SAT: Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone, List 2

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 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!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. 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. Reuters (Sep 3, 2015)
  2. 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. US News (Sep 8, 2015)
  3. amusing
    To most other people, I was Sal, and to a few boys who thought they were especially amusing, I was Salamander. Walk Two Moons
  4. 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. New York Times (Aug 13, 2015)
  5. affectionate
    having or displaying warmth or fondness
    Although “very loveable and affectionate,” John was stubborn and had a temper. The Woman All Spies Fear
  6. 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. Washington Times (Sep 6, 2015)
  7. mocking
    expressing contempt or ridicule
    Others found ways of mocking it, calling it - not so politely - a waste of time. Washington Times (Mar 30, 2015)
  8. resigned
    accepting that something unpleasant cannot be changed
    Dad tossed the note back on the table and seemed resigned. Red Kayak
  9. 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. The Guardian (Aug 7, 2015)
  10. caustic
    harsh or corrosive in tone
    Saint-Saëns was on speaking terms with practically all of them, even if his prickly temperament and caustic wit tended to discourage close friendships. New York Times (Jul 20, 2012)
  11. elegiac
    resembling or characteristic of a lament for the dead
    It’s an elegiac message of farewell—whether to a romantic partner who is leaving or do life itself is subject to the listener’s interpretation. Los Angeles Times (Jun 29, 2015)
  12. 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. Forbes (Jul 17, 2015)
  13. traditional
    consisting of or derived from a practice of long standing
    Classicists insist the only syrup to use is Fox’s U-bet, chocolate being the most traditional flavor, though vanilla and strawberry are certainly not unheard of. Wall Street Journal (Sep 3, 2015)
Created on Wed Jun 04 12:27:45 EDT 2025 (updated Fri Jul 11 11:10:09 EDT 2025)

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