SAT Reading Passage Vocabulary

QuestionAnswer
a fact or event that can be observed and studied, often one whose cause is in question
phenomenon
Scientists are still working to understand the phenomenon of mass coral bleaching across tropical reefs.
an element or factor that can change in an experiment or situation
variable
The researchers controlled for every variable except temperature to isolate its effect on plant growth.
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things, where one may affect the other
correlation
The study found a strong correlation between regular exercise and improved mental health outcomes.
a system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline or activity
methodology
The reviewers questioned the methodology of the experiment, noting that the sample size was too small.
relating to or measured by the quantity or amount of something, expressed in numbers
quantitative
The researchers used quantitative data, including test scores and graduation rates, to measure student success.
relating to or based on the quality or character of something rather than its quantity
qualitative
The interviews provided rich qualitative insights into the daily challenges faced by frontline workers.
a typical pattern, model, or framework of thinking accepted by a community
paradigm
The discovery of DNA's structure represented a paradigm shift in the field of biology.
to make an identical copy of something; to reproduce an experiment or study to verify results
replicate
Other laboratories attempted to replicate the findings but were unable to achieve the same outcomes.
something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected
anomaly
The unusually warm winter was regarded as an anomaly by climate researchers studying long-term trends.
a group of living organisms consisting of individuals with shared characteristics
species
The biologist documented over thirty species of insects in a single hectare of rainforest.
the complete set of genetic material in an organism
genome
Mapping the human genome opened up new possibilities for personalized medicine and genetic research.
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
ecosystem
The introduction of wolves back into the park dramatically transformed the entire ecosystem.
the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into food
photosynthesis
During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a byproduct.
a measure of disorder or randomness in a system; the inevitable tendency toward greater disorder
entropy
According to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy in a closed system always increases over time.
a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
mitosis
Mitosis allows organisms to grow and repair damaged tissue by producing genetically identical cells.
something that causes a response or reaction in a living organism
stimulus
The researchers measured how quickly the subjects responded to each visual stimulus on the screen.
a close and long-term biological interaction between two different species
symbiosis
The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones is a classic example of symbiosis in marine environments.
a state of balance between opposing forces, processes, or influences
equilibrium
The market eventually reached a state of equilibrium where supply matched consumer demand.
the process of making laws; a law or set of laws enacted by a governing body
legislation
New legislation was introduced to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in hiring practices.
supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself
sovereignty
The treaty raised concerns about whether it would compromise the nation's sovereignty over its natural resources.
the right to vote in political elections
suffrage
The suffrage movement fought tirelessly for decades to secure voting rights for women.
the act of ending a practice or institution, especially slavery
abolition
The abolition of slavery in the United States was formalized by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.
a formal change or addition to a law, constitution, or official document
amendment
The First Amendment protects the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press.
an earlier event or action that serves as an example or guide for future similar situations
precedent
The court's ruling set a legal precedent that would influence decisions for decades to come.
to formally approve or confirm something, such as a treaty or agreement
ratify
All member states must ratify the agreement before it can take effect internationally.
the people who live in and are represented by a particular electoral district
constituents
The senator held a town hall meeting to hear the concerns of her constituents.
an official order or authorization to carry out a particular policy or action
mandate
The election gave the new president a clear mandate to pursue economic reform.
originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
indigenous
The museum's new exhibit highlights the art and traditions of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
the process of absorbing a minority group into the dominant culture
assimilation
Debates about cultural assimilation often center on the balance between integration and preserving heritage.
the dispersion or spread of a people from their original homeland
diaspora
The African diaspora has profoundly shaped the cultures of the Americas and the Caribbean.
dominance or leadership, especially by one country or social group over others
hegemony
The empire maintained its hegemony over the region through a combination of military force and diplomacy.
a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or military force
imperialism
European imperialism in the nineteenth century reshaped the political boundaries of Africa and Asia.
the act of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
emancipation
The Emancipation Proclamation declared the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate states.
a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and individual states
federalism
The U.S. Constitution established a system of federalism that balances power between the national and state governments.
cruel and oppressive government or rule
tyranny
The colonists argued that taxation without representation was a form of tyranny.
a form of government in which a small group of powerful people hold control
oligarchy
Critics described the country's political system as an oligarchy controlled by a handful of wealthy families.
a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives
republic
Benjamin Franklin famously warned that the founders had created a republic, if the citizens could keep it.
a system of government in which citizens exercise power directly or through elected representatives
democracy
Athenian democracy allowed free male citizens to vote on laws and policies in public assemblies.
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty, especially in art
aesthetic
The architect prioritized aesthetic appeal as much as structural functionality in her designs.
a spoken or written account of connected events; a story or account
narrative
The author constructed a compelling narrative that wove together personal experience and historical research.
a recurring theme, image, or element in a work of art or literature
motif
The motif of water appears throughout the novel, representing both renewal and destruction.
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden moral or political meaning
allegory
George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is widely read as an allegory for the Russian Revolution.
the placing of two elements close together to compare or contrast them
juxtaposition
The juxtaposition of the wealthy estate and the neighboring slum highlighted the region's stark inequality.
the language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a particular region
vernacular
The poet chose to write in the local vernacular rather than formal literary English.
a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject
genre
Science fiction as a genre allows writers to explore ethical questions through imagined futures.
the accepted body of works considered to be the most important in a particular field
canon
The literary canon has expanded over the decades to include more diverse voices and perspectives.
a very typical example of a certain person or thing; a universal symbol or pattern
archetype
The hero's journey is an archetype found in myths and stories across nearly every culture.
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something it does not literally describe, to suggest a resemblance
metaphor
Calling time a thief is a common metaphor used to express how quickly moments pass.
the use of humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize foolishness or corruption
satire
Jonathan Swift used satire to critique British policy toward Ireland in "A Modest Proposal."