05 EDT 2021)

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