SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 290

Set 290 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: ludicrous, tensile, undiscovered, didactic, observable. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. ludicrous · adjective/ˈluː.dɪ.krəss/

   absurdly ridiculous or laughable

   The idea that we could finish the project in a single day was ludicrous, considering the scope of the work involved.

   Synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, preposterous

   Origin: from Latin 'ludicrus', meaning 'playful', from 'ludis' meaning 'games'.

2. tensile · adjective/ˈtɛnsl/

   capable of being stretched or pulled tight without breaking

   The engineer tested the tensile strength of the new material to ensure it could withstand heavy loads without breaking.

   Synonyms: stretchable, pliable, ductile

   Origin: The word 'tensile' originates from the Latin word 'tensilis' meaning 'capable of being stretched,' derived from 'tendere' meaning 'to stretch.'

3. undiscovered · adjective/ˌʌndɪsˈkʌvərd/

   not found or identified yet

   The researchers spent years exploring the cave system, hoping to uncover undiscovered species that might hold secrets to ancient ecosystems.

   Synonyms: unidentified, unrevealed, undisclosed

   Origin: from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'discovered,' derived from Middle English 'discouveren,' from Old French 'descovrir,' from Latin 'discooperire' meaning 'to uncover'

4. didactic · adjective/dɪˈdæktɪk/

   intended to teach or instruct

   The professor's lectures were didactic, filled with practical examples that aimed to clarify complex concepts.

   Synonyms: instructive, educational, informative

   Origin: from the Greek 'didaktikos', meaning 'apt at teaching', from 'didaskō', meaning 'to teach'

5. observable · adjective/əˈzɜrvəbl/

   capable of being seen or noticed

   The changes in the experiment were observable over time, making it clear that our hypothesis was correct.

   Synonyms: noticeable, visible, perceivable

   Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'observabilis', which means 'that can be observed'.