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 18 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Cause & Effect guide.
01
attractverb
to draw interest or attention toward something
Bright colors attract bees to the flowers in the garden, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueA magnet attracts metal by pulling it closer; attention can be drawn the same way.
02
causenoun
something that produces an effect or result
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueThe first domino is the cause; it produces every falling domino that follows.
03
consequencenoun
a result or effect of an action
The consequences of the decision were severe, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueA consequence is the final domino that falls because the first action occurred.
04
createverb
to bring something into existence
The artist hopes to create a sculpture for the new park, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueCreate means moving an idea from a blank space into existence.
05
createdverb
brought into existence
The new software created opportunities for remote collaboration, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueA once-empty workbench now holds the invention that was created.
06
creatingverb
bringing something into existence
She spent months creating the intricate tapestry, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueCreating is the act of turning an imagined blueprint into something that exists.
07
derivedverb
obtained or developed from a source or origin
Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek roots, helping observers trace the final outcome back to its most important cause.
Memory cueAn arrow from SOURCE to RESULT shows that the result was derived from that origin.
08
inspireverb
to fill someone with the urge to do something creative or meaningful
Great teachers inspire their students to reach their full potential, helping observers trace the final outcome back to its most important cause.
Memory cueInspire someone by striking the spark that lights a creative or meaningful urge.
09
inspiredadjective
filled with creative motivation; guided by a divine or extraordinary influence
The inspired artist created a masterpiece in a single night, helping observers trace the final outcome back to its most important cause.
Memory cueAn inspired mind glows with a newly lit bulb of creative motivation.
10
makesverb
causes something to exist, happen, or be done; creates or produces
She makes her own bread every weekend using a traditional family recipe, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueA maker's hands cause a new object to exist; makes means creates or produces.
11
motivationnoun
the reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way; enthusiasm
Her motivation for studying medicine was a desire to help others, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueMotivation is the fuel explaining why a person starts and keeps moving.
12
producedverb
made or manufactured; created or brought into existence
The factory produced thousands of units each day, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueThe factory output shows what was produced: made and brought into existence.
13
producesverb
makes or manufactures; creates or generates
This region produces some of the finest wines in the world, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueA working machine produces new output by making or generating it.
14
reactverb
to respond or behave in a particular way in response to something
How did your parents react when you told them the news, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cueA reaction arrow springs out immediately after a trigger presses the button.
15
sourcenoun/verb
a place, person, or thing from which something originates
The journalist refused to reveal her source, helping observers trace the final outcome back to its most important cause.
Memory cueTrace the river or idea backward to the spring marked SOURCE where it begins.
16
stemverb
to stop or restrict the flow of
Measures were taken to stem the spread, helping observers trace the final outcome back to its most important cause.
Memory cueA barrier across the stream stems and restricts its flow.
17
triggerverb
to cause an event or situation to happen
The comment triggered a heated debate, setting in motion a chain of events that changed what happened afterward.
Memory cuePressing a trigger button causes the event to begin.
18
yieldverb
to produce or provide; to give way to pressure or demands
The fertile soil will yield an abundant harvest this season, producing consequences that became increasingly apparent as the situation continued to develop.
Memory cueA field yields crops; a bent sign yields by giving way to pressure.
