SAT: The Language of the Test: Language of the Test, List 6

On the SAT Reading Test, you will often need to try to figure out an author's purpose. Those types of questions will have answer options beginning with verbs with either positive or negative connotations. To criticize is to be critical, to pick something apart and to identify its weak points. This is definitely a verb with a negative connotation. If an author is out to criticize, chances are he or she is using harsh language.

Don't confuse the words critique and criticize on the SAT. If a writer critiques something, he or she reviews it. Unlike criticize, which has a negative connotation, critique is neutral. You could critique a movie and only point out its wonderful qualities. Or, you could critique something and point out its negative features.

To demonstrate is to show. On the SAT, you will probably run across this word as an answer option for a question on purpose. The purpose of a passage could be to demonstrate a concept or a character trait, for example. Another word that is used in a similar way is illustrate.

When you see the word illustrate on the SAT Reading Test, don't think about fine art; think about how a writer "paints a picture" with words instead. An example could illustrate an abstract concept. A narrator could illustrate a setting. A passage could illustrate a phenomenon. Got the idea? Illustrate in this sense is used almost like convey.

When you confirm something, you prove it to be true. This word could be used on the SAT in reference to a science passage, where results confirm a hypothesis. You can remember this word by remembering how you have to confirm a doctor's appointment by saying, "Yes, I'll be there." Confirming has to do with establishing or validating.

Someone's motivation is their reason for doing something. On the SAT, a reading comprehension question could ask you about the purpose of a particular paragraph or passage and one possible answer choice may begin "To reveal the motivations of..." Motivation is one of those words that comes up a lot when discussing fictional characters or people in general.

Just like motivation, motive is used when discussing a person's or character's reason for doing something. When you answer an SAT question on motive, you should be prepared to identify evidence to support your assumption.

A percent is a part of something in relation to its whole. It can be translated into a fraction. 50 percent of a pizza represents one half of that pizza. Yes, expect some math to sneak into the SAT Reading Section! There will be graphic figures depicting data, and you will be asked to interpret such data. Often the data will be conveyed in percentages so you may be asked questions that begin like, "Based on data in the table, what percent of..."

Just like percent, percentage refers to a part of something in relation to its whole and is expressed in a number. Whereas percent is usually used right after a number (like "10 percent"), percentage is used in prose like, "The table shows the percentage of each class that is preparing to take the SAT."

Dictate has many meanings, but the meaning you would most likely encounter on the SAT has to do with causation. For example, a character's actions may be dictated by his circumstances. The government may dictate policy, or a certain tradition may dictate wearing black while mourning. Dictate in this sense tends to mean "setting the standards or rules for."

Just like it sounds, to clarify means to "make clear." You will often see this word at the beginning of answer options on the Reading Test. For example, you may be asked to infer the purpose of a statement from a passage, and one of the answer options could begin, "To clarify..." Language that is used to clarify is usually easy to understand and explanatory in tone.

You are sure to see the word conclusion on the SAT Reading Test, but beware: this word has multiple meanings. If you see it in its plural form, conclusions, it usually indicates the logical conclusions drawn in an argument. However, if the test refers to an argument's one and only conclusion, that would probably be referring to the final paragraph of the passage.