The PSAT 8/9 tests vocabulary in context: a Reading and Writing question gives you a passage and asks which word fits, and the wrong answers are usually words that are close in meaning. Studying a whole theme at once is what builds that discrimination — you learn not just what each word means, but how it differs from its neighbors.
Read the definition, then the example, then the memory cue. Come back a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 20 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Activity & Inactivity guide.
01
carryingverb
transporting or holding something while moving
He was carrying a heavy box up the stairs, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cuePicture arms carrying a box across the room: holding it while moving it.
02
comeverb
to move toward or arrive at a place
Please come to my office when you have a moment, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueAn arrow labeled COME points toward the speaker and ends at the destination.
03
dynamicadjective
characterized by constant change or activity; energetic and forceful
The dynamic speaker captivated the audience with her passionate presentation, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueDynamic gears never stop changing and moving with forceful energy.
04
enteringverb
coming or going into a place; beginning to be involved in
Students entering the examination hall must show their identification, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueAn arrow crossing a doorway shows entering a place or becoming involved.
05
existencenoun
the fact or state of living or being; continued survival
Scientists continue to search for evidence of life's existence on other planets, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueA steady heartbeat and a lit presence sign represent existence: the state of being.
06
getverb
to obtain, receive, or come to have something
I need to get some groceries before the store closes, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueAn open hand gets the key when it receives and comes to possess it.
07
heldverb
past tense of hold; kept in one's grasp or possession
She held the fragile vase carefully as she walked across the room, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueA closed hand held the key and kept it in its grasp.
08
involvedadjective
connected or participating in something; complicated
Many volunteers were involved in organizing the charity event, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueA linked chain shows participation; a tangled chain shows the second meaning, complicated.
09
joiningverb
connecting or linking together; becoming a member of
She is considering joining the local book club, showing whether something was functioning, changing, or remaining inactive under the circumstances.
Memory cueTwo open links click together when joining into one chain.
10
offeredverb
presented or proposed for acceptance or rejection
The company offered her a generous salary package, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueAn offered object rests on an open palm, ready to be accepted or rejected.
11
preparedadjective
made ready for use or action; expecting something to happen
She came to the meeting prepared with all the necessary documents, showing whether something was functioning, changing, or remaining inactive under the circumstances.
Memory cueA packed tool kit and checked plan show someone is prepared and ready.
12
provideverb
to make available for use; to supply
The scholarship will provide funding for her education, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueProvide supplies by placing what is needed into open, waiting hands.
13
providingverb
making available or supplying; on the condition that
The organization is providing meals to families in need, helping observers judge what action occurred and how it affected the surrounding situation.
Memory cueProviding fills an empty shelf; in IF language, it sets the condition that must be met.
14
pulledverb
exerted force to move something toward oneself; withdrew
He pulled the door open and stepped inside the building, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueA rope under force moved the object closer; it was pulled.
15
receiveverb
to be given, presented with, or paid something; to accept delivery of
Did you receive my email about the schedule change, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueOpen hands receive what is delivered, given, or paid.
16
releasedverb
allowed to move or act freely; made available to the public
The band released their new album last Friday, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueAn opened cage and public launch show something has been released.
17
runningnoun/verb/adjective
moving at a speed faster than walking; the action of managing or operating
She enjoys running in the park every morning, showing whether something was functioning, changing, or remaining inactive under the circumstances.
Memory cueRunning feet move faster than walking; running a system means keeping it operating.
18
staticadjective
lacking movement, action, or change
Wages remained static for years, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueA static object is frozen while movement passes around it.
19
takeverb
to get into one's hands or possession; to grasp or seize
Please take this book and return it to the library, showing whether something was functioning, changing, or remaining inactive under the circumstances.
Memory cueA hand closes around an object to take it into possession.
20
towardpreposition
in the direction of; approaching
She walked toward the exit when she heard the fire alarm, clarifying the kind and degree of activity taking place in the situation.
Memory cueAn arrow pointing toward the door moves in that direction and approaches it.
