SAT Vocabulary, roots, prefixes, and suffixes are essential elements in mastering the verbal section of the SAT exam. Understanding these elements enables test-takers to decode unfamiliar words, enhance their vocabulary, and improve their overall language proficiency. By delving into the etymological structure of words, students can uncover their hidden meanings and grammatical functions, which greatly aids in comprehension and critical thinking in the exam.
The Best Structure for SAT Vocabulary Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
If you’re serious about acing the SAT, you need to have a solid understanding of vocabulary roots, prefixes, and suffixes. These building blocks of words can help you decode unfamiliar words and increase your overall reading comprehension.
Here’s a simple four-step structure to help you master SAT vocabulary:
- Learn the most common roots. Start by memorizing the 100 most common roots. These roots will show up in a variety of words, so it’s important to know their meanings.
- Identify the prefixes and suffixes. Prefixes are added to the beginning of words, while suffixes are added to the end. They can change the meaning of a word, so it’s important to know how to identify them.
- Understand how roots, prefixes, and suffixes work together. Once you know the individual parts of a word, you can start to put them together to create new words. For example, the root “mit” means “send,” the prefix “trans” means “across,” and the suffix “-ion” means “action.” So the word “transmission” means “the action of sending across.”
- Practice, practice, practice. The best way to improve your SAT vocabulary is to practice regularly. Take practice tests, read challenging texts, and use flashcards to test your knowledge.
Here are some additional tips to help you learn SAT vocabulary:
- Use a systematic approach. Don’t try to memorize everything at once. Focus on learning a few roots, prefixes, and suffixes each day.
- Be consistent. Study for at least 30 minutes each day.
- Find a study buddy. Studying with a friend can help you stay motivated and hold each other accountable.
- Use resources. There are a variety of resources available to help you learn SAT vocabulary including books, websites, and apps.
By following these tips, you can improve your SAT vocabulary and increase your chances of success on test day.
Table of Common SAT Roots
| Root | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ag, act | do, drive |
| aud | hear |
| bio | life |
| chron | time |
| geo | earth |
| graph | write |
| mit | send |
| ped | foot |
| phon | sound |
| scrib | write |
| spect | look |
Table of Common SAT Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a-, an- | not |
| anti- | against |
| bi- | two |
| circum- | around |
| con-, com- | with, together |
| de- | down, away |
| dis- | not, opposite |
| en-, em- | in, on |
| ex- | out of |
| inter- | between |
| intra- | within |
| mis- | wrongly |
| non- | not |
| post- | after |
| pre- | before |
| pro- | for |
| re- | again |
| sub- | under |
| super- | above |
| trans- | across |
| un- | not |
Table of Common SAT Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -able, -ible | able to be |
| -ance, -ence | state or quality |
| -ate | to make |
| -cide | to kill |
| -duct | to lead |
| -fy | to make |
| -ism | belief or system |
| -ist | one who does something |
| -ity | state or quality |
| -ive | tending to |
| -ment | result of an action |
| -sion, -tion | action or process |
Question 1:
How do prefixes and suffixes affect the meaning of words in the SAT vocabulary?
Answer:
Prefixes and suffixes are morphemes, units of meaning that can be added to the beginning or end of a word, respectively. They can change the part of speech, the meaning, or the tense of a word. For example, the prefix “un-” can negate the meaning of a word (e.g., “unhappy”), while the suffix “-tion” can turn a verb into a noun (e.g., “consideration”).
Question 2:
What are some common prefixes that appear in SAT vocabulary words?
Answer:
Some common prefixes include “a-” (meaning “not” or “without”), “anti-” (meaning “against”), “con-” (meaning “with” or “together”), “dis-” (meaning “apart” or “not”), “ex-” (meaning “out” or “former”), “in-” (meaning “not” or “into”), “mis-” (meaning “bad” or “wrong”), “pre-” (meaning “before”), “re-” (meaning “again” or “back”), and “un-” (meaning “not” or “without”).
Question 3:
How can I use my knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to improve my SAT score?
Answer:
Understanding prefixes and suffixes can help you decode unfamiliar words and guess their meaning in the context of the passage. By breaking down words into their component parts, you can infer their meaning and eliminate incorrect answer choices. Additionally, knowing common prefixes and suffixes can help you remember new words more easily.
Well, there you have it, folks! You’ve now got a solid foundation in SAT vocabulary roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Remember, the best way to master these building blocks is through consistent practice. Keep testing your knowledge and applying your skills, and you’ll be conquering those high-scoring SAT words like a champ. Thanks for reading, and be sure to drop back in later for more SAT-crushing insights. Keep on learning, stay sharp, and rock those vocab tests!