SSAT Vocabulary Practice: CO & COM Words

Matching, gap filling, and paragraph practice for advanced vocabulary.

Vocabulary List

1. CoalesceverbTo come together and form one whole.
2. CoerceverbTo force someone to do something by pressure or threats.
3. CogentadjectiveClear, logical, and convincing.
4. CognitiveadjectiveRelated to thinking, learning, memory, or understanding.
5. CognizantadjectiveAware of something; having knowledge of it.
6. CoherentadjectiveLogical, consistent, and easy to understand.
7. ColloquialadjectiveInformal and conversational in language.
8. CollusionnounSecret cooperation for a dishonest or illegal purpose.
9. CommensurateadjectiveEqual or corresponding in size, degree, or importance.
10. CompellingadjectivePowerfully convincing or strongly attracting attention.
11. CompendiumnounA concise collection of information on a subject.
12. ComplacentadjectiveToo self-satisfied to notice danger, weakness, or the need to improve.
13. Complementnoun / verbSomething that completes or improves another thing; to complete or improve.
14. ComplicitynounInvolvement with others in wrongdoing.
15. ComprehensiveadjectiveComplete and thorough; covering all or nearly all parts.
16. CompriseverbTo consist of or include.
17. ConciliatoryadjectiveIntended to reduce anger and make peace.
18. ConciseadjectiveBrief, clear, and expressed without unnecessary words.

Exercise 1: Matching

Match each word with the correct definition.

Words

  1. Coalesce _____
  2. Coerce _____
  3. Cogent _____
  4. Cognitive _____
  5. Cognizant _____
  6. Coherent _____
  7. Colloquial _____
  8. Collusion _____
  9. Commensurate _____
  10. Compelling _____
  11. Compendium _____
  12. Complacent _____
  13. Complement _____
  14. Complicity _____
  15. Comprehensive _____
  16. Comprise _____
  17. Conciliatory _____
  18. Concise _____
A. brief and clear, with no unnecessary words
B. intended to make peace or reduce anger
C. clear, logical, and convincing
D. to force someone through pressure or threats
E. aware of something
F. logical, consistent, and understandable
G. informal and conversational
H. secret dishonest cooperation
I. equal or corresponding in degree or size
J. powerfully convincing or attention-grabbing
K. a concise collection of information
L. to come together into one whole
M. too self-satisfied to notice danger or weakness
N. something that completes or improves another thing
O. involvement in wrongdoing
P. related to thinking, learning, or understanding
Q. complete and thorough
R. to consist of or include
Show Matching Answer Key

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

Exercise 2: Gap Filling

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

coalesce, coerce, cogent, cognitive, cognizant, coherent, colloquial, collusion, commensurate, compelling, compendium, complacent, complement, complicity, comprehensive, comprise, conciliatory, concise
  1. The witness gave a _____ account that changed the jury's opinion.
  2. The committee will _____ five teachers, two parents, and three students.
  3. The dialogue sounded natural because the writer used _____ expressions.
  4. The small clubs began to _____ into one powerful student organization.
  5. The assistant denied any _____ in the cheating scandal.
  6. His _____ tone helped end the argument peacefully.
  7. The reward should be _____ with the difficulty of the task.
  8. After revision, the paragraph became more _____ and easier to follow.
  9. The textbook includes a useful _____ of major grammar rules.
  10. Sleep affects many _____ skills, including memory and attention.
  11. The team became _____ after winning three games and stopped practicing seriously.
  12. The bully tried to _____ younger students into giving him their lunch money.
  13. The teacher gave a _____ review before the exam, covering every major topic.
  14. Her essay made a _____ argument supported by clear evidence.
  15. The quiet music will _____ the calm mood of the scene.
  16. The coach was _____ of the team's weaknesses before the final match.
  17. A strong summary should be accurate, _____, and focused.
  18. The two companies were accused of _____ to keep prices unfairly high.
Show Gap Filling Answer Key

1. compelling, 2. comprise, 3. colloquial, 4. coalesce, 5. complicity, 6. conciliatory, 7. commensurate, 8. coherent, 9. compendium, 10. cognitive, 11. complacent, 12. coerce, 13. comprehensive, 14. cogent, 15. complement, 16. cognizant, 17. concise, 18. collusion

Exercise 3: Paragraph Using All Words

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

At first, the debate club was divided, but several members began to coalesce around a fairer set of rules. When one leader tried to coerce others into silence, Maya answered with a cogent speech about student rights. Her argument showed sharp cognitive skill, and she was fully cognizant of the risks. Because her points were coherent rather than emotional, even students who usually preferred colloquial debate language listened carefully. Soon, evidence of collusion among a few officers became clear, and the punishment seemed commensurate with the harm they had caused. Maya's compelling presentation included a compendium of emails, rules, and witness statements. The club had grown too complacent, so her reforms would complement the old traditions without ignoring anyone's complicity. After a comprehensive review, the new council would comprise elected students from every grade. In a final conciliatory note, Maya wrote a concise message asking everyone to rebuild trust.

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