55 words the Digital SAT draws on when a passage turns to cause and effect — each with its part of speech, a plain-English definition, and an example sentence showing how it behaves in context.
Vocabulary on the Digital SAT is tested in context, not in isolation: a Words in Context question hands you a sentence with a blank and four plausible-looking candidates, and the winner is the one whose shade of meaning fits. Studying words in a meaning-group like this one is the fastest way to build that discrimination — you learn cause and effect as a spectrum rather than as 55 unrelated definitions.
Read the definition, then the example sentence. Say the word aloud. Come back to this theme a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 55 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Cause & Effect guide.
001
accidentaladjective
happening by chance or without intention
The discovery of penicillin was largely accidental.
002
antecedentnoun
a thing that existed before or precedes another
The antecedent events explained the current situation.
003
attractverb
to draw interest or attention toward something
Bright colors attract bees to the flowers in the garden.
004
avertverb
to prevent or ward off
Swift action averted the disaster.
005
catalystnoun
a person or thing that precipitates change
The protest was a catalyst for reform.
006
causenoun
something that produces an effect or result
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.
007
coincidencenoun
a remarkable occurrence of events happening at the same time by chance
It was a coincidence that they both arrived at the same moment.
008
consequencenoun
a result or effect of an action
The consequences of the decision were severe.
009
contingentadjective
dependent on certain conditions being met
The deal is contingent upon board approval.
010
createverb
to bring something into existence
The artist hopes to create a sculpture for the new park.
011
createdverb
brought into existence
The new software created opportunities for remote collaboration.
012
creatingverb
bringing something into existence
She spent months creating the intricate tapestry.
013
culminateverb
to reach a climax or point of highest development
Years of work culminated in success.
014
dependedverb
relied on for support or maintenance
The success of the project depended on the cooperation of all team members.
015
derivedverb
obtained or developed from a source or origin
Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek roots.
016
elicitverb
to evoke or draw out a response
The question elicited an unexpected answer.
017
emanateverb
to issue or spread out from a source
Light emanated from the window.
018
engenderverb
to cause or give rise to
The policy engendered widespread resentment.
019
engenderingverb
causing or giving rise to a feeling or situation
The new policies are engendering a sense of hope among employees.
020
establishesverb
sets up on a permanent or official basis; proves or demonstrates
The treaty establishes clear guidelines for international cooperation.
021
forestallverb
to prevent or obstruct by taking advance action
Quick action forestalled a larger crisis.
022
galvanizeverb
to shock or excite into taking action
The tragedy galvanized the community.
023
inadvertentlyadverb
without intention; accidentally
She inadvertently revealed the surprise party plans.
024
incentivesnoun
things that motivate or encourage someone to do something
The company offered financial incentives to boost employee productivity.
025
inciteverb
to encourage or stir up violent behavior
The speech incited the crowd to riot.
026
inhibitverb
to hinder or restrain an action
Fear can inhibit creative thinking.
027
inspirationaladjective
providing motivation or encouragement; uplifting
Her inspirational speech moved the audience to tears.
028
inspireverb
to fill someone with the urge to do something creative or meaningful
Great teachers inspire their students to reach their full potential.
029
inspiredadjective
filled with creative motivation; guided by a divine or extraordinary influence
The inspired artist created a masterpiece in a single night.
030
instigateverb
to bring about or initiate
He was accused of instigating the riot.
031
intentionaladjective
done on purpose; deliberate
The error appeared to be intentional rather than accidental.
032
invokeverb
to cite or appeal to as authority
The lawyer invoked the Fifth Amendment.
033
involuntarilyadverb
without conscious control or intention; done against one's will
She involuntarily flinched when the balloon popped.
034
makesverb
causes something to exist, happen, or be done; creates or produces
She makes her own bread every weekend using a traditional family recipe.
035
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.
036
originateverb
to have one's origin in a specified place or situation
Many English words originate from Latin and Greek roots.
037
originatesverb
has its origin or beginning in a particular place or source
The river originates in the mountains and flows to the sea.
038
paralyzeverb
to render unable to move or act
Fear paralyzed her into inaction.
039
precipitateverb
to cause to happen suddenly or prematurely
The scandal precipitated his resignation.
040
precludeverb
to prevent from happening
The injury precluded him from competing.
041
precursorsnoun
things that come before and indicate the approach of something else
Early symptoms can be precursors to more serious illness.
042
producedverb
made or manufactured; created or brought into existence
The factory produced thousands of units each day.
043
producesverb
makes or manufactures; creates or generates
This region produces some of the finest wines in the world.
044
propagateverb
to spread and promote widely
The internet helped propagate the idea.
045
provokeverb
to stimulate or give rise to a reaction
His remarks provoked an angry response.
046
provokesverb
stimulates or incites a reaction or emotion
The controversial artwork provokes strong reactions from viewers.
047
ramificationnoun
a consequence of an action or event
The ramifications of the decision were far-reaching.
048
reactverb
to respond or behave in a particular way in response to something
How did your parents react when you told them the news?
049
sourcenoun/verb
a place, person, or thing from which something originates
The journalist refused to reveal her source.
050
spawnverb
to cause something to develop
The book spawned numerous adaptations.
051
stemverb
to stop or restrict the flow of
Measures were taken to stem the spread.
052
stimulatedverb
encouraged or aroused interest or enthusiasm; increased activity in
The discussion stimulated new ideas among the team members.
053
triggerverb
to cause an event or situation to happen
The comment triggered a heated debate.
054
unintendedadjective
not planned or meant; accidental
The new policy had several unintended consequences that needed to be addressed.
055
yieldverb
to produce or provide; to give way to pressure or demands
The fertile soil will yield an abundant harvest this season.
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