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 19 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Agreement & Disagreement guide.
01
acceptverb
to receive willingly or agree to something offered
She decided to accept the job offer after careful consideration, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueOpen hands accept a gift; they receive it willingly instead of pushing it away.
02
acknowledgedverb
recognized or accepted as true or valid
The scientist acknowledged the contributions of her research team, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueA knowing nod acknowledges a fact: it recognizes and accepts that the fact is true.
03
agreementsnoun
arrangements or understandings between parties
Both countries signed trade agreements to boost economic cooperation, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueTwo signatures meet on one page; agreements record shared arrangements or understandings.
04
approvedverb
officially accepted or sanctioned
The committee approved the budget proposal unanimously, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueA green APPROVED stamp means an authority has officially accepted it.
05
arguingverb
exchanging diverging views in a heated manner
They spent the afternoon arguing about which route to take, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueArguing looks like two speech arrows colliding as opposing views grow heated.
06
collaborationnoun
working together with others to achieve a goal
The project was completed through collaboration between three departments, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueRowers must pull together to reach one finish line; collaboration is shared work toward a goal.
07
compliancenoun
the act of conforming to rules or requirements
The company is in full compliance with federal regulations, making the relationship between the competing positions easier for observers to understand.
Memory cueCompliance means every action receives a check beside the governing rule or requirement.
08
consensusnoun
general agreement among a group
The committee reached a consensus on the new policy, making the relationship between the competing positions easier for observers to understand.
Memory cueConsensus is a circle of different hands all pointing to the same checked answer.
09
controversialadjective
causing public disagreement or debate
The controversial decision sparked protests across the city, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueA controversial issue splits a public crowd into opposing, loudly debating sides.
10
controversynoun
prolonged public disagreement or debate
The new law created significant controversy among citizens, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueA controversy is a public argument that keeps a debate rope pulled tight for a long time.
11
deniedverb
refused to admit the truth of; rejected a request
The company denied any involvement in the environmental scandal, making the relationship between the competing positions easier for observers to understand.
Memory cueA request meets a locked NO door; a claim meets a head shaking against its truth.
12
denyingverb
refusing to admit or acknowledge something; rejecting
Despite the evidence, he kept denying his involvement in the incident, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueDenying looks like pushing away a claim and refusing to acknowledge it.
13
disputenoun/verb
a disagreement or argument; to argue or question the truth of something
The neighbors settled their property dispute through mediation, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueA dispute pulls two sides into argument and places a question mark over the claim.
14
followverb
to go or come after; to act according to instructions
Please follow the instructions carefully to assemble the device, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueFollow the footprints that go after the leader, or follow the written instructions.
15
followedverb
went or came after; acted according to instructions
The success of the first book was followed by an equally popular sequel, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueA trail of footprints shows that one traveler followed after another.
16
partnershipnoun
a cooperative relationship between people or organizations
The two companies formed a partnership to develop new technology, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueA partnership joins two hands to carry one shared project.
17
refuseverb
to indicate that one is not willing to do something; to decline to accept
She will refuse to compromise on her principles, shaping whether the group could reach a decision acceptable to everyone involved.
Memory cueA firm NO hand pushes the offer away to refuse it.
18
refusingverb
declining to accept or do something
He kept refusing their offers despite the generous terms, clarifying where the people involved stood on the disputed issue.
Memory cueRefusing means keeping the NO barrier raised against an offer or action.
19
settledverb/adjective
resolved or reached an agreement; established residence in a place
They finally settled the dispute out of court, making the relationship between the competing positions easier for observers to understand.
Memory cueA settled dispute receives a handshake; a settled person plants a home location pin.
