SAT Power Words Set 1 Application

I cannot distinguish any defined shapes within the artist’s abstract painting.

As used in this sentence, abstract most nearly means:

• academic

• abstruse

• argumentative

• simple

Helen’s living room is so crowded that no one can appreciate the aesthetic beauty of her designer furniture.

As used in this sentence, aesthetic most nearly means:

• comely

• disagreeable

• offensive

• shocking

To alleviate hunger in our town, each employee of our company donated five cans of food.

As used in this sentence, alleviate most nearly means:

• increase

• magnify

• intensify

• relieve

Even though Thomas has proposed to his boyfriend, he is ambivalent about going through with the ceremony.

As used in this sentence, ambivalent most nearly means:

• hesitant

• opposed

• determined

• suspicious

The employee’s apathetic attitude was apparent in the rude way he greeted customers.

As used in this sentence, apathetic most nearly means:

• wimpy

• responsive

• indifferent

• sympathetic

After his boss praised him for his work on the big project, Sam felt it was an auspicious time to ask for a promotion.

As used in this sentence, auspicious most nearly means:

• upbeat

• promising

• grim

• bright

If you want to save lives without spending a dime, do the benevolent thing and donate blood.

As used in this sentence, benevolent most nearly means:

• generous

• profitable

• bold

• beneficial

Because the realtor was an honest woman, she replied with candor about the damage to the house.

As used in this sentence, candor most nearly means:

• deceit

• frankness

• confusion

• duty

Although I normally do not like science fiction movies, this film was cogent and easy for me to accept as true.

As used in this sentence, cogent most nearly means:

• powerful

• compelling

• conclusive

• urgent

The takeout menu contains only the restaurant’s most popular items and is not a comprehensive list of the eatery’s food choices.

As used in this sentence, comprehensive most nearly means:

• infinite

• widespread

• selective

• complete