ASVAB CampConnotation and Precision flashcards
8 cards with the formulas, rules and traps from this lesson. Answer in your head, then flip to check.
Rule · 1/8
What four dimensions must an exact synonym match?
Tone (positive, negative or neutral), degree (equal strength), register (same level of formality) and context (fits this sentence). Failing any one makes it only a near-synonym.
Term · 2/8
What is register in word choice?
The level of formality a word belongs to: commence is formal, begin neutral, kick off informal; technical (torque) and literary (steed) are other registers. Meaning comes first; register breaks ties.
Fact · 3/8
Periodic vs. intermittent vs. sporadic: how do they differ?
Periodic: recurring at regular intervals. Intermittent: on and off, starting and stopping, with no regular pattern required. Sporadic: irregular and scattered, here and there. Constant: without stopping.
Fact · 4/8
Possible, plausible, probable, certain: how do they rank?
Rising confidence: possible (could be true), plausible (believable on its face, not confirmed), probable (more likely than not), certain (beyond doubt).
Fact · 5/8
Explicit vs. tacit approval: what is the difference?
Explicit approval is stated clearly, aloud or in writing. Tacit approval is understood or implied without being spoken, such as silently allowing a practice. Tacit does not mean written or enthusiastic.
Common trap · 6/8
Why is it a mistake to confuse intensity with evaluation?
Intensity is how strong a word is; evaluation is whether it praises or criticizes. Ecstatic is intense and positive; petulant is mild in strength yet clearly negative. Check them separately.
Common trap · 7/8
What is the 'most dramatic answer' trap?
An extreme choice (impossible, ruined, furious) placed beside a measured one. Unless the context shows an extreme situation, pick the word that matches the evidence: onerous, not impossible.
Common trap · 8/8
Why is 'grueling' wrong as a synonym for 'exhausted'? (state, cause and effect)
Exhausted names a state; grueling describes the task that causes it, and rested is a later result. The answer must describe the same thing (feeling, cause or outcome) as the tested word.