Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone - Week 5

On the SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a U.S. founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 25 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean!

Following our Roadmap to the SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. eager
    having or showing keen interest or intense desire
    The good news for veterans is that, because of their service, most Americans are eager to help them succeed in their job searches and careers. US News (Sep 1, 2015)
  2. emphasize
    stress or single out as important
    "It is important to emphasize that this study is insufficient to draw any firm conclusions regarding cause and effect," he added. US News (Sep 1, 2015)
  3. persuasive
    intended or having the power to induce action or belief
    While the judge’s ruling is not binding on other states, it’s forceful and it might be persuasive from one judge to another.  MSNBC (Jul 1, 2015)
  4. pervasive
    spreading or spread throughout
    What I resist most is the insistent, pervasive, inescapable message that we all must be happy. The Guardian (Aug 19, 2015)
  5. intentional
    done or made with purpose and will
    The police said they did not yet know if the shooting was accidental or intentional. New York Times (Aug 24, 2015)
  6. motivated
    strongly driven to succeed or achieve something
    To feel motivated to clean something, you’ve first got to notice, and care, that it’s dirty. The Guardian (Sep 4, 2015)
  7. perceptive
    having the ability to understand
    Perry is extremely socially perceptive, a quality that has helped him connect with people from many different backgrounds. Slate (Jun 5, 2015)
  8. reservation
    an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something
    In a statement, Booker voiced deep reservations but concluded: “It is better to support a deeply flawed deal, for the alternative is worse. Time (Sep 3, 2015)
  9. unanticipated
    not expected
    “It’s unpredictable, unanticipated, and it’s simply an unfortunate accident when it happens.” New York Times (Jun 20, 2015)
  10. unprecedented
    novel; having no earlier occurrence
    In an unprecedented show of military might Beijing has promised never-before-seen firepower on display. BBC (Sep 1, 2015)
  11. hollow
    devoid of significance or point
    Speaking about political dialogue, Assad said any initiative that is not based on fighting “terrorism” will be “hollow” and “meaningless.” Washington Times (Jul 26, 2015)
  12. superficial
    of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
    Alongside the superficial changes, more fundamental shifts are under way as rebel leaders seek to eliminate European influences and align their region with Russia. The Guardian (Aug 16, 2015)
  13. brash
    offensively bold
    There’s a common perception of entrepreneurs as bold, brash, and exceedingly confident individuals. Forbes (Aug 6, 2015)
  14. brusque
    rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
    He'd been called a bully, but his brusque manner was seen as the sidecar to his ability to get things done. Slate (Jan 14, 2014)
  15. tactful
    having a sense of what is considerate in dealing with others
    Other of my friends seem to pity me, although they are usually tactful enough to not say it out loud. Salon (Mar 17, 2013)
  16. passive
    lacking in energy or will
    To see it otherwise, he said, “implies that the media are passive observers rather than active participants who can do something about it.” New York Times (Aug 16, 2015)
  17. agitated
    physically disturbed or set in motion
    When a flight attendant tried to calm Schneider, he became more agitated, swearing at the crew member, advancing on him and then pushing him. US News (Aug 7, 2015)
  18. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
    Even so, many people are apprehensive about exercise after experiencing a heart attack. Washington Post (Apr 27, 2015)
  19. timid
    showing fear and lack of courage
    Where the U.S. could have been aggressive in its pursuit of additional bi- and multi-lateral trade agreements, it has been timid. US News (Jun 10, 2015)
  20. candid
    openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness
    It's odd to hear such a candid admission from the chief of a company whose trade has always been exaggeration and excess. The Verge (Sep 5, 2015)
  21. console
    give moral or emotional strength to
    Even surrounded by family and friend to console you, the world feels empty. New York Times (Jun 26, 2015)
  22. irate
    feeling or showing extreme anger
    Horns honked, and an irate motorist yelled, “Get out of the street so people can get to work!” The New Yorker (Aug 10, 2015)
  23. inflammatory
    inciting action or rebellion
    But as representatives of the National Socialist Front show up to offer support, the town is plastered with neo-Nazi flags, swastikas and other inflammatory material. New York Times (Sep 8, 2015)
  24. inquisitive
    given to questioning
    He was very inquisitive — he kept asking and I kept answering. Washington Post (May 7, 2015)
  25. elated
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
    She ended the class elated and high-fived Victoria: “I built a website! Slate (Aug 31, 2015)
Created on Fri Dec 11 19:23:35 EST 2015 (updated Thu Jun 24 14:14:28 EDT 2021)

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