SAT Words in Context

The athlete’s indomitable spirit was evident in her refusal to give up, even when faced with overwhelming odds. As used in the passage, "indomitable" most nearly means:

• undefeated

• strong

• stubborn

• unconquerable

The novelty of the situation intrigued him, sparking a curiosity he hadn’t felt in years.

As used in the passage, "novelty" most nearly means:

• A) excitement

• B) newness

• C) rarity

• D) amusement

The historian’s account of the event was scrupulous, ensuring every detail was accurate and well-documented. As used in the passage, "scrupulous" most nearly means:

• meticulous

• cautious

• reliable

• honest

For all of modern history, a small, carnivorous South American mammal in the raccoon family has evaded the scientific community. Untold thousands of these red, furry creatures scampered through the trees of the Andean cloud forests, but they did so at night, hidden by dense fog. Nearly two dozen preserved samples - mostly skulls or furs—were mislabeled in museum collections across the United States. There’s even evidence that one individual lived in several American zoos during the 1960s—its keepers were mystified as to why it refused to breed with its peers. As highlighted, the word “evaded” most nearly means:

• devalued

• eluded

• confirmed

• exploited

In a classroom full of talkative students, Rachel's silence was __________ noticeable. The teacher encouraged her to participate more openly, but Rachel seemed content to let the other students answer questions.

• exceptionally

• poorly

• disgustingly

• unpleasantly

Despite her more humble background compared with that of most of her family, Fanny was never teased for her _______ dress or mocked for her simple vocabulary.

• easy

• straightforward

• sincere

• plain

Channeling her favorite fictional detectives, Valery examined the evidence before her. "The cat must have broken the vase," she said. "It's only logical conclusion.

Conclusion most likely means?

• End

• Inference

• Choice

• Summary

During the heated debate, Marissa's argument was __________ compelling, swaying many undecided members to her side. Her use of facts and persuasive techniques was particularly effective.

• hardly

• marginally

• overwhelmingly

• occasionally

Despite the project's tight deadline, the team's progress was __________; they completed tasks ahead of schedule, allowing extra time for review and refinement.

• sluggish

• unpredictable

• steady

• exceptional

As the mystery novel progressed, the plot became __________ intricate, with new twists and turns that left readers eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

• increasingly

• simpler

• predictably

• less