SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 116

Set 116 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: caulk, skepticism, peril, mirage, cleft. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. caulk · noun/kɔk/

   a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structures

   After installing the new windows, we applied caulk around the edges to prevent any air leaks.

   Synonyms: sealant, mastic, filler

   Origin: The word caulk originates from Middle English 'calke,' derived from Old French 'calquer,' meaning 'to press or flatten'.

2. skepticism · noun/ˈskɛptɪˌsɪzəm/

   a skeptical attitude or doubt towards the validity of something

   Her skepticism towards the advertising claims led her to conduct her own research before making a purchase.

   Synonyms: doubt, distrust, disbelief

   Origin: late 16th century: from French 'scepticisme' or Latin 'scepticismus', from Greek 'skeptikos' meaning 'thoughtful' or 'inquirer'.

3. peril · noun/ˈpɛrəl/

   exposure to injury, loss, or destruction

   The hikers found themselves in great peril as the storm approached rapidly, threatening to engulf them in harsh weather conditions.

   Synonyms: danger, risk, hazard

   Origin: Middle English perils, from Old French peril, from Latin periculum

4. mirage · noun/məˈrɑʒ/

   an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions that makes distant objects appear displaced or distorted

   As we trekked across the desert, the shimmering mirage of a distant oasis kept us hoping for relief from the scorching heat.

   Synonyms: illusion, hallucination, phantasm

   Origin: from French 'mirage', from 'mirer' meaning 'to look at, to be reflected'.

5. cleft · noun/klɛft/

   a fissure or split in something

   The hiker noticed a deep cleft in the rock face, revealing layers of geological history.

   Synonyms: fissure, split, gap

   Origin: Middle English 'clefte', past participle of 'cleven', meaning to split or divide.