SAT Vocabulary Builder Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

Ameliorate

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve. Ameliorate means to improve a difficult situation. 'New policies were implemented to ameliorate the living conditions in the overcrowded prison.'

Question 2

Anachronism

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Something placed in a wrong time period; out of its proper historical context. An anachronism is something that doesn't belong to its time period. 'A clock in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is an anachronism — mechanical clocks didn't exist in ancient Rome.'

Question 3

Anecdote

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

A short, often amusing or interesting story about a real person or event. An anecdote is a brief personal story. In SAT passages, anecdotes are often used to introduce a broader argument. 'The author opens with an amusing anecdote about her first day as a teacher.'

Question 4

Anomaly

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected; an irregularity. An anomaly is an outlier or irregularity. 'The paleontologist noted an anomaly in the fossil record that challenged the accepted evolutionary timeline.'

Question 5

Antithesis

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The direct opposite of something; a contrast or opposition of ideas. Antithesis means the exact opposite. 'Honesty is the antithesis of deception.' In rhetoric, it refers to juxtaposing contrasting ideas.

Question 6

Apathy

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; indifference. Apathy is a lack of interest or motivation. 'Voter apathy remained high despite efforts to increase civic engagement among young adults.'

Question 7

Appease

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

To pacify or satisfy someone by conceding to their demands; to soothe. To appease is to calm someone, often by giving them what they want. 'The manager tried to appease the dissatisfied customer by offering a full refund.'

Question 8

Arduous

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring. Arduous means physically or mentally demanding. 'The arduous climb to the mountain summit took three days and exhausted even experienced hikers.'

Question 9

Articulate

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

(adj.) Able to express ideas clearly and fluently; well-spoken. Articulate means expressing oneself clearly. 'The articulate spokesperson explained the company's complex policy in language that non-experts could understand.'

Question 10

Ascertain

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

To find out something for certain; to determine. To ascertain is to find out definitively. 'Investigators worked to ascertain the cause of the bridge collapse before issuing a public report.'

SAT Vocabulary Builder Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

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