SATs Vocabulary 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The word AMBIVALENT most nearly means:
- strongly opposed
- having mixed feelings (Correct answer)
- completely certain
- overly enthusiastic
Correct answer: having mixed feelings
Ambivalent describes having contradictory or conflicting feelings about something or someone.
Question 2: Which word best completes the sentence: 'The scientist's ___ approach led her to question every assumption before drawing conclusions.'
- impulsive
- credulous
- empirical (Correct answer)
- dogmatic
Correct answer: empirical
Empirical means based on observation and evidence rather than theory, fitting a careful scientist's method.
Question 3: The word DISPARATE most nearly means:
- similar in kind
- fundamentally different (Correct answer)
- slightly unequal
- carefully arranged
Correct answer: fundamentally different
Disparate means essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
Question 4: A VERBOSE speaker is one who:
- speaks quietly and clearly
- uses more words than necessary (Correct answer)
- refuses to answer questions
- changes topics frequently
Correct answer: uses more words than necessary
Verbose means using or expressed in more words than are needed.
Question 5: The word PLACID most nearly means:
- chaotic
- enthusiastic
- calm and peaceful (Correct answer)
- easily angered
Correct answer: calm and peaceful
Placid describes a person or situation that is not easily upset and is free from disturbance.
Question 6: Which sentence uses the word TENACIOUS correctly?
- He was tenacious about giving up quickly.
- Her tenacious grip on the rope saved her life. (Correct answer)
- The tenacious plan fell apart immediately.
- They felt tenacious after losing the game.
Correct answer: Her tenacious grip on the rope saved her life.
Tenacious means holding firmly to something; not letting go, making 'tenacious grip' the correct usage.
Question 7: The word OPAQUE most nearly means:
- transparent and clear
- not able to be seen through (Correct answer)
- shiny and reflective
- delicate and thin
Correct answer: not able to be seen through
Opaque means not able to be seen through; not transparent — used literally or figuratively for hard-to-understand things.
SATs Vocabulary 2
The word AMBIVALENT most nearly means: