Perspicuous: meaning and SAT practice

Perspicuous (adjective) means: Clear and easy to understand; expressed in a way that is transparent.

Perspicuous in a sentence

The teacher's perspicuous explanation of the math problem helped all students grasp the concept.

Similar: clear, lucid, plain, transparent. Opposite: obscure, confusing.

SAT-style practice: what does “perspicuous” most nearly mean?

The teacher's perspicuous explanation of the math problem helped all students grasp the concept.

As used in the sentence, “perspicuous” most nearly means

  1. intermittent
  2. clear
  3. watchful
  4. resistant
Show the answer

Answer: B. “perspicuous” means: Clear and easy to understand; expressed in a way that is transparent. “clear” is the closest match in this sentence. The other choices are real SAT-level words, but none of them carries that meaning here.

On the digital SAT this is the “Words in Context” skill, about 7 of the 54 Reading and Writing questions. The test asks what a word means as used in the passage, so a word’s most common meaning is not always the answer. More of these, with full explanations, are on SAT Words in Context practice questions.

  • austere: Severe, strict, and without decoration or luxury.
  • intransigent: Unwilling to compromise or change one's position on something.
  • laconic: Using very few words.
  • obdurate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
  • obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change opinion or course.
  • acrid: Having a bitter, unpleasant smell or taste.

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