SAT Critical Reading & Vocabulary Challenge

Sentence: After several hours, the storm finally began to abate, allowing the rescue team to search the area.
What does "abate" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Erupt suddenly

• Decrease in intensity

• Change direction

• Gain momentum

Sentence: Despite her fame, the actress remained affable, chatting kindly with fans and posing for selfies.
What does "affable" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Arrogant

• Approachable

• Reserved

• Insincere

Sentence: The doctor prescribed medication to alleviate the patient’s pain after surgery.
What does "alleviate" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Increase

• Ignore

• Relieve

• Provoke

Sentence: The cacophony of car horns and construction made it hard to concentrate.
What does "cacophony" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Melodious tune

• Loud and jarring noise

• Peaceful silence

• Rhythmic bea

Sentence: The senator stood on the podium to decry the corruption within the agency.
What does "decry" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Celebrate

• Expose

• Condemn publicly

• Ignore

Sentence: The professor’s lecture on quantum mechanics included several esoteric concepts unfamiliar to most students.
What does "esoteric" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Outdated

• Widely known

• Mysterious and obscure

• Entertaining

Sentence: The artist’s work is known for its juxtaposition of bright colors and dark themes.
What does "juxtaposition" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Comparison through contrast

• Sudden change

• Random placement

• Blending of ideas

Sentence: Although she lost the match, she was magnanimous in congratulating her opponent.
What does "magnanimous" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Competitive

• Gracious and forgiving

• Bitter and cold

• Overly emotional

Sentence: Despite the pleas of her family, she remained obdurate in her decision to move abroad.
What does "obdurate" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Open-minded

• Stubborn and unyielding

• Indifferent

• Easily influenced

Sentence: The teacher was able to quell the rising tension in the classroom with a few calm words.
What does "quell" most nearly mean in the sentence above?

• Encourage

• Silence forcefully

• Suppress or calm

• Fuel