Critical Reading: Building Your Vocabulary

________ is a very important aspect of the PSAT reading and writing exam.

art history, physics, technology, geology, etc

intricate and complicated

the gradual wearing away of a metal element due to a chemical reaction

(v.) to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else.

a summary of the contents of a book, article, or formal speech.

a rough and bitter manner

opponent

(adj) unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile

friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to

A likeness, a natural relationship, a kinship

to relieve, make more bearable

adjective showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others

easy to approach; obtainable

enthusiastic approval

(v.) to do a favor or service for, help out; to provide for, supply with; to have space for; to make fit or suitable

recognize; admit

open to more than one interpretation

mixed feelings or emotions

adjective disposed or willing to comply

a lack of feeling, emotion, or interest

Apprenticeship is a kind of job training that involves following and studying a master of the trade on the job instead of in school. Carpenters, masons, doctors, and many other professionals often learn their trade through apprenticeship.

noun the most powerful members of a society

(v.) to declare or state as truth, maintain or defend, put forward forcefully

noun a feeling of intense dislike

noun an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility

anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen

(v.) to have ambitious hopes or plans, strive toward a higher goal, desire earnestly; to ascend

adjective repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

adjective kind in disposition or manner

Something brittle is easily broken. Do you have brittle bones? Then no football or rugby for you

Something that is buoyant floats in water. Since floating is happier than sinking, buoyant also refers to things are fun and upbeat.

Candor usually means the quality of being open, honest, and sincere. If someone tells you they think you're boring, you might reply with, "While I appreciate your candor, I don't think we need to be friends anymore."

noun the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

verb attract; cause to be enamored

To captivate means to attract others, fascinating or enchanting them. Some people are able to captivate with wit and charm, others with physical beauty, still others with intelligence.

noun a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

A caricature is a satirical, exaggerated portrayal of a person. You'd better not caricature your father by walking bent-over and speaking in his high voice. If he catches you, you'll be in trouble!

(v.) to work with, work together

mental calmness

to settle differences

to pardon or overlook

To cut short or reduce

to waste time, to spend time idly, to move in a lackadaisical manner

(n.) a lack, scarcity, inadequate supply; a famine

to weaken, to enfeeble

proper; tasteful; socially correct

(v.) to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially depreciate

the action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.

Sure you wear ripped jeans to school every day, but you don't wear them to your grandmother's house out of deference to her. When you show deference to someone, you make a gesture of respect.

to settle as true

Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant

(of a person) wishing to do what is right, especially to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.

the action or process of combining a number of things into a single more effective or coherent whole.

a record of events in order of time; a history

wary and unwilling to take risks.

quote

to break down; to deteriorate

to lower the status or stature of something like a person

inform against.

quarrelsome, inclined to argue

a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

come together to form one mass or whole.

a generally agreed-upon practice or attitude

Reticent means either quiet or restrained. If you're reticent about your feelings, you like to keep them to yourself, and you're probably quiet in rowdy groups where everyone is talking over each other.

feeling or showing deep and solemn respect

to make fun of

If you want to examine something closely and go over every single detail, then you should scrutinize it. Like the way your mom probably assesses your outfit before you leave the house for school.

isolation from others, solitude

noun the absence of mental stress or anxiety

to separate, divide into parts

(v.) to take up and support; to become attached to, adopt; to marry

verb pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

to make easy, cause to progress faster

(v.) to make use of, develop; to make improper use of for personal profit; (n.) a feat, deed

false; misleading

A farce is a broad satire or comedy, though now it's used to describe something that is supposed to be serious but has turned ridiculous. If a defendant is not treated fairly, his lawyer might say that the trial is a farce.

adjective giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness

adjective attempting to win favor by flattery

possible, able to be done

intense and passionate feeling

(adj.) lacking in seriousness; disrespectful, saucy

directly frank without hesitation

being easily broken or destroyed

(adj.) of little importance, not worthy of serious attention; not meant seriously

talkative

(v.) to bring into existence; to be the cause of

observable facts

lover of humanity; person active in promoting human welfare

power

dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

an assumption; the basis for a conclusion

(n.) forewarning or foreboding of a future event

too forward or bold; overstepping proper bounds

Having great depth or seriousness

a rapid increase

(adj.) abundantly productive; abundant, profuse

A speech, passage, or event coming before the main speech or event

standing out so as to be easily seen; important, well-known

to raise or move to a higher grade, rank, or job; to advocate

Foreseeing or predicting the future