SAT - E's

Question 1

Ebullient

Answer 1

Adj. showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm.

Amy’s ebullient nature could not be repressed; she was always bubbling over with excitement.

Ebullience, N.

Question 2

Eclectic

Answer 2

Adj. composed of elements drawn from disparate sources.

His style of interior decoration was eclectic; bits and pieces of furnishings from widely divergent periods, strikingly juxtaposed to create a unique decor.

Eclecticism, N.

Question 3

Edify

Answer 3

V. instruct; correct morally.

Although his purpose was to edify and not to entertain his audience, many of his listeners were amused rather than enlightened.

Question 4

Efface

Answer 4

V. rub out.

The coin had been handled so many times that its date had been effaced.

Question 5

Effervescence

Answer 5

N. inner excitement or exuberance; bubbling from fementation or carbonation.

Nothing depressed Sue for long; her natural effervescence soon reasserted itself.

Question 6

Egotistical

Answer 6

Adj. excessively self-centered; self-important; conceited.

Typical egotistical remark: “But enough of this chit-chat about you and your little problems. Let’s talk about what’s really important: Me!”

Question 7

Elated

Answer 7

Adj. overjoyed; in high spirits.

Grinning from ear to ear, Bonnie Blair was clearly elated by her fifth Olympic gold medal.

Elation, N.

Question 8

Elegy

Answer 8

N. poem or song expressing lamentation.

On the death of Edward King, MIlton composed the elegy “Lycidas”.

Question 9

Elicit

Answer 9

V. draw out by discussion.

The detectives tried to elicit where he had hidden his foot.

Question 10

Eloquence

Answer 10

N. expressiveness; persuasive speech.

The crowds were stirred by Martin Luther King’s eloquence.

Eloquent, Adj.

Question 11

Elucidate

Answer 11

V. explain; enlighten.

He was called upon to elucidate the disputed points in his article.

Question 12

Elusive

Answer 12

Adj. evasive; baffling; hard to grasp.

Trying to pin down exactly when the contractors would be finished remodeling the house, Nancy was frustrated by their elusive replies.

Elude, V.

Question 13

Emaciated

Answer 13

Adj. thin and wasted.

Many severe illnesses leave their victims so emaciated that they must gain back their lost weight before they can fully recover.

Question 14

Embellish

Answer 14

V. adorn; ornament.

The costume designer embellished the leading lady’s ball gown with yards and yards of ribbon and lace.

Question 15

Emend

Answer 15

V. correct; correct by a critic.

The critic emended the book by selecting the passages which he thought most appropriate to text.

Question 16

Emulate

Answer 16

V. imitate; rival.

In a brief essay, describe a person you admire, someone whose virtues you would like to emulate.

Question 17

Endorse

Answer 17

V. approve; support.

Everyone waited to see which one of the rival candidates for the city council the mayor would endorse.

Endorsement, N.

Question 18

Enhance

Answer 18

V. increase; improve.

You can enhance your chances of being admitted to the college of your choice by learning to write well; an excellent essay can enhance any application.

Question 19

Enigma

Answer 19

N. puzzle; mystery.

“What do women want?” asked Dr. Sigmund Freud. Their behavior was an enigma to him.

Enigmatic, Adj.

Question 20

Enmity

Answer 20

N. ill wiill; hatred.

At Camp David, President Carter labored to bring an end to the enmity that prevented the peaceful coexistence of Egypt and Israel.

Question 21

Ephemeral

Answer 21

Adj. short-lived; fleeting.

The mayfly is an ephemeral creature; it’s adult-life lasts little more than a day.

Question 22

Equanimity

Answer 22

N. calmness of temperament; composure.

Even the inevitable strains of caring for an ailing mother did not disturb Bea’s equanimity.

Question 23

Equitable

Answer 23

Adj. fair; impartial.

I am seeking an equitable solution to this dispute, one that will be fair and acceptable to both sides.

Question 24

Equivocal

Answer 24

Adj. ambiguous; intentionally misleading.

Rejecting the candidate’s equivocal comments on tax reform, the reporters pressed him to state clearly where he stood on the issue.

Equivocate, V.

Question 25

Erroneous

Answer 25

Adj. mistaken; wrong.

I thought my answer was correct, but it was erroneous.

Question 26

Erudite

Answer 26

Adj. learned; scholarly.

Unlike much scholarly writing, Huizinga’s prose was entertaining as well as erudite, lively as well as learned.

Question 27

Esoteric

Answer 27

Adj. hard to understand; known only to the chosen few.

The New Yorker short stories often include esoteric allusions to obscure people and events.

Question 28

Eulogy

Answer 28

N. expressoin of praise, often on the occasion of someone’s death.

Instead of delivering a spoken eulogy at Genny’s memorial srevice, Jeff sang a song he had written in her honor.

Question 29

Euphemism

Answer 29

N. mild-expression in place of an unpleasant one.

The expression “he passed away” is an euphemism for “he died.”

Question 30

Evanescent

Answer 30

Adj. fleeting; vanishing.

Brandon’s satisfaction in his new job was evanescent, for he immediately began to notice its many drawbacks.

Evascence, N.

Question 31

Exacerbate

Answer 31

V. worsen; enbitter.

The latest bombing exacerbated England’s already existing bitterness against the IRA, causing the prime minister to break off the peace talks abruptly.

Question 32

Exalt

Answer 32

V. raise in rank or dignity; praise.

The actor Alec Guinness was exalted to the rank of knighthood by the queen.

Question 33

Excerpt

Answer 33

N. selected passage (written or musical).

The cinematic equivalent of an excerpt from a novel is a clip from a film.

Also, V.

Question 34

Execute

Answer 34

V. put into effect; carry out.

The choreographer wanted to see how well she could execute a pirouette.

Execution, N.

Question 35

Exemplary

Answer 35

Adj. serving as a model; outstanding.

At commencement, the dean praised Ellen for her exemplary behavior as class president.

Question 36

Exemplify

Answer 36

V. serve as an example of; embody.

For a generation of balletgoers, Rudolf Nureyev exemplified the ideal of masculine grace.

Question 37

Exhaustive

Answer 37

Adj. thorough; comprehensive.

We have made an exhaustive study of all published SAT tests and are happy to share our research with you.

Question 38

Exhilarating

Answer 38

Adj. invigorating and refreshing; cheering.

Though some of the hikers found tramping through the snow tiring, Jeffrey found the walk on the cold, crisp day exhilarating.

Question 39

Exonerate

Answer 39

V. acquilt; exculpate.

The defense team feverishly sought fresh evidence that might exonerate their client.

Question 40

Expedient

Answer 40

Adj. suitable; practical; politic.

A pragmatic politician, he was guided by what was expedient rather than by what was ethical.

Expediency, N.

Question 41

Expedite

Answer 41

V. hasten.

Because we are on a tight schedule, we hope you will be able to expedite the delivery of our order.

Question 42

Explicit

Answer 42

Adj. totally clear; definite; outspoken.

Don’t just hint around that you’re dissatisfied; be explicit about what’s bugging you.

Question 43

Exploit

Answer 43

V. make use of, something unjustly.

Cesar Chavez fought attempts to exploit migrant farmworkers in California.

Exploitation, Adj.,

Question 44

Extol

Answer 44

V. praise; glorify.

The president extolled the astronauts, calling them the pioneers of the Spage Age.

Question 45

Extraneous

Answer 45

Adj. not essential; superfluous.

No wonder Ted can’t think straight! His mind is so cluttered up with extraneous trivia, he can’t concentrate on the essentials.

Question 46

Extricate

Answer 46

V. free; disentangle.

Icebreakers were needed to extricate the trapped whales from the icy floes that closed in them.

Question 47

Exuberance

Answer 47

N. overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness.

I was bowled over by the exuberance of Amy’s welcome.