130 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Unit 4 Exercise Sets II and III Answer Key Exercise Set II 1. GRANDIS: great, big grandeur, grandparent, grandiose, grandiloquent 2. SUB: under, secretly subtle, subcutaneous, sublim- inal, subterfuge, subservient, subconscious 3. SUAVIS: agreeable, sweet assuage, suave, sweet 4. PACIS: peace pacifist, peace, pacify, pacific 5. SUMMUS: highest summit, consummate, sum 6. APT: fit inept, aptitude, apt, adapt 7. PUGNARE: to fight pugnacity, impugn, pugna- cious, repugnant 8. MIS: bad, wretched, hatred miserly, miserable, misan- thrope, miser, misery, misogyny 9. DEXTER: skillful dexterity, dexterous, ambidextrous 10. TRACT: to pull subtract, abstract, attract, distract, contract, traction, intractable, tractor 11. CULPA: blame exculpate, inculpate, discul- pate, culprit, culpable 12. MOLLIS: soft emollient, mollify 13. THEOS: god atheist, theology, enthusiasm, pantheist, theocracy, monotheism 14. PLACARE: to please placate, placid, placebo, complacent, complaisant, plea, please, displease 15. PED: instruct pedagogue, pedantic, pedant Exercise Set III 1. N 2. Y 3. N 4. Y 5. N 6. charlatan 7. pedantic 8. hedonist 9. agility 10. infamous 11. pilfer 12. opulence 13. vindicate 14. odious 15. exonerate or exculpate 16. steadfast 17. emollient 18. machination 19. bombastic 20. curmudgeon 21. despot 22. adroit or adept 23. dogged 24. inexorable 25. sybarite 26. recalcitrance 27. agile 28. hypocritical 29. anarchy 30. vindicate 31. malevolent 32. pertinacity 33. aptitude 34. subterfuge 35. assuage 36. intractable 37. mollify 38. nefarious 39. exculpate 40. paragon 41. miserly CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 131 Vocabulary Unit 5 Vocabulary Lesson 29: Make Me! Today’s roots: ligare to bind vocare to call ducere to lead pro- forth ❑ cajole (v) to persuade by using flattery The clever eight-year-old girl successfully cajoled her parents into taking her to Disney World. Synonyms: coax, wheedle, deceive ❑ exhort (v) to urge strongly (ex- thoroughly + hortari to urge) The doctor exhorted his patient to stop smoking by explaining how dangerous a habit it really was. Synonyms: provoke, instigate, rouse Antonyms: inhibit, discourage ❑ coerce (v) to persuade through the use of force The bully coerced the smaller boy into handing over his lunch money with threats of wedgies and deadarms. Synonyms: compel, intimidate ❑ induce (v) to cause (in- in + ducere to lead) After thirty-six hours of labor, the doctors decided to induce the baby’s birth with medication. Synonyms: sway, incite, impel Antonyms: curb, stall ❑ coax (v) to persuade by using flattery The charming man used well-placed compliments to coax the pretty waitress into meeting him for a drink. Synonyms: cajole, wheedle ❑ provoke (v) to stir up; to excite (pro- forth + vocare to call) Eric provoked his older brother into fighting by whacking him on the head with his action figure. Synonyms: irritate, rile, incite Antonyms: placate, assuage ❑ obligatory (adj) required (ob- to + ligare to bind) The obligatory jumps in the skating competition must be performed or the competitor loses points. Synonyms: mandatory, compulsory Antonyms: optional, elective ❑ wheedle (v) to influence by flattery Synonyms: coax, cajole ❑ goad (v) to urge into action Synonyms: spur, incite, catalyze ❑ begrudge (v) to give in to something reluctantly Synonyms: concede, acquiesce ❑ spur (v) to goad into action Synonyms: provoke, goad, incite ❑ prerequisite (n) a requirement (don’t confuse with perquisite: a perk) Synonym: obligation ❑ resigned (adj) accepting of one’s fate Synonyms: begrudging, acquiescent 132 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 30: Come to Your Senses! Today’s roots: audire to hear palpare to touch gustare to taste cernere to separate ❑ tactile (adj) able to be sensed by touch (tactilis to touch) The petting zoo provides a fun tactile experience for children, allowing them to touch dozens of animals. Synonym: palpable ❑ olfactory (adj) relating to the sense of smell (olere a to smell of + facere to make) For those with a strong olfactory sense, the spray of a skunk is extremely pungent. ❑ gustatory (adj) relating to the sense of taste (gustare to taste) The meal was a gustatory extravaganza; her taste buds were exploding from all the savory spices. ❑ auditory (adj) relating to the sense of hearing (audire to hear) Kris’s auditory deterioration prevented him from appreciating the subtle tonality of the music. Synonym: aural ❑ discern (v) to perceive as separate; to sense keenly (dis- away + cernere distinguish, separate) The fog made it difficult for me to discern how many people stood at the far end of the parking lot. Synonyms: perceive, distinguish, ascertain ❑ pungent (adj) having a sharp or irritating odor ( pungere to sting) Many find garlic breath to be so pungent that they avoid cooking with the herb entirely. Synonyms: piquant, zesty ❑ palpable (adj) detectable by touch (palpare to touch) As the tightrope walker attempted to regain his balance, the tension in the audience was nearly palpable. Synonyms: tangible, tactile ❑ ascertain (v) to learn for certain Synonym: discern ❑ savory (adj) pleasant tasting; appetizing Synonym: palatable ❑ putrid (adj) rotten; having a foul odor ( putris rotten) Synonyms: rancid, decayed ❑ myopic (adj) short-sightedness Synonyms: narrow-minded, injudicious, undiscerning ❑ perceive (v) to become aware Synonyms: discern, ascertain ❑ aural (adj) relating to the sense of hearing (auris ear) Synonym: auditory ❑ tangible (adj) detectable by touch; substantial (tangere to touch) Synonyms: palpable, concrete CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 133 Vocabulary Lesson 31: Stop It! Today’s roots: ab-, abs- from terrere to frighten tenere hold suadere to urge ❑ thwart (v) to stop something before it is able to succeed Thanks to inside information, the police department was able to thwart the bank robbery before it even began. Synonyms: circumvent, stymie, foil Antonym: abet ❑ abstain (v) to refrain from action (abs- from + tenere to hold) An alcoholic for twenty years, Robert was unable to abstain from drinking when offered a beer. Synonyms: forgo, eschew Antonym: indulge ❑ deterrent (n) something that acts to discourage (de- away + terrere to frighten) The picture of the vicious lion baring his teeth was an effective deterrent against kids’ reaching into the cage. Synonyms: hindrance, impediment Antonym: incentive ❑ impede (v) to slow the progress of, to block The orange cones did not do much to impede the progress of the cars; they just drove right over them. Synonyms: hinder, obstruct Antonyms: assist, expedite ❑ hinder (v) to slow the progress of The weed-killer sprayed on the garden successfully hindered the growth of the unwanted plants. Synonyms: impede, obstruct, thwart Antonyms: promote, facilitate ❑ curtail (v) to make less (curtus short) In an effort to lose weight, Mark tried to curtail his ice cream consumption. Synonym: diminish Antonyms: extend, boost ❑ impediment (n) something that works to impede progress; a hindrance Louise had a speech impediment that caused her to stutter, but that did not keep her from being a DJ. Synonyms: impedance, encumbrance, hindrance Antonym: aid ❑ stymie (v) to present an obstacle to Synonyms: hinder, impede ❑ dissuade (v) to persuade not to do something (dis- against + suadere to urge) Synonyms: deter, divert ❑ refrain (v) to hold back from doing (re- back + frenare to restrain) Synonyms: halt, inhibit ❑ abstinence (n) the voluntary avoidance of something (abs- from + tenere to hold) ❑ tentative (adj) uncertain The tentative schedule was not set in stone. Synonyms: cautious, diffident ❑ hamper (v) to restrict the progress of Synonyms: impede, hinder ❑ abstemious (adj) sparing or moderate in consumption 134 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 32: Must Be the Money Today’s roots: pecunia money parsi to save pro- ahead indu within ❑ destitute (adj) completely penniless (destitutus abandoned) The stock market collapse of 2000–2002 left many an adept investor destitute. Synonyms: impoverished, penniless Antonyms: affluent, wealthy ❑ frugal (adj) economical; good with money (frux fruit, profit) A frugal shopper does not make a purchase before checking many other places for a lower price. Synonyms: thrifty, parsimonious Antonyms: squandering, prodigal ❑ remuneration (n) payment for services (re- back + munerari to give) The job is tedious, but the remuneration is worthwhile—over fifty dollars per hour! Synonyms: income, earnings ❑ impecunious (adj) without money (im- not + pecunia money) You would never guess that Marisa was so impecunious if you watched her spend money at the mall. Synonyms: destitute, penurious Antonyms: affluent, wealthy ❑ improvident (adj) failing to provide for the future (im- not + pro- ahead + videre to see) Despite once being a millionaire, Claudio was now broke due to his improvident spending decisions. Synonyms: prodigal, negligent, spendthrifty Antonyms: thrifty, frugal ❑ parsimony (n) excessive thriftiness (parsi- to spare, save + monium an action, a condition) Al’s parsimoniousness reached an extreme when he hand-delivered a bill rather than spending money on a stamp. Synonyms: miserliness, stinginess Antonyms: magnanimity, munificence ❑ venal (adj) able to be bribed (venalis that is for sale) The local outlaws knew that the venal sheriff could be paid to let them escape. Synonym: corruptible ❑ thrifty (adj) economical; good with money Synonyms: frugal, provident, parsimonious ❑ pauper (n) an extremely poor individual (pau little + parere to get) Synonym: mendicant ❑ mercenary (n) one who gives his services to the highest bidder (merces pay, reward) ❑ perquisite (n) payment or privilege received in addition to wages (perk for short) Debra enjoyed the perquisites of being the newspaper’s culture editor, such as free tickets to the opera and ballet. ❑ insolvent (adj) bankrupt (in- not + solvent able to pay what one owes) Synonym: broke ❑ indigent (adj) impoverished, poor (indu- within + egere to need, want) Synonym: destitute ❑ pecuniary (adj) pertaining to money ( pecunia money) CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 135 Vocabulary Lesson 33: Saw That Coming Today’s roots: pro-, pre-, fore- before scientia knowledge monere to warn por- forward ❑ prophecy (n) a prediction of the future (pro- before + phanai to speak) The prophecy told of a boy who would soon be born to save the human race from extinction. Synonyms: divination, prognostication ❑ harbinger (n) a precursor Many consider the robin to be a harbinger of spring. Synonyms: omen, forerunner ❑ augur (v) to predict the future (an augur in ancient Rome was an official who foretold events) The “psychic network” claims to augur what is to come for its callers, but most believe it to be a hoax. Synonyms: prophesy, divine ❑ premonition (n) a forewarning (pre- before + monere to warn) The traveler had a premonition of the upcoming disaster and refused to board the plane. Synonyms: presentiment, hunch ❑ portend (v) to give advance warning (por- forward + tendere to extend) The weather service looks for atmospheric signs that portend violent storms. Synonyms: foretell, foreshadow ❑ prescient (adj) having knowledge of future events (pre- before + scientia knowledge) The seemingly prescient gambler made a fortune at the racetrack, always knowing which horse would win. Synonym: clairvoyant ❑ omen (n) a sign of something to come The nervous bride took the death of the minister who was to marry them as an omen that her marriage was doomed. Synonyms: portent, prognostication ❑ foresight (n) the ability to see things coming (fore- before) Synonyms: anticipation, forethought ❑ clairvoyant (n) one with great foresight (clair- clear + voyant seeing) Synonyms: visionary, psychic ❑ portent (n) an omen of a future event (por- forward + tendere to extend) Synonym: omen ❑ preempt (v) to block by acting first (pre- before) Synonym: anticipate ❑ premeditate (v) to plan ahead of time (pre- before + meditari to consider) Synonym: plot ❑ prophetic (adj) able to tell the future (pro- before + phanai to speak) Synonym: prescient ❑ bode (v) to be an omen for something A red sky at dawn bodes ill for sailors. Synonym: portend 136 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 34: Old and Worn Out Today’s roots: arch ancient per- through ante- before ob- away, against ❑ archaic (adj) ancient (arch ancient) The boat’s archaic navigation system confused the young sailor, who knew how to read only the newer consoles. Synonyms: primitive, antiquated Antonyms: modern, novel ❑ relic (n) an object from an ancient time (re- back + linquere to leave) The relic found at the ancient burial site once served as a water pitcher for an Aztec family. Synonyms: artifact, remnant ❑ decrepit (adj) worn out from old age or use (de- down + crepare to break, to crack) The decrepit swing set in the schoolyard had been used by four generations of children. Synonyms: feeble, battered, threadbare ❑ antiquated (adj) obsolete; outdated (antiquus ancient) The computer technology in rural Italy is quite antiquated; even Internet access is rare. Synonyms: archaic, primitive Antonyms: modern, novel ❑ antediluvian (adj) very old (ante- before + diluvim a flood, in reference to the Biblical flood) The piece of pottery they found was an antediluvian bowl that was made over 4,000 years ago. Synonyms: primeval, archaic Antonyms: modern, novel ❑ defunct (adj) no longer in existence (defunctus dead, off-duty) Telegrams as a means of communication are defunct; the existence of email and telephones made them obsolete. Synonyms: dead, extinct Antonym: extant ❑ perpetuate (v) to keep from dying out ( per- through + petere to seek, go to) The myth that cigarettes don’t harm you has been perpetuated by the cigarette companies. Synonyms: immortalize, commemorate ❑ outmoded (v) out of fashion; obsolete Synonyms: anachronistic, obsolete ❑ artifact (n) an object of historical interest (arte skill + factum thing made) Synonyms: relic, remnant ❑ obsolete (adj) outmoded (ob- away + solere to be used) Synonyms: anachronistic, antiquated ❑ dilapidated (adj) worn out Synonyms: decrepit, feeble ❑ threadbare (adj) shabby; worn down such that the threads show Synonyms: dilapidated, decrepit ❑ archive (n) a collection of historically interesting material (arch ancient) CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 137 Vocabulary Lesson 35: Feelings Today’s roots: pathos emotion anti- against con- with syn-, sym- together ❑ apathy (n) lack of feeling; lack of interest (a- without + pathos emotion) Mark was apathetic about Stephanie’s desire to keep her laptop clean; he put his fingerprints all over the screen. Synonyms: indifference, torpor Antonym: intensity ❑ apprehensive (adj) anxious about what is to come It is normal to feel apprehensive on the morning of your driver’s test; it is a nerve-wracking experience. Synonyms: uneasy, concerned Antonyms: fearless, intrepid, dauntless ❑ contrite (adj) repentant (con- with + terere to wear down) The contrite murder suspect scored points with the judge, who appreciated her remorseful attitude. Synonym: remorseful Antonyms: unrepentant, inveterate ❑ lament (v) to mourn, to show sorrow (lamentum a wailing) The fans lamented the passing of John Lennon; they cried as if they had lost a brother. Synonyms: bemoan, grieve Antonym: celebrate ❑ console (v) to comfort (con- with + solari to comfort) There were many family members on hand to console the grieving widow at her husband’s funeral. Synonyms: soothe, calm Antonyms: enrage, provoke ❑ impassive (adj) lacking emotion (im- not + passivus capable of feeling) Joy’s impassiveness about her grades upset her parents; they wanted her to care more about her work. Synonyms: indifferent, apathetic Antonyms: intense, demonstrative ❑ ignominy (n) humiliation; shame Football is so important in our town that dropping a pass in the end zone is more ignominious than going to prison. Synonyms: disgrace, dishonor Antonyms: gratification, dignity ❑ pathos (n) pity; feeling of sorrow (pathos emotion) Synonyms: anguish, woe ❑ empathy (n) the ability to identify with another’s feelings (em- in + pathos feeling) ❑ penitent (adj) feeling remorse for one’s actions Synonyms: repentant, contrite ❑ ambivalent (adj) having mixed feelings toward something (ambi- both) Synonyms: conflicted, irresolute ❑ poignant (adj) causing a sharp emotional response (poindre to prick) Synonyms: stirring, moving ❑ remorse (n) regret for past deeds (re- again + mordere to bite) Synonyms: anguish, contrition ❑ antipathy (n) strong feelings against something (anti- against + pathos feeling) 138 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Unit 5 Exercise Set I Time—8 minutes For each question, select the best answer among the choices given. Note any vocabulary words to review on the Hit List below. 1. Elizabeth’s assistant was with his words and spoke only when it was absolutely necessary. (A) improvident (B) parsimonious (C) antiquated (D) clairvoyant (E) sympathetic 2. The salary Julia received for her job was unsat- isfactory, but the were phenomenal: a den- tal plan, five weeks of vacation, and a company car. (A) perquisites (B) harbingers (C) mercenaries (D) impediments (E) resolutions 3. In spite of his aggressive attempts to us into doing something against the law, we were able to from partaking in the illicit act. (A) goad . . refrain (B) cajole . . stagnate (C) coax . . rebound (D) impede . . abstain (E) dissuade . . recuperate 4. Because the team had been eliminated from the playoffs, they played with in their final five games, losing by an average of forty points per game. (A) fortitude (B) apathy (C) dread (D) vigor (E) resolution 5. The wise old man who lived at the top of the mountain is visited often by villagers looking for him to use his powers to their future. (A) olfactory . . augur (B) tactile . . portend (C) prescient . . divine (D) prophetic . . console (E) clairvoyant . . perjure 6. A departure from the bland food and mundane atmosphere that characterized our recent din- ing experiences, Chez Henri provided cui- sine and ambience. (A) pungent . . a hedonistic (B) savory . . a transcendent (C) piquant . . an artificial (D) obsolete . . a supreme (E) palatable . . an imperious 7. Management’s decision to raise the salaries of the workers was more pragmatic than ; the executives didn’t want so much to be generous as to keep the assembly lines moving. (A) magnanimous (B) mellifluous (C) rigid (D) masochistic (E) frugal 8. After giving birth to her first child, the woman was finally able to with her mother about the pain and discomfort that come with child- birth. (A) empathize (B) collaborate (C) perpetuate (D) premeditate (E) associate 9. The defendant’s contrite behavior was not an act; he truly felt great for the crime of which he was accused. (A) apprehension (B) indigence (C) foresight (D) bliss (E) remorse 10. Even though she was unable to walk without a limp, she did not allow this to her ability to run short sprints for the track team. (A) deterrent . . spur (B) barrier . . impel (C) abstinence . . thwart (D) impediment . . hamper (E) pathos . . hinder HIT LIST CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 139 Vocabulary Unit 5 Exercise Set II Write the meaning next to each root, and then write as many words as you can that contain the root. 1. PATHOS__________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 2. DUCERE_________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 3. TERRERE________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 4. ANTI-____________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 5. AUDIRE__________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 6. FORE-____________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 7. SCIENTIA________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 8. VOCARE_________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 9. POR-_____________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 10. SUADERE________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 11. MONERE_________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 12. TENERE_________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 13. PALPARE_________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 14. INDU_____________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 15. CERNERE________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ . 33: Saw That Coming Today’s roots: pro-, pre-, fore- before scientia knowledge monere to warn por- forward ❑ prophecy (n) a prediction of the future (pro- before + phanai to speak) The prophecy. Lesson 35: Feelings Today’s roots: pathos emotion anti- against con- with syn-, sym- together ❑ apathy (n) lack of feeling; lack of interest (a- without + pathos emotion) Mark was apathetic about. for past deeds (re- again + mordere to bite) Synonyms: anguish, contrition ❑ antipathy (n) strong feelings against something (anti- against + pathos feeling) 138 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Unit