SAT Advanced Vocabulary Mastery Quiz: Lesson 2

English Language

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| Questions: 15 | Updated: Oct 29, 2025

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1. What does the word 'impotent' mean?

Full of energy

Strong-willed

Adj. powerless; lacking strengh Sentence: Without the gun, he felt impotent. Synonyms: helpless,... Adj. powerless; lacking strengh Sentence: Without the gun, he felt impotent. Synonyms: helpless, weak Antonyms: powerful, strong

Having great power

The word 'impotent' means lacking power or strength, not having great power, full of energy, or strong-willed.

Explanation

The word 'impotent' means lacking power or strength, not having great power, full of energy, or strong-willed.

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About This Quiz

Designed to enhance vocabulary for the SAT, this resource focuses on advanced English words essential for success. It aids in building a robust vocabulary, crucial for effective communication and comprehension in academic contexts.

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You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. What is the definition of antithesis?

N. a similar entity

N. a compromise

N. an exact opposite; an opposite extreme Sentence: Love is the antithesis of hate. ... N. an exact opposite; an opposite extreme Sentence: Love is the antithesis of hate. Synonyms: reverse, other side Antonyms: same

N. a random choice

Antithesis refers to something that is the complete opposite of something else. In the context of the example sentence 'Love is the antithesis of hate,' it highlights the extreme contrast between love and hate.

Explanation

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3. What does the term 'maelstrom' refer to?

A. calm and peaceful state

C. gentle water flow

B. organized and structured environment

N. whirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind Sentence: His emotions were like a maelstrom, and he... N. whirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind Sentence: His emotions were like a maelstrom, and he couldn't decide what course to follow. Synonyms: confusion, disorder Antonyms: order

The term 'maelstrom' refers to a whirlpool, turbulence, or an agitated state of mind, which are all synonyms for this term. It does not signify calm, peace, organization, structure, or gentle flow.

Explanation

The term 'maelstrom' refers to a whirlpool, turbulence, or an agitated state of mind, which are all synonyms for this term. It does not signify calm, peace, organization, structure, or gentle flow.

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4. What does the term 'emendation' refer to?

Adj. perfect

N. a correction Sentence: The last editon of the book contains many emendations. Synonyms:... N. a correction Sentence: The last editon of the book contains many emendations. Synonyms: improvement, change, editing

N. a mistake

V. to worsen

Emendation is the act of making a correction or improvement, not a mistake, worsening, or being perfect.

Explanation

Emendation is the act of making a correction or improvement, not a mistake, worsening, or being perfect.

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5. What does 'chagrin' mean?

C. fear; anxiety

A. happiness; contentment

N. embarrassment; a complete loss of courage Sentence: Joanne had never felt such chagrin as when she fell... N. embarrassment; a complete loss of courage Sentence: Joanne had never felt such chagrin as when she fell into the mud puddle in front of her fiance's family. Synonyms: shame, letdown Antonyms: joy, truimph

B. anger; frustration

Chagrin refers to a feeling of embarrassment or a complete loss of courage. It is synonymous with shame and letdown, and antonymous with joy and triumph.

Explanation

Chagrin refers to a feeling of embarrassment or a complete loss of courage. It is synonymous with shame and letdown, and antonymous with joy and triumph.

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6. What is the meaning of the word 'bauble'?

N. a showy but useless thing Sentence: John had to find some kind of bauble to... N. a showy but useless thing Sentence: John had to find some kind of bauble to give Mary for Christmas. Synonyms: trinket, whatnot, novelty

A delicious snack

A type of building material

A musical instrument

Bauble is defined as a showy but useless thing, often used to describe decorative items with little practical value.

Explanation

Bauble is defined as a showy but useless thing, often used to describe decorative items with little practical value.

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7. What does the term 'diaphanous' mean?

Solid and thick

Adj. very sheer and light Sentence: The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn't sure she... Adj. very sheer and light Sentence: The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn't sure she had the nerve to wear it. Synonyms: transparent, clear, thin Antonyms: opaque, thick

Dense and dark

Opaque and heavy

The correct answer describes diaphanous as something that is very sheer and light, which is the opposite of opaque, dense, and solid or thick.

Explanation

The correct answer describes diaphanous as something that is very sheer and light, which is the opposite of opaque, dense, and solid or thick.

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8. What is a labyrinth?

N. a complicated network of winding passages; a maze Sentence: The mice were made to run through... N. a complicated network of winding passages; a maze Sentence: The mice were made to run through a labyrinth in order to reach their food. Synonyms: transparent, clear, thin Antonyms: opaque, thick

A. a clear, transparent path

C. a thick, opaque barrier

B. a thin, see-through structure

A labyrinth is defined as a complicated network of winding passages, commonly referred to as a maze. It is not transparent or clear, nor is it thin or see-through. It is also not thick or opaque like a barrier.

Explanation

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9. What does it mean to gloat?

A. to feel sad

C. to ignore completely

B. to sympathize with others

V. to look at or think about with great satisfaction Sentence: The track team gloated,... V. to look at or think about with great satisfaction Sentence: The track team gloated, over their latest victory. Synonyms: celebrate, rejoice Antonyms: be sad, sympathize

The correct definition of 'gloat' is to look at or think about with great satisfaction, which is the opposite of feeling sad or sympathizing with others, and also not ignoring completely.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'gloat' is to look at or think about with great satisfaction, which is the opposite of feeling sad or sympathizing with others, and also not ignoring completely.

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10. What is an impediment?

A clear path

N. a barrier; obstruction Sentence: The supervisor wouldn't be an impediment, to her advancement. ... N. a barrier; obstruction Sentence: The supervisor wouldn't be an impediment, to her advancement. Synonyms: handicap, holdup Antonyms: help , aid, support

A stepping stone

A shortcut

An impediment is something that serves as a barrier or obstruction, hindering progress or advancement. In this context, it is the opposite of a stepping stone, a clear path, or a shortcut.

Explanation

An impediment is something that serves as a barrier or obstruction, hindering progress or advancement. In this context, it is the opposite of a stepping stone, a clear path, or a shortcut.

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11. What does the term 'bestial' mean?

Noun. peace; tranquility

Adj. gentle; kind

Adj. savage; brutal Sentence: He took a bestial, delight in tormenting the captive slaves. ... Adj. savage; brutal Sentence: He took a bestial, delight in tormenting the captive slaves. Synonyms: brutish, cruel, vile Antonyms: kind, nice

Adv. gently; softly

The term 'bestial' is used to describe something as savage or brutal, not gentle or peaceful.

Explanation

The term 'bestial' is used to describe something as savage or brutal, not gentle or peaceful.

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12. Effete

Adj. worn out; barren Sentence: Although worn down by age and a life of hard wrok,... Adj. worn out; barren Sentence: Although worn down by age and a life of hard wrok, the man was far from effete. Synonyms: exhausted, weak, burnt out Antonyms: tireless, capable

Vibrant; fruitful

Vigorous; productive

Energetic; robust

The correct answer 'worn out; barren' describes someone or something that is weakened or exhausted, lacking vigor or productivity. The incorrect answers provide synonyms that convey the opposite meaning of 'effete'.

Explanation

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13. What does the word 'shard' mean?

N. shadow

V. share

N. a fragment Sentence: The doctor pulled a shard of glass from the girl's arm. Synonyms: piece, bit,... N. a fragment Sentence: The doctor pulled a shard of glass from the girl's arm. Synonyms: piece, bit, portion

Adj. sharp

The correct answer 'n. a fragment' means a small piece or part of something. The incorrect answers are distractors that do not accurately define the word 'shard.'

Explanation

The correct answer 'n. a fragment' means a small piece or part of something. The incorrect answers are distractors that do not accurately define the word 'shard.'

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14. What is the definition of 'bland'?

Adj. spicy; flavorful; exciting

Adj. mild; tasteless; dull Sentence: His bland manner had a calming effect on the children. Synonyms: smooth, agreeable,... Adj. mild; tasteless; dull Sentence: His bland manner had a calming effect on the children. Synonyms: smooth, agreeable, unexciting Antonyms: exciting, thrilling

Adj. savory; zesty; intriguing

Adv. harsh; pungent; vibrant

The correct definition of 'bland' is mild, tasteless, or dull, which contrasts with the incorrect options given.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'bland' is mild, tasteless, or dull, which contrasts with the incorrect options given.

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15. What is the definition of nihilism?

A political philosophy advocating for extreme order and control

A sense of complete fulfillment and satisfaction in life

A belief in the existence of God

N. a total rejection of established laws; refusing to believe Sentence: Nihilism rejects established laws and... N. a total rejection of established laws; refusing to believe Sentence: Nihilism rejects established laws and order, but it offers nothing in their place. Synonyms: disbelief, rejection, lawlessness Antonyms: obedience, faith, belief

Nihilism involves rejecting established laws and order, rather than embracing them.

Explanation

Nihilism involves rejecting established laws and order, rather than embracing them.

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