Can You Get More Than Half Right on This Tricky SAT Vocab Test?

By: Ryan Choate
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Get More Than Half Right on This Tricky SAT Vocab Test?
Image: Colormos/Digital Vision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Most colleges in the U.S. require a score from the SAT as part of their application requirements. High school students take this multiple choice pencil and paper test during their junior and senior year to prep for college application season. The main purpose of the SAT is to measure students' readiness for college. Colleges then use this as a benchmark or data point to decide which students to offer entrance to. The SAT only makes up one component of college applications along with grade point average, essays, leadership and letters of recommendation from teachers.

The test itself has changed over the years in how it is scored, but the assessment itself is relatively the same. There are different sections on the SAT that measure a student's ability in math and evidence-based reading and writing. The test is broken into sections that altogether take about 3 hours to complete. The math section is a comprehensive examination of knowledge in algebra, geometry and a little bit of trigonometry. The reading, writing and language comprise the other part with sections on synonyms, spelling, comprehension and editing skills. 

You won't need a #2 pencil for this test, but you will need to tap into your mental thesaurus, so take this quiz and see if you can get more than half right on some tricky SAT vocabulary questions!

Which word means the same as tote?
Carry
Tote can be short for tote bag or it can also mean to carry something. It sometimes refers to carrying something heavy or substantial.
Tremble
Abandon
Acquire

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Below we have four words. Which of the following would be the opposite definition for the word detest?
Admire
The definition of detest is to dislike something intensely. Of the four words listed, the word admire is closest to the opposite meaning.
Prohibit
Hate
Examine

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Pick another word that means the same as negligible.
Insignificant
The word negligible means small or unimportant as to be not worth considering. Additional meanings can be of no account, of no consequence, of no importance, not worth bothering about.
Delicate
Illegal
Meaningful

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Analogies are comparisons between two things. Which of the words in the answer column would complete the sequence of scarcely : mostly :: quietly : _________.
Loudly
If we look at the sequence in the question, the example of scarcely and mostly are opposite analogies. Of the given choices, the opposite of quietly would be loudly.
Secretly
Rudely
Silently

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Of the following words, which one is the opposite of vulnerable?
Secure
The meaning vulnerable is susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm. The opposite or antonym of that would best be described as secure.
Feeble
Frantic
Complicated

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Which sentence below contains a word that is misspelled?
This story has received too much publisity.
The word that is misspelled is publicity. The sentence is tricky in that we take a second look at the word received to see if that is the misspelling. Publicity has a definition of notice or attention given to someone or something by the media.
The parachute opened properly.
The color scheme in the living room was monochromatic.
Did you see the lightning?

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Attribute is most closely associated with which of the following words?
Quality
For the verb use definition of attribute, the meaning is to regard something as being caused by (someone or something). For the noun use, it is a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.
Penalty
Speech
Admission

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Which word in the answers below is spelled correctly for the example sentence? The opening night performance was so ________ that the cast was given many extra curtain calls.
Terrific
The spelling is tricky on this one but the correct spelling is terrific. The definition for terrific is of great size, amount, or intensity.
Teriffic
Terriffic
Terific

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Please take a look at the following words. Which is the best answer for the word that does not belong with the others?
Recklessly
If you take a look at the definition for recklessly, you'll find it means without regard to the danger or the consequences of one's actions; rashly. This certainly doesn't mesh with the other words on this list.
Warily
Prudently
Carefully

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Which sentence below contains a word that is misspelled?
There is a five-year warranty on this appliance.
Measure both the length and the width of the table
How many wittnesses do we have?
The word that is misspelled is witnesses, the plural of the word witness. We see that in the example an extra T has been added which does not belong.
A bad decision could have been detrimental to her health.

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Analogies are comparisons between two things. Which of the words in the answer column would complete the sequence of divulge : conceal :: conform : ________ ?
Differ
Here we have two words in divulge and conceal which have the opposite meanings. We can look at the list of answers and determine that the opposite of conform is differ.
Construe
Retain
Offer

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Subjective is most dissimilar to which of the following words?
Unbiased
The basic definition of subjective is based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes or opinions. Another way of saying this is to be biased by something. The most dissimilar would be unbiased.
Invective
Objectionable
Obedient

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Look at the following words. Which word does not belong with the others?
Tentative
Tentative is a word that means not certain or fixed. This does not align with the other words that are all regarding something certain.
Confirmed
Conclusive
Definitive

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Of the following words, which one is closest to the same definition as the word proximity?
Nearness
If we look at the definition of proximity we see it means nearness in space, time or relationship. A word with a similar definition would be proximity.
Agreement
Distance
Intelligent

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Which of the following words can have a similar meaning to the word vigilant?
Watchful
The definition of the word vigilant means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. Watchful would be another word or synonym for vigilant.
Nonchalant
Strenuous
Righteous

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Look at the following sentence example. Dog-sitting for Buddy is easy; he is a ________ and obedient pet. Which of the following words best fills in the blank?
Delectable
Docile
If we look at our example question, we are seeking a word that is similar to the word obedient. We know that an obedient pet is one that is submissive and willing to comply. The word that is most similar to this definition is docile.
Trite
Meddlesome

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Which of the following words would be the opposite definition of belittle?
Compliment
The definition of the word belittle is make (someone or something) seem unimportant. If we look at a word with an opposite definition, it would be closest related to compliment.
Arrange
Criticize
Presume

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Which word is the opposite of brittle?
Flexible
The definition of brittle is hard but liable to break or shatter easily. Another meaning can also be (of a person or behavior) appearing aggressive or hard but unstable or nervous within. The word closest to the opposite definition would be flexible.
Breakable
Grating
Thin

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Please take a look at the following words. Which is the best answer for the word that does not belong with the others?
Provoke
The word provoke means stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone. This word does not fit with subdue, suppress or crush.
Subdue
Suppress
Crush

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Of the following four words, which has the opposite meaning of the word tarnish?
Shine
For the definition of tarnish, we have to lose or cause to lose luster, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture. Of the four words above, the closest word with the opposite definition to it would be shine.
Absorb
Endure
Sully

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Please take a look at the following words. Which is the best answer for the word that does not belong with the others?
Compliment
The definition of the word compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration. It can also mean an act or circumstance that implies praise or respect. This word would be the opposite of ridicule, deride and gibe.
Ridicule
Deride
Gibe

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Analogies are comparisons between two things. Which of the words in the answer column would complete the sequence of control : dominate :: magnify : ________ ?
Enlarge
For this sequence, we find that the word control is similar to the word dominate. Of the following words in the answer column, enlarge would be most similar to magnify.
Preserve
Decrease
Divide

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Please take a look at the following words. Which is the best answer for the word that does not belong with the others?
Affluent
Let's take a look at the definition for the word affluent. It means having a great deal of money; wealthy. This word does not go with the other three which have meanings regarding being poor and the opposite of wealthy.
Destitute
Poverty-stricken
Impoverished

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Which word in the answers below is spelled correctly for the example sentence? The sounding alarm signaled a ________ in%0Dsecurity.
Briech
Breche
Breach
The correct spelling of the word is breach. Breach means an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement or code of conduct.
Broach

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Look at the following sentence example. Being a direct relative of the deceased, her claim to the estate was ________. Which word best finishes the sentence?
Legitimate
If we look at the definition of legitimate, we find conforming to the law or to rule and able to be defended with logic or justification. Legitimate is the best fit in the blank to complete the sentence.
Optional
Vicious
Prominent

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Look at the following sentence example. When you discuss the characters from "The Catcher in the Rye," please be sure to give a%0D________ description of the narrator. Which of the following words best fills in the blank?
Comprehensive
By looking at our example sentence, we can guess that the question is seeking a detailed and thorough description of the book. If we look at the definition of comprehensive we find complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. This would best fill in the blank in our example.
Determined
Massive
Principled

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Look at the following sentence example. The teacher put the crayons on the bottom shelf to make them ________ to the young children. Which word best fits in the blank?
Receptive
Eloquent
Accessible
We can assume by the question that the teacher wants the children to be able to use the crayons. The definition of the word accessible means (of a place) able to be reached or entered. This would best fit in the blank for our example sentence.
Ambiguous

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Analogies are comparisons between two things. Which of the words in the answer column would complete the sequence of regard : esteem :: ambivalence : ________ ?
Uncertainty
In our example sequence in the question, we have the words regard and esteem. These two words are similar in their meanings. If we look at the word ambivalence, a similar word would be uncertainty.
Withdrawal
Resemblance
Injustice

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Which word in the answers below is spelled correctly for the example sentence? The caverns were so damp that my skin felt%0D________.
Clamby
Clamy
Clammy
The correct spelling of the word is clammy. It means unpleasantly damp and sticky or slimy to touch.
Clammby

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Analogies are comparisons between two things. Which of the words in the answer column would complete the sequence of simple : complex :: trivial : ________ ?
Significant
In our example listed in the question, we have the words simple and complex which are opposites of each other. So in the list included in the answer section the word significant would be the opposite of trivial.
inconspicuous
Permanent
Irrelevant

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Please take a look at the following words. Which is the best answer for the word that does not belong with the others?
Intolerant
Let's take a look at the definition of the word intolerant. It means not tolerant of views, beliefs or behavior that differ from one's own. This would be the opposite meaning of compassionate, amenable and receptive.
Receptive
Compassionate
Amenable

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If we look at the word grueling, what would be a word that is the opposite in meaning?
Effortless
If we look at the word grueling, which means extremely tiring and demanding, the opposite of that would be most closely related to the definition of effortless.
Casual
Eshausting
Empty

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Take a look at the following words. Which word means the same as distinct?
Separate
If we look at the definition of distinct, it means recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type. Another word that is a synonym for distinct is separate.
Satisfied
Imprecise
Uneasy

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Which word in the answers below is spelled correctly for the example sentence? After the tornado, ________ was scattered%0Deverywhere.
Debrie
Debris
The correct spelling is debris. This is a word of French origin and contains a silent "s" sound. The definition of the word debris is scattered pieces of waste or remains.
Dibrie
Debree

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Which sentence below contains a word that is misspelled?
Unfortunatly, we do not have this sweater in another color.
The misspelled word is unfortunately. It is missing the letter E before the LY. The definition of unfortunately is suffering from bad luck.
He is undecided about which job to accept.
The festival is held at a different time every year.
The welfare of the community depends on this decision.

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