Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone - Week 7

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.
25 words 14558 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. profound
    showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
    For the Hawaiians, who invented the sport, surfing was no mere pastime but a profound expression of their religion and culture. Wall Street Journal (Aug 13, 2015)
  2. curt
    brief and to the point
    There was no explanation given in the curt, two-paragraph news release that the Dodgers sent out to announce the bizarre move. Los Angeles Times (Aug 17, 2015)
  3. demure
    shy or modest, often in a playful or provocative way
    Yes, it was see-through - and there was latex! - but it was oddly demure, covered up, with just a hint of suggestion. New York Times (Nov 21, 2012)
  4. earnest
    characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions
    [He] seemed overly slow and overly earnest, like a man explaining the government to toddlers. Washington Post (Jun 24, 2015)
  5. seemingly
    from appearances alone
    All around us, seemingly happy celebrity couples are calling it quits, prompting many people to declare that “love is dead.” Time (Sep 8, 2015)
  6. substantiate
    establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
    Photographic, video and eyewitness accounts have been assembled to substantiate the allegations, officials said. Los Angeles Times (Aug 6, 2015)
  7. surly
    unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
    Managers who were perceived as kind and caring, and who could inspire and coach employees would do better than bosses who were mean and surly. Forbes (Jun 22, 2015)
  8. vibrant
    vigorous and animated
    We know these cities, at their best, can all be inviting, vibrant, and dynamic destinations. Time (Aug 31, 2015)
  9. admonish
    scold or reprimand; take to task
    In their opening remarks, they admonished the jury to consider only evidence presented in the trial. New York Times (Jul 8, 2015)
  10. befuddled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    He has often seemed befuddled and confused, along with wrong about just about everything. Salon (Jun 22, 2015)
  11. contemplative
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Some people become more contemplative as they age and take the time to reflect on the life they have lived. US News (Jun 26, 2015)
  12. cynical
    believing the worst of human nature and motives
    While we know children are impressionable, they are also discerning and optimistic, often noting the best in people rather than taking a more cynical view. US News (Jul 27, 2015)
  13. forlorn
    marked by or showing hopelessness
    he image of forlorn bears on small rafts of ice has become a symbol of the dangers of climate change. New York Times (Sep 22, 2014)
  14. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    What we can do is hopefully have a detached perspective, without being pompous and haughty. BBC (May 29, 2013)
  15. negligent
    characterized by undue lack of attention or concern
    "Leaving a child unattended in a car or a house is negligent conduct," Judge Mary Catherine Cuff wrote. US News (Aug 20, 2015)
  16. pedantic
    marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
    They speak in an over-precise way with much pedantic insistence on letters not generally sounded, especially Hs. The Guardian (Jul 17, 2013)
  17. poignant
    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
    But a series of poignant, heart-wrenching tweets from Parker’s boyfriend laid bare the tragic human consequences of the horrific episode. Salon (Aug 26, 2015)
  18. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
    One step at a time, in solemn synchrony, the casket team carried the coffin up the grassy hill on Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery. Washington Post (Aug 25, 2015)
  19. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    OpenDaylight’s success comes as a shock to those of us that were initially skeptical of its legitimacy and relevance. Forbes (Aug 2, 2015)
  20. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    At age 40, most men can take a wistful look back and think of a few things they wish they had done in their youth. Washington Times (Aug 7, 2015)
  21. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
    He said his state was prepared for future hurricanes: “Our levies are stronger than they’ve ever been before, but we must not become complacent.” New York Times (Aug 30, 2015)
  22. acerbic
    sour or bitter in taste
    For the uninitiated, Hopkins rose to fame as a villainous contestant on The Apprentice UK, where she drew attention for her acerbic, insulting comments. Time (Mar 5, 2015)
  23. apathetic
    showing little or no emotion or animation
    No, it's just something to encourage people to step out and stand up for themselves and not be apathetic. BBC (Aug 5, 2015)
  24. bombastic
    ostentatiously lofty in style
    It’s also not quite so over-the-top and bombastic as Ghosts, though it’s a far cry from what anyone might describe as realistic. Forbes (Nov 3, 2014)
  25. conducive
    tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
    When they had Wally, the Ellensons decided the driving, long hours, low pay and nomadic lifestyle of coaching were not conducive to raising a family. New York Times (Nov 24, 2015)
Created on Fri Dec 11 22:01:39 EST 2015 (updated Thu Jun 24 14:14:49 EDT 2021)

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