SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 45

Set 45 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: ponder, galvanize, rearrange, agitate, bask. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. ponder · verb/ˈpɑːndər/

   to think about something carefully and for a long time

   After receiving the job offer, she decided to ponder her options before making a decision.

   Synonyms: consider, contemplate, reflect

   Origin: Middle English 'ponderen', from Latin 'ponderare', meaning 'to weigh' or 'to consider'.

2. galvanize · verb/ˈɡæl.və.naɪz/

   to stimulate or excite into action

   The community leaders hope to galvanize public support for the new environmental initiative.

   Synonyms: stimulate, excite, motivate

   Origin: The word 'galvanize' originates from the name of Italian scientist Luigi Galvani, who studied the effects of electricity on muscles in the late 18th century.

3. rearrange · verb/ˌriːəˈreɪndʒ/

   to change the position or order of something

   To make more space in the closet, I decided to rearrange the shelves and hangers.

   Synonyms: reorganize, shuffle, reposition

   Origin: The word 'rearrange' is formed from the prefix 're-' meaning again, and 'arrange' derived from the Old French 'arangier' which comes from the Latin 'arrangere', meaning to set in order.

4. agitate · verb/ˈædʒɪˌteɪt/

   to stir up or disturb emotionally or physically

   The news report about the scandal was designed to agitate the public and spark outrage.

   Synonyms: disturb, provoke, stir

   Origin: from the Latin 'agitate', meaning 'to put in motion', from 'agitaré', which is a frequentative of 'agere', meaning 'to do, act'.

5. bask · verb/bæsk/

   to lie or relax in a warm or pleasant atmosphere

   After a long hike, we decided to bask in the warm sunshine by the lake.

   Synonyms: revel, lounge, bask

   Origin: Middle English 'basken', from Old Norse 'bask'a, to bask in warmth