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 12 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Flexibility & Rigidity guide.
01
accommodateverb
to provide space or lodging for; to adjust to meet needs
The hotel can accommodate up to 500 guests, making the contrast between adaptability and inflexibility especially clear in practice.
Memory cueA hotel adds a cot to accommodate one more guest: it makes room and adjusts to a need.
02
adaptverb
to adjust or modify to suit new conditions
Animals must adapt to changing environments to survive, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueA chameleon adapts by changing color to suit its new surroundings.
03
confinedadjective
restricted or limited to a particular area (also: restricted in area or volume)
The patient was confined to bed rest for several weeks, making the contrast between adaptability and inflexibility especially clear in practice.
Memory cueA confined object cannot leave the small fence that restricts its area.
04
cooperativeadjective
willing to work together
The cooperative team achieved success, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueCooperative partners carry the same load together.
05
flexibleadjective
capable of bending easily without breaking
The flexible schedule accommodated everyone, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueA flexible band bends into new shapes without breaking.
06
immuneadjective
resistant to a particular infection or toxin; protected from something harmful
After recovering from the illness, she became immune to the virus, making the contrast between adaptability and inflexibility especially clear in practice.
Memory cueAn immune shield blocks a specific germ or harmful force.
07
resilientadjective
able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
Children are often more resilient than adults give them credit for, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueA resilient tree bends in the storm, survives, and rises upright again.
08
responsiveadjective
reacting quickly and positively to suggestions or influences
The customer service team was very responsive to our concerns, making the contrast between adaptability and inflexibility especially clear in practice.
Memory cueA responsive system receives a signal and immediately sends back a helpful answer.
09
rigidadjective
unable to bend or be forced out of shape
The rigid structure withstood the storm, making the contrast between adaptability and inflexibility especially clear in practice.
Memory cueA rigid rod stays straight and cannot be bent.
10
stubbornadjective
having or showing dogged determination
His stubborn resistance frustrated everyone, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueA stubborn figure grips one position and refuses to move.
11
versatileadjective
able to adapt to many different functions
The versatile tool had multiple uses, revealing how readily the plan could respond when the surrounding conditions changed.
Memory cueA versatile tool unfolds into many forms for different functions.
12
yieldingadjective
giving way under pressure
The yielding material absorbed impacts, showing whether the people involved could adjust their approach without losing sight of the goal.
Memory cueA yielding cushion gives way when pressure presses down.
