SSAT Vocabulary Practice: Lists 1–5

Two modules for AB, AC, AD, AF, AG, and AL words.

Module 1: AB–AC Words

Vocabulary List: Module 1

1. AbashverbTo embarrass or make ashamed.
2. AbateverbTo become less intense; to reduce.
3. AbdicateverbTo give up power or responsibility.
4. AberrationnounA departure from what is normal or expected.
5. AbhorverbTo hate or detest.
6. AbjectadjectiveExtremely miserable, degraded, or hopeless.
7. AbnegateverbTo reject or give up a right, belief, or desire.
8. AbortiveadjectiveUnsuccessful; failing to achieve the intended result.
9. AbridgeverbTo shorten while keeping the main ideas.
10. AbsoluteadjectiveUnlimited or unrestricted; sometimes tyrannical.
11. AbsolveverbTo free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
12. AbstinentadjectiveRefraining from an activity or indulgence.
13. AbstractadjectiveTheoretical; existing as an idea rather than an object.
14. AbstruseadjectiveDifficult to understand.
15. AbysmaladjectiveExtremely bad; immeasurably deep.
16. AccoladenounAn award or expression of praise.
17. AccostverbTo approach and speak to someone boldly.
18. AcerbicadjectiveSharp, bitter, or harsh in tone.
19. AcquiesceverbTo accept or agree without protest.
20. AcridadjectiveSharp or irritating in smell or taste.
21. AcrimoniousadjectiveAngry, bitter, and harsh.
22. AcumennounKeen insight and good judgment.
23. AcuteadjectiveSharp, severe, or highly perceptive.

Exercise 1: Matching

Match each word with the correct definition.

Words

  1. Abash _____
  2. Abate _____
  3. Abdicate _____
  4. Aberration _____
  5. Abhor _____
  6. Abject _____
  7. Abnegate _____
  8. Abortive _____
  9. Abridge _____
  10. Absolute _____
  11. Absolve _____
  12. Abstinent _____
  13. Abstract _____
  14. Abstruse _____
  15. Abysmal _____
  16. Accolade _____
  17. Accost _____
  18. Acerbic _____
  19. Acquiesce _____
  20. Acrid _____
  21. Acrimonious _____
  22. Acumen _____
  23. Acute _____
A. an award or expression of praise
B. extremely bad or terrible
C. to accept without protest
D. keen judgment and insight
E. to shorten a text
F. sharp or irritating to the senses
G. a departure from the normal
H. theoretical rather than concrete
I. to make embarrassed
J. to free from blame
K. harsh or cutting in tone
L. to hate intensely
M. to give up authority
N. difficult to understand
O. unsuccessful or fruitless
P. to lessen in strength
Q. to approach and speak boldly
R. unlimited in power
S. wretched or hopeless
T. deliberately refraining
U. to renounce or deny oneself
V. angry and bitter
W. severe or highly perceptive
Show Matching Answer Key

1-I, 2-P, 3-M, 4-G, 5-L, 6-S, 7-U, 8-O, 9-E, 10-R, 11-J, 12-T, 13-H, 14-N, 15-B, 16-A, 17-Q, 18-K, 19-C, 20-F, 21-V, 22-D, 23-W

Exercise 2: Gap Filling

Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each sentence.

acumen, abortive, absolve, acrid, abash, abstract, accolade, abnegate, acute, abysmal, acquiesce, abridge, acerbic, abject, abdicate, acrimonious, abstinent, abhor, absolute, aberration, accost, abstruse, abate
  1. The teacher did not want to _____ the student in front of the class.
  2. The wind began to _____ after the storm passed.
  3. The king chose to _____ and allow his daughter to rule.
  4. The single low score was an _____ in an otherwise excellent record.
  5. People who value fairness often _____ corruption.
  6. The refugees lived in _____ conditions after the disaster.
  7. She decided to _____ her claim to the family fortune.
  8. The team made an _____ attempt to finish before the deadline.
  9. The editor had to _____ the novel for younger readers.
  10. The dictator demanded _____ control over the government.
  11. The new evidence may _____ the accused student.
  12. During training, the athlete remained _____ from sugary drinks.
  13. Justice is an _____ idea rather than a physical object.
  14. The philosopher's argument was so _____ that few readers understood it.
  15. The restaurant received _____ reviews because of its poor service.
  16. The scientist received an important _____ for her discovery.
  17. A stranger tried to _____ us outside the station.
  18. His _____ reply made the disagreement more unpleasant.
  19. The committee finally chose to _____ and accept the proposal.
  20. An _____ smell of smoke filled the narrow hallway.
  21. The discussion became _____ when both sides began trading insults.
  22. Her business _____ helped her identify the risky investment.
  23. The doctor noticed an _____ change in the patient's condition.
Show Gap Filling Answer Key

1. abash, 2. abate, 3. abdicate, 4. aberration, 5. abhor, 6. abject, 7. abnegate, 8. abortive, 9. abridge, 10. absolute, 11. absolve, 12. abstinent, 13. abstract, 14. abstruse, 15. abysmal, 16. accolade, 17. accost, 18. acerbic, 19. acquiesce, 20. acrid, 21. acrimonious, 22. acumen, 23. acute

Exercise 3: Paragraph Using All Words

Read the paragraph and notice how each vocabulary word is used in context.

After an abortive attempt to hold the debate outdoors, the club faced abysmal attendance and an abject mood. The chair refused to abdicate her position or use absolute authority to silence criticism. With acute observation and impressive acumen, she recognized that the failure was an aberration, not a permanent pattern. She did not want to abash the volunteers, although she did abhor careless planning. Instead, she offered to abridge the most abstract and abstruse section of the lecture. One member chose to abnegate social media and remain abstinent from online arguments, but an acerbic critic still tried to accost him. An acrid smell from a nearby kitchen made their acrimonious exchange worse. The adviser asked both students to acquiesce and wait for their anger to abate. After the successful second event, the school agreed to absolve the team of blame and present the chair with an accolade.

Module 2: AD–AL Words

Vocabulary List: Module 2

24. AdamantadjectiveFirm and unwilling to change.
25. AddressverbTo deal with or give attention to.
26. AdherentnounA supporter or follower.
27. AdmonishverbTo warn, advise firmly, or reprimand.
28. AdroitadjectiveSkillful, clever, and resourceful.
29. AdulationnounExcessive praise or admiration.
30. AdulterateverbTo make impure by adding another substance.
31. AdverseadjectiveUnfavorable, harmful, or opposing.
32. AestheticadjectiveConcerned with beauty or artistic taste.
33. AffableadjectiveFriendly and easy to talk to.
34. AffectationnounArtificial behavior used to impress others.
35. AffinitynounA natural liking, connection, or similarity.
36. AffluentadjectiveWealthy; having abundant resources.
37. AgendanounA list of matters to discuss or complete.
38. Aggregatenoun/adjectiveA combined total; formed by combining parts.
39. Agnosticnoun/adjectiveUncertain about the existence of God or whether it can be known.
40. AgrarianadjectiveRelated to land, farming, or rural life.
41. AlacritynounCheerful readiness and eager willingness.
42. AllegeverbTo claim something without yet proving it.
43. AlleviateverbTo make pain or difficulty less severe.
44. AllocateverbTo assign or distribute for a purpose.
45. AlloynounA mixture containing a metal and other elements.

Exercise 1: Matching

Match each word with the correct definition.

Words

  1. Adamant _____
  2. Address _____
  3. Adherent _____
  4. Admonish _____
  5. Adroit _____
  6. Adulation _____
  7. Adulterate _____
  8. Adverse _____
  9. Aesthetic _____
  10. Affable _____
  11. Affectation _____
  12. Affinity _____
  13. Affluent _____
  14. Agenda _____
  15. Aggregate _____
  16. Agnostic _____
  17. Agrarian _____
  18. Alacrity _____
  19. Allege _____
  20. Alleviate _____
  21. Allocate _____
  22. Alloy _____
A. a natural connection or attraction
B. eager readiness
C. to distribute for a purpose
D. artificial behavior
E. a loyal supporter
F. to warn or reprimand
G. wealthy
H. unfavorable or harmful
I. to make impure
J. friendly and approachable
K. firm and unyielding
L. excessive praise
M. a mixture containing metal
N. related to farming or land
O. a combined total
P. to deal with a problem
Q. to claim without proof
R. related to beauty or artistic taste
S. a list of matters to address
T. skillful and clever
U. uncertain about what can be known of God
V. to lessen pain or difficulty
Show Matching Answer Key

1-K, 2-P, 3-E, 4-F, 5-T, 6-L, 7-I, 8-H, 9-R, 10-J, 11-D, 12-A, 13-G, 14-S, 15-O, 16-U, 17-N, 18-B, 19-Q, 20-V, 21-C, 22-M

Exercise 2: Gap Filling

Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each sentence.

affinity, allocate, adverse, adroit, agenda, agrarian, affectation, alleviate, adherent, alloy, affable, aggregate, admonish, affluent, allege, aesthetic, adamant, alacrity, adulterate, address, agnostic, adulation
  1. She was _____ that the same rule should apply to everyone.
  2. The principal promised to _____ the safety concern immediately.
  3. Every loyal _____ of the movement attended the meeting.
  4. The coach had to _____ the team for ignoring instructions.
  5. Her _____ handling of the interview impressed the panel.
  6. The celebrity enjoyed the constant _____ of devoted fans.
  7. Dishonest sellers may _____ expensive oil with cheaper liquids.
  8. Despite _____ weather, the hikers continued their journey.
  9. The architect considered the building's practical and _____ qualities.
  10. The _____ host made every new guest feel welcome.
  11. His forced accent was an obvious _____.
  12. The sisters share a strong _____ for music and art.
  13. The charity received support from several _____ families.
  14. The budget discussion was first on the meeting's _____.
  15. The _____ score combines the results from every section.
  16. The speaker described himself as _____ because he was uncertain about religious claims.
  17. The region's economy remained largely _____ and dependent on farming.
  18. The volunteers responded with _____ when the community requested help.
  19. The newspaper chose to _____ misconduct before all the evidence was available.
  20. The medicine should _____ some of the patient's discomfort.
  21. The school will _____ additional money to the library.
  22. Bronze is an _____ made primarily from copper and tin.
Show Gap Filling Answer Key

1. adamant, 2. address, 3. adherent, 4. admonish, 5. adroit, 6. adulation, 7. adulterate, 8. adverse, 9. aesthetic, 10. affable, 11. affectation, 12. affinity, 13. affluent, 14. agenda, 15. aggregate, 16. agnostic, 17. agrarian, 18. alacrity, 19. allege, 20. alleviate, 21. allocate, 22. alloy

Exercise 3: Paragraph Using All Words

Read the paragraph and notice how each vocabulary word is used in context.

In an agrarian town, an affluent donor proposed a new community arts center. The mayor placed the proposal at the top of the meeting's agenda and was adamant that the council should address the town's needs before voting. An adherent of the project responded with such alacrity that several residents volunteered immediately. The adroit architect presented an aesthetic design featuring a sculpture made from a durable alloy. Her affable manner reflected a genuine affinity for local history rather than an artificial affectation. Although the crowd offered enthusiastic adulation, one resident began to allege that the builders planned to adulterate the materials with cheaper substances. The mayor had to admonish him for making an unsupported accusation. Even an agnostic council member, who was uncertain about the donor's motives, agreed that evidence was necessary. To alleviate public concern, the council chose to allocate funds for independent testing. The aggregate cost remained manageable, and despite adverse weather, construction began on time.

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