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
Tremble
Abandon
Acquire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tote can be short for tote bag or it can also mean to carry something. It sometimes refers to carrying something heavy or substantial.

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Below we have four words. Which of the following would be the opposite definition for the word detest?
Admire
Prohibit
Hate
Examine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The definition of detest is to dislike something intensely. Of the four words listed, the word admire is closest to the opposite meaning.

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Pick another word that means the same as negligible.
Insignificant
Delicate
Illegal
Meaningful
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Secretly
Rudely
Silently
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Of the following words, which one is the opposite of vulnerable?
Secure
Feeble
Frantic
Complicated
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The meaning vulnerable is susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm. The opposite or antonym of that would best be described as secure.

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Which sentence below contains a word that is misspelled?
This story has received too much publisity.
The parachute opened properly.
The color scheme in the living room was monochromatic.
Did you see the lightning?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Attribute is most closely associated with which of the following words?
Quality
Penalty
Speech
Admission
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Teriffic
Terriffic
Terific
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spelling is tricky on this one but the correct spelling is terrific. The definition for terrific is of great size, amount, or intensity.

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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
Warily
Prudently
Carefully
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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?
A bad decision could have been detrimental to her health.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Construe
Retain
Offer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Subjective is most dissimilar to which of the following words?
Unbiased
Invective
Objectionable
Obedient
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Look at the following words. Which word does not belong with the others?
Tentative
Confirmed
Conclusive
Definitive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tentative is a word that means not certain or fixed. This does not align with the other words that are all regarding something certain.

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Of the following words, which one is closest to the same definition as the word proximity?
Nearness
Agreement
Distance
Intelligent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Which of the following words can have a similar meaning to the word vigilant?
Watchful
Nonchalant
Strenuous
Righteous
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The definition of the word vigilant means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. Watchful would be another word or synonym for vigilant.

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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
Trite
Meddlesome
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Which of the following words would be the opposite definition of belittle?
Compliment
Arrange
Criticize
Presume
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Which word is the opposite of brittle?
Flexible
Breakable
Grating
Thin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Subdue
Suppress
Crush
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Of the following four words, which has the opposite meaning of the word tarnish?
Shine
Absorb
Endure
Sully
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Ridicule
Deride
Gibe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Preserve
Decrease
Divide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Destitute
Poverty-stricken
Impoverished
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Broach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Optional
Vicious
Prominent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Determined
Massive
Principled
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Ambiguous
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Withdrawal
Resemblance
Injustice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Clammby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The correct spelling of the word is clammy. It means unpleasantly damp and sticky or slimy to touch.

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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
inconspicuous
Permanent
Irrelevant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Receptive
Compassionate
Amenable
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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If we look at the word grueling, what would be a word that is the opposite in meaning?
Effortless
Casual
Eshausting
Empty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Take a look at the following words. Which word means the same as distinct?
Separate
Satisfied
Imprecise
Uneasy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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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
Dibrie
Debree
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Which sentence below contains a word that is misspelled?
Unfortunatly, we do not have this sweater in another color.
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.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The misspelled word is unfortunately. It is missing the letter E before the LY. The definition of unfortunately is suffering from bad luck.

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