SAT Vocabulary Level 1 — Set 212

Set 212 of SAT Vocabulary Level 1 covers 5 words: kinetic, vulnerable, tropical, marginal, hypothetical. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. kinetic · adjective/kɪˈnɛtɪk/

   relating to or resulting from motion

   The kinetic energy of the moving car was converted into heat when it braked suddenly.

   Synonyms: dynamic, active, mobile

   Origin: from the Greek word 'kinētikos', meaning 'moving, active', stemming from 'kinein', which means 'to move'.

2. vulnerable · adjective/ˈvʌlnərəbl/

   capable of being physically or emotionally harmed or attacked

   After the storm, many families found themselves in a vulnerable situation, struggling to find shelter and food.

   Synonyms: exposed, defenseless, weak

   Origin: from Latin 'vulnerabilis', from 'vulnerare' meaning 'to wound'

3. tropical · adjective/ˈtrɑː.pɪ.kəl/

   relating to or situated in the tropics, characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity

   The tropical rainforest is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and plant species.

   Synonyms: equatorial, warm, humid

   Origin: From Medieval Latin 'tropicalis', from Latin 'tropicus', from Greek 'tropikos', meaning 'turning, turning of the sun'.

4. marginal · adjective/ˈmɑrdʒɪnəl/

   relating to or located at the edge or margin of something

   The study focused on the marginal areas of urban development, examining how such regions are often overlooked.

   Synonyms: fringe, peripheral, slight

   Origin: from Latin 'marginalis', meaning 'of the border or edge', from 'margō', meaning 'edge, border'.

5. hypothetical · adjective/ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/

   based on or serving as a hypothesis or assumption

   In a hypothetical scenario, we explored how climate change could impact global food production over the next decade.

   Synonyms: theoretical, speculative, conjectural

   Origin: from the Greek word 'hypothetikos', which means 'pertaining to a hypothesis'.