Tip #47 to Get a Top SAT Critical Reading Score

Example Problems

How do you use more impressive vocab in your essay? I learned this strategy from a student who would plan several big words that he knew he would use. He got a perfect 12 every time. Obviously some words will be easier to use than others. Ululation (a howl) might be hard to work in, but inherently (naturally occurring) or incontrovertible (unquestionable) could be used in any essay. For example, "These examples demonstrate incontrovertibly that self-interest is inherent in the success of any society." Try this. Below are a bunch of great essay words. Use these or choose a few of your own from the sentence completion skills, and try to incorporate them in the drill below. Then use them again in the practice essay in Skill 49. This is also, of course, a terrific way to review vocab words.

1. Define each of the following great essay words:

Immutable______

Eradicated______

Auspicious______

Superfluous______

Affinity______

Concordant______

Pertinent______

Thwart______

Ramification______

2. Let's practice incorporating these tips. In the space below, take one of the body paragraphs that you wrote for Skill 44 or 45 and rewrite it, incorporating more of the following: depth of insight, length, impressive vocab, sentence variety, neatness, and proofreading.

Answers

1. "Immutable" means "unchanging" or "indisputable."

Example: Death and taxes are immutable truths.

"Eradicated" means "erased completely." Example: Vaccines have nearly eradicated polio.

"Auspicious" means "fortunate" or "lucky." Example: The French interest in a Northern victory proved auspicious for Lincoln.

"Superfluous" means "unneeded" or inessential."

Example: Critics state that the government overspends on superfluous items.

"Affinity" means "liking" or "inclination." Example: Gatsby was known for his large parties, yet he had an affinity for privacy.

"Concordant" means "in agreement." Example: The ideas expressed in Lincoln's speech were concordant with his earlier declarations.

"Pertinent" means "relevant." Example: Gandhi's way of life is pertinent if we want to understand his politics.

"Thwart" means "to prevent." Example: The storm thwarted the thief's plan.

"Ramification" means "effect." Example : There were many ramifications of the Civil War.

2. Answers vary. In your paragraph, did you get deep, write a fair bit, use some impressive vocab, vary your sentences, write readably, and avoid basic grammar and spelling errors?

Go to: Tip #48