SAT® Synonym Context Clues Flashcards
Skill: Determine Meaning Using Synonyms in Context | Strand: Craft and Structure | Score Band: Less than 370
Signal Pattern
Comma Restatement
1/24
Comma Restatement Pattern
A comma separates the word from its synonym explanation.
Structure: Word, synonym/explanation
Example: "The project was arduous, requiring months of difficult work."
Why It Works: The comma introduces a clarifying phrase that restates the meaning.
Structure: Word, synonym/explanation
Example: "The project was arduous, requiring months of difficult work."
Why It Works: The comma introduces a clarifying phrase that restates the meaning.
Signal Pattern
Dash Definition
2/24
Dash Definition Pattern
Dashes (—) set off a synonym or definition from the main sentence.
Structure: Word — synonym — continues
Example: "The verdict was irrevocable — unable to be changed — and final."
Why It Works: Dashes create a clear interruption to insert the meaning.
Structure: Word — synonym — continues
Example: "The verdict was irrevocable — unable to be changed — and final."
Why It Works: Dashes create a clear interruption to insert the meaning.
Signal Pattern
Parentheses Explanation
3/24
Parentheses Explanation Pattern
Parentheses ( ) enclose a synonym or brief definition.
Structure: Word (synonym) continues
Example: "The data was anomalous (unusual) compared to previous results."
Why It Works: Parentheses signal supplementary information that clarifies meaning.
Structure: Word (synonym) continues
Example: "The data was anomalous (unusual) compared to previous results."
Why It Works: Parentheses signal supplementary information that clarifies meaning.
Signal Pattern
"Or" Synonym Signal
4/24
"Or" Synonym Signal Pattern
The word "or" directly links a word to its synonym.
Structure: Word, or synonym,
Example: "She was taciturn, or quiet and reserved, during meetings."
Why It Works: "Or" explicitly signals an equivalent meaning is following.
Structure: Word, or synonym,
Example: "She was taciturn, or quiet and reserved, during meetings."
Why It Works: "Or" explicitly signals an equivalent meaning is following.
Signal Pattern
"That Is" Clarification
5/24
"That Is" Clarification Pattern
The phrase "that is" introduces a restatement or synonym.
Structure: Word; that is, synonym
Example: "The solution was efficacious; that is, it was effective."
Why It Works: "That is" explicitly announces a clarification is coming.
Structure: Word; that is, synonym
Example: "The solution was efficacious; that is, it was effective."
Why It Works: "That is" explicitly announces a clarification is coming.
Signal Pattern
"In Other Words" Signal
6/24
"In Other Words" Signal Pattern
This phrase directly indicates a synonym or restatement follows.
Structure: Word phrase; in other words, synonym
Example: "The speech was verbose; in other words, wordy and long."
Why It Works: Explicitly signals the author is restating for clarity.
Structure: Word phrase; in other words, synonym
Example: "The speech was verbose; in other words, wordy and long."
Why It Works: Explicitly signals the author is restating for clarity.
Signal Pattern
"Also Known As" Pattern
7/24
"Also Known As" Pattern
This phrase introduces an alternative name or synonym.
Structure: Word, also known as synonym,
Example: "The doctor prescribed an analgesic, also known as a painkiller."
Why It Works: Presents the synonym as an alternative term for the same thing.
Structure: Word, also known as synonym,
Example: "The doctor prescribed an analgesic, also known as a painkiller."
Why It Works: Presents the synonym as an alternative term for the same thing.
Signal Pattern
Appositive Phrase
8/24
Appositive Phrase Pattern
A noun phrase set off by commas renames or defines the word.
Structure: Word, a/an synonym phrase,
Example: "He was gregarious, a person who enjoys company and socializing."
Why It Works: The appositive provides definition through renaming.
Structure: Word, a/an synonym phrase,
Example: "He was gregarious, a person who enjoys company and socializing."
Why It Works: The appositive provides definition through renaming.
Example Practice
"The author's prose was lucid, or clear and easy to understand."
9/24
What does "lucid" mean?
Best Answer: Clear and easy to understand
Signal Pattern: "or" synonym signal
Why: The word "or" directly introduces "clear and easy to understand" as the meaning of lucid.
Best Answer: Clear and easy to understand
Signal Pattern: "or" synonym signal
Why: The word "or" directly introduces "clear and easy to understand" as the meaning of lucid.
Example Practice
"His response was terse — brief and to the point — yet polite."
10/24
What does "terse" mean?
Best Answer: Brief and concise
Signal Pattern: Dash definition
Why: The dashes set off "brief and to the point" as a direct definition of terse.
Best Answer: Brief and concise
Signal Pattern: Dash definition
Why: The dashes set off "brief and to the point" as a direct definition of terse.
Example Practice
"The medicine was potent (strong and effective) against infections."
11/24
What does "potent" mean?
Best Answer: Strong and powerful
Signal Pattern: Parentheses explanation
Why: Parentheses enclose "strong and effective" as a clarifying synonym.
Best Answer: Strong and powerful
Signal Pattern: Parentheses explanation
Why: Parentheses enclose "strong and effective" as a clarifying synonym.
Example Practice
"The athlete showed tenacity, refusing to quit despite obstacles."
12/24
What does "tenacity" mean?
Best Answer: Persistence and determination
Signal Pattern: Comma restatement
Why: "Refusing to quit despite obstacles" restates the meaning after a comma.
Best Answer: Persistence and determination
Signal Pattern: Comma restatement
Why: "Refusing to quit despite obstacles" restates the meaning after a comma.
Example Practice
"She was industrious; that is, hardworking and diligent."
13/24
What does "industrious" mean?
Best Answer: Hardworking and diligent
Signal Pattern: "that is" clarification
Why: "That is" explicitly introduces the synonym phrase.
Best Answer: Hardworking and diligent
Signal Pattern: "that is" clarification
Why: "That is" explicitly introduces the synonym phrase.
Example Practice
"The debate was contentious, or marked by heated disagreement."
14/24
What does "contentious" mean?
Best Answer: Controversial and argumentative
Signal Pattern: "or" synonym signal
Why: "Or" connects "contentious" with "marked by heated disagreement."
Best Answer: Controversial and argumentative
Signal Pattern: "or" synonym signal
Why: "Or" connects "contentious" with "marked by heated disagreement."
Example Practice
"The plan was pragmatic, a sensible and practical approach."
15/24
What does "pragmatic" mean?
Best Answer: Practical and realistic
Signal Pattern: Appositive phrase
Why: "A sensible and practical approach" is an appositive defining pragmatic.
Best Answer: Practical and realistic
Signal Pattern: Appositive phrase
Why: "A sensible and practical approach" is an appositive defining pragmatic.
Example Practice
"The testimony was credible, also known as believable and trustworthy."
16/24
What does "credible" mean?
Best Answer: Believable and trustworthy
Signal Pattern: "also known as" pattern
Why: "Also known as" explicitly provides synonyms for credible.
Best Answer: Believable and trustworthy
Signal Pattern: "also known as" pattern
Why: "Also known as" explicitly provides synonyms for credible.
Common Trap
Wrong Tone Trap
17/24
Wrong Tone Trap
Choosing a synonym with the wrong positive/negative connotation.
Example Trap: "She was frugal, or careful with money" → choosing "cheap" instead of "thrifty"
Why It's Wrong: "Cheap" is negative; "frugal" and "thrifty" are positive.
Strategy: Match the tone—is the context praising or criticizing?
Example Trap: "She was frugal, or careful with money" → choosing "cheap" instead of "thrifty"
Why It's Wrong: "Cheap" is negative; "frugal" and "thrifty" are positive.
Strategy: Match the tone—is the context praising or criticizing?
Common Trap
Wrong Strength Trap
18/24
Wrong Strength Trap
Choosing a synonym that's too strong or too weak.
Example Trap: "The room was spacious, or large" → choosing "enormous" instead of "roomy"
Why It's Wrong: "Enormous" is too extreme; "spacious" is moderately large.
Strategy: Match the intensity level in the synonym clue.
Example Trap: "The room was spacious, or large" → choosing "enormous" instead of "roomy"
Why It's Wrong: "Enormous" is too extreme; "spacious" is moderately large.
Strategy: Match the intensity level in the synonym clue.
Common Trap
Wrong Part of Speech Trap
19/24
Wrong Part of Speech Trap
Selecting a related word that's not the same part of speech.
Example Trap: "She was cautious, or careful" → choosing "caution" instead of "careful"
Why It's Wrong: "Cautious" (adjective) needs another adjective, not a noun.
Strategy: Verify the grammatical role matches the original word.
Example Trap: "She was cautious, or careful" → choosing "caution" instead of "careful"
Why It's Wrong: "Cautious" (adjective) needs another adjective, not a noun.
Strategy: Verify the grammatical role matches the original word.
Common Trap
Partial Meaning Trap
20/24
Partial Meaning Trap
Choosing a word that captures only part of the full meaning.
Example Trap: "Meticulous, or careful and thorough" → choosing just "careful"
Why It's Wrong: Misses the "thorough" aspect that's essential to "meticulous."
Strategy: Look for the most complete synonym that captures all nuances.
Example Trap: "Meticulous, or careful and thorough" → choosing just "careful"
Why It's Wrong: Misses the "thorough" aspect that's essential to "meticulous."
Strategy: Look for the most complete synonym that captures all nuances.
Common Trap
Related but Not Synonym Trap
21/24
Related but Not Synonym Trap
Choosing a word from the same topic but not actually synonymous.
Example Trap: "Verbose, or wordy" → choosing "talkative" instead of "long-winded"
Why It's Wrong: "Talkative" describes people; "verbose" describes speech/writing.
Strategy: Ensure the synonym applies to the same subject type.
Example Trap: "Verbose, or wordy" → choosing "talkative" instead of "long-winded"
Why It's Wrong: "Talkative" describes people; "verbose" describes speech/writing.
Strategy: Ensure the synonym applies to the same subject type.
Common Trap
Opposite Meaning Trap
22/24
Opposite Meaning Trap
Confusing the synonym with an antonym from the passage.
Example Trap: "Unlike her timid sister, she was bold, or brave" → choosing "timid"
Why It's Wrong: "Timid" is the opposite; the synonym for "bold" is "brave."
Strategy: Track which word you're defining; ignore contrasting words.
Example Trap: "Unlike her timid sister, she was bold, or brave" → choosing "timid"
Why It's Wrong: "Timid" is the opposite; the synonym for "bold" is "brave."
Strategy: Track which word you're defining; ignore contrasting words.
Common Trap
Literal vs. Figurative Trap
23/24
Literal vs. Figurative Trap
Choosing the literal meaning when figurative is meant, or vice versa.
Example Trap: "The argument was heated, or intense" → choosing "hot"
Why It's Wrong: "Heated" is used figuratively here to mean "intense," not literally hot.
Strategy: Consider context—is the usage literal or figurative?
Example Trap: "The argument was heated, or intense" → choosing "hot"
Why It's Wrong: "Heated" is used figuratively here to mean "intense," not literally hot.
Strategy: Consider context—is the usage literal or figurative?
Common Trap
Missing Context Trap
24/24
Missing Context Trap
Ignoring modifying words around the synonym clue.
Example Trap: "Slightly obscure, or somewhat unclear" → choosing "completely hidden"
Why It's Wrong: "Slightly" and "somewhat" indicate mild degree, not complete.
Strategy: Read the entire synonym phrase, including modifiers like "very," "slightly," "somewhat."
Example Trap: "Slightly obscure, or somewhat unclear" → choosing "completely hidden"
Why It's Wrong: "Slightly" and "somewhat" indicate mild degree, not complete.
Strategy: Read the entire synonym phrase, including modifiers like "very," "slightly," "somewhat."
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