SAT Vocabulary Level 1 — Set 11

Set 11 of SAT Vocabulary Level 1 covers 5 words: awe, harmony, panorama, ballast, decade. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. awe · noun/ɔ/

   a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, and wonder often caused by something grand or powerful

   Standing before the majestic mountains, I felt a sense of awe at their sheer size and beauty.

   Synonyms: admiration, wonder, reverence

   Origin: Middle English 'ege', from Old Norse 'agi'; related to awe.

2. harmony · noun/ˈhɑr.mə.ni/

   a pleasing arrangement of parts or elements

   The artist created a beautiful painting that showcased the harmony of colors and shapes.

   Synonyms: concord, balance, unity

   Origin: from Middle English 'harmonie', from Old French 'harmonie', from Latin 'harmonia', from Greek 'harmonia', meaning 'joint, agreement'

3. panorama · noun/ˌpænəˈræmə/

   a wide, unobstructed view of an extensive area in all directions

   From the mountain summit, we were greeted by a breathtaking panorama of the valley below.

   Synonyms: vista, outlook, view

   Origin: The word 'panorama' comes from the Greek word 'pan' meaning 'all', and 'horama' meaning 'sight' or 'view'. It was coined in the late 18th century.

4. ballast · noun/ˈbæl.æst/

   material added to stabilize a structure or vehicle

   The construction crew added extra **ballast** to the foundation to ensure the stability of the building during strong winds.

   Synonyms: counterweight, stabilizer, support

   Origin: The word 'ballast' comes from the early 15th century Middle Dutch word 'balast', which means 'to stabilize a ship' or 'heavy load'.

5. decade · noun/ˈdɛkeɪd/

   a period of ten years

   Over the last decade, technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate.

   Synonyms: ten years, decennium, period

   Origin: from the Greek 'dekas', meaning 'ten'