SAT: Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone, List 15

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!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. didactic
    instructive, especially excessively
    The Newsroom is a didactic show, by which I mean, when it presents an argument, it hints pretty clearly which side it believes is right. Time (Dec 7, 2014)
  2. disgruntled
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released thousands of complaints Thursday from disgruntled customers of banks, credit card companies and other providers of financial services. Los Angeles Times (Jun 25, 2015)
  3. effusive
    uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
    It’s being called both a “comedy smash” and “really funny,” among other effusive compliments. Salon (Jul 20, 2015)
  4. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
    "We have a very facetious Liverpool sense of humour, laughing at things which are stupid," says Wells. The Guardian (Jul 21, 2012)
  5. gregarious
    temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
    Aren’t entrepreneurs supposed to be gregarious and commanding—verbally adept and able to inspire employees, clients and investors with the sheer force of their personality? Wall Street Journal (Aug 24, 2015)
  6. laudatory
    full of or giving praise
    And yes, as we've read in laudatory profiles and seen in TV spots, the rookie is smart, studious, humble, and looks fantastic in denim. Slate (Oct 16, 2012)
  7. mercurial
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
    But though his aesthetic has been mercurial, his theme has arguably stayed the same. New York Times (Feb 4, 2015)
  8. quizzical
    perplexed
    Perhaps it is because patients fear the quizzical look and follow-up question: “You’re eating what?” Washington Post (May 14, 2012)
  9. incisive
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    But anyone who relishes elegant and incisive writing and speech will be glad that Vidal was fated to explain, rather than practise, politics. The Guardian (Aug 1, 2012)
  10. zealous
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
    A zealous prosecutor, Elizabeth Scheibel, went on a crusade, bringing criminal charges against six teenagers that held them directly responsible for causing...death. Slate (Apr 10, 2014)
  11. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Mr. Elwes said it has attained such a large and fervent following thanks largely to pre-Internet word-of-mouth raves and home video rentals. Washington Times (Jun 21, 2015)
  12. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
    But that was no moment for futile recrimination, and self-interest served to stay the acrid retort on the tip of his tongue. Hudson Douglas
Created on Mon Jun 09 14:26:13 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Jun 11 17:01:02 EDT 2025)

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