PowerScore SAT 50 Hard Repeat Offenders | Day 11

Definition: abstruse (adj)

• easy to grasp
• difficult to understand
• commonly known
• simple and straightforward

Answer explanation

Example: Mr. Abbott tried to teach us how to solve an abstruse math problem, but it was too complicated for us to understand.

Word Forms: abstrusely, abstruseness, abstrusity

Definition: adulation (n)

• Excessive admiration or praise.
• Moderate criticism or disapproval.
• Indifference or lack of interest.
• A formal agreement or contract.

Answer explanation

Example: Adele’s adulation of the television star began to worry her parents when she started sending him letters every day.

Word Forms: adulate, adulatory, adulator

Definition: alacrity (n)

• cheerful readiness or eagerness to act
• unwillingness to participate
• indifference towards tasks
• reluctance to act

Answer explanation

Example: Alaina impressed her new boss by accepting the task with alacrity; she was both eager and excited to get started.

Word Form: alacritous

Definition: ameliorate (vb)

• to worsen or degrade
• to maintain the same level
• to ignore or neglect
• to make better or improve

Answer explanation

Example: Amelia was an outstanding caregiver; she could ameliorate a patient’s discomfort just by smiling kindly.

Word Forms: ameliorable, ameliorableness, ameliorant, ameliorative, amelioratory, ameliorator

Definition: anachronistic (adj)

• in the correct time period
• historically accurate
• timeless and universal
• out of its proper time period

Answer explanation

Example: Today’s announcement about the impending demolition of the baseball stadium is anachronistic; the stadium was razed early last week.

Word Forms: anachronistically, anachrony, anachronic, anachronism, anachronous, anachronously

Related Word: chronological, chronology

Definition: arboreal (adj)

• related to aquatic environments
• pertaining to mountains
• relating to trees or living in trees
• involving desert ecosystems

Answer explanation

Example: The emerald tree boa is an arboreal snake; it spends all of its life in the trees of the Amazon rainforest.

Word Forms: arboreally, arboreous

Related Word: arbor

Definition: assiduous (adj)

• Inconsistent and unreliable.
• Diligent and hardworking.
• Careless and unmotivated.
• Lazy and indifferent.

Answer explanation

Example: Ashley is an assiduous researcher; she was able to find articles on the poet that even the librarian could not locate.

Word Forms: assiduously, assiduousness, assiduity

Definition: auspicious (adj)

• favorable or conducive to success
• likely to result in failure
• neutral or indifferent to outcomes
• unfavorable or detrimental to success

Answer explanation

Example: Austin waited for an auspicious time to ask his father to borrow the car; he finally had his chance on the day that his dad received a sizable raise at work.

Word Forms: auspiciously, auspiciousness

Definition: austere (adj)

• severe or strict in manner; plain or simple in appearance
• complex and ornate in design
• friendly and approachable in demeanor
• luxurious and extravagant in style

Answer explanation

Example: Mr. Aston is the most austere teacher at school; he does not tolerate any talking nor does he accept late assignments.

Word Forms: austerely, austereness, austerity

Definition: avarice (n)

• extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

• thư pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

• a deep sense of contentment and satisfaction.

• a form of generosity towards others.

Answer explanation

Example: Avery amassed million-dollar homes, luxury cars, and exquisite jewelry to satisfy her avarice, but still wanted more.

Word Forms: avaricious, avariciously, avariciousness