Vocabulary Strategies for SAT Success

Mike Satel, founder of Satel Tutoring, presents strategies for tackling vocabulary questions on the digital SAT. He emphasizes the use of 'dumb summaries' to simplify complex passages and identify key connotations. Through various examples, he demonstrates how to analyze vocabulary questions by focusing on repetition, contrast, and context. The video concludes with tips for improving vocabulary skills and understanding the structure of passages.

What is the main strategy discussed in the introduction for tackling vocabulary questions?

• Ignoring complex words

• Focusing only on positive words

• Using 'dumb summaries' to simplify information

• Memorizing dictionary definitions

In the context of vocabulary questions, what does the word 'this' often indicate?

• An unrelated detail

• A negative connotation

• Repetition of an idea

• A change in topic

Which word best describes a mixture or blending of things, as discussed in the example with Ludovico Vivanti's sculptures?

• Triumph

• Denunciation

• Skepticism

• Fusion

What is a key factor in determining the correct vocabulary word in a passage?

• The author's background

• The number of difficult words

• The structure and repetition within the passage

• The length of the passage

What does the word 'subverted' mean in the context of challenging a consensus?

• To promote

• To conceal

• To undermine

• To support

How can contrast in a passage help determine the correct vocabulary word?

• By listing synonyms

• By showing a shift from positive to negative or vice versa

• By providing a summary

• By highlighting the main idea

In the example involving the enzyme H12, what does the word 'dismantle' contrast with?

• Safeguard

• Identify

• Insulate

• Preserve

What is the effect of a double negative in a sentence structure?

• It highlights a key detail

• It creates confusion

• It emphasizes a positive connotation

• It negates the entire sentence

What is a recommended method for improving vocabulary according to the video?

• Ignoring difficult words

• Watching vocabulary videos

• Using flashcards and keeping a vocabulary notebook

• Reading only SAT prep books

Why is it important to focus on both vocabulary and passage structure in SAT questions?

• To impress the examiner

• To avoid reading the passage

• To understand the context and choose the correct word

• To memorize all possible words