SAT: Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone, List 14

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 ones you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean!
12 words 102 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    What we can do is hopefully have a detached perspective, without being pompous and haughty. BBC (May 29, 2013)
  2. negligent
    characterized by undue lack of attention or concern
    "Leaving a child unattended in a car or a house is negligent conduct," Judge Mary Catherine Cuff wrote. US News (Aug 20, 2015)
  3. pedantic
    marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
    They speak in an over-precise way with much pedantic insistence on letters not generally sounded, especially Hs. The Guardian (Jul 17, 2013)
  4. poignant
    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
    But a series of poignant, heart-wrenching tweets from Parker’s boyfriend laid bare the tragic human consequences of the horrific episode. Salon (Aug 26, 2015)
  5. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
    One step at a time, in solemn synchrony, the casket team carried the coffin up the grassy hill on Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery. Washington Post (Aug 25, 2015)
  6. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    OpenDaylight’s success comes as a shock to those of us that were initially skeptical of its legitimacy and relevance. Forbes (Aug 2, 2015)
  7. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    At age 40, most men can take a wistful look back and think of a few things they wish they had done in their youth. Washington Times (Aug 7, 2015)
  8. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
    He said his state was prepared for future hurricanes: “Our levies are stronger than they’ve ever been before, but we must not become complacent.” New York Times (Aug 30, 2015)
  9. acerbic
    sour or bitter in taste
    For the uninitiated, Hopkins rose to fame as a villainous contestant on The Apprentice UK, where she drew attention for her acerbic, insulting comments. Time (Mar 5, 2015)
  10. apathetic
    showing little or no emotion or animation
    No, it's just something to encourage people to step out and stand up for themselves and not be apathetic. BBC (Aug 5, 2015)
  11. bombastic
    ostentatiously lofty in style
    It’s also not quite so over-the-top and bombastic as Ghosts, though it’s a far cry from what anyone might describe as realistic. Forbes (Nov 3, 2014)
  12. conducive
    tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
    When they had Wally, the Ellensons decided the driving, long hours, low pay and nomadic lifestyle of coaching were not conducive to raising a family. New York Times (Nov 24, 2015)
Created on Mon Jun 09 14:24:23 EDT 2025

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