The ACT takes a subtler approach for testing the vocabulary. On the ACT, you need to use the similar set of vocabulary over and over to ace the test. While preparing for the test, you need to know the words better in order to solve a question. Understanding of the vocabulary is crucial as the ACT words are surrounded by a number of hints to their meanings, known as the context clues. Usually, these words are related to literature and science. You may find some of the words having multiple meanings therefore, to ace the test you must know their meaning and usage in a sentence.
Here are the ACT words:
1) analyze: examine in detail, typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation (analysis, analytical)
2) compose:
a) write or create
b) constitute, make up (composition, composed of)
3) correlate: have a mutual relationship or connection (corollary, correlated)
4) critical:
a) expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments
b) expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art
c) involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement
d) (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis
5) determine:
a) cause (something) to occur in a particular way; be the decisive factor in
b) ascertain or establish exactly, typically as a result of research or calculation
6) differentiate:
a) recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different
b) (differentiate between) identify differences between (two or more things or people)
c) make (someone or something) appear different or distinct
d) make or become different in the process of growth or development
7) engage:
a) occupy, attract, or involve (someone’s interest or attention)
b) (engage someone in) cause someone to become involved in (a conversation or discussion)
c) (engage in) participate or become involved in
8) emerge: become apparent, important, or prominent
9) evolve: develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
10) infer: deduce or conclude (information) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements (inference)
11) omit: leave out or exclude (someone or something), either intentionally or forgetfully
12) precede:
a) come before (something) in time
b) come before in order or position (preceding)
13) redundant: not or no longer needed or useful
14) reflect:
a) (of a surface or body) throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it
b) (of a mirror or shiny surface) show an image of
c) embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way
d) (reflect well/badly on) bring about a good or bad impression of: the incident reflects badly on the operating practices of the airlines.
e) (reflect on/upon) think deeply or carefully about
15) relevant: closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand (antonym: irrelevant)
ACT Prep Guide
