Updated with more memory tips, expanded review exercises, and an alphabetical word index, the new edition of this popular vocabulary-building book presents and defines more than 365 words that frequently appear on SAT exams. The book is divided into 35 lessons, each lesson consisting of a word cluster. Each cluster contains words that have similar meanings or apply to similar circumstances. For instance, students encounter the words conciliate, mediate, and mitigate, and learn how they have different meanings that can sometimes be confused. A review exercise follows every five lessons with questions that closely reflect those found on the actual SAT.

Several new practice exercises and short tests make this third edition of "Hot Words" better than ever. The book is filled with words that students are likely to encounter when they take the SAT I or any one of many other verbal skills tests. Over 350 touch words are presented with definitions, sample sentences, and explanations of word origins.

Larry Krieger is a renowned author and educator whose books and workshops have helped thousands of students achieve outstanding scores on the SAT. Larry has long recognized that students do not need to memorize dictionary-like lists of vocabulary words. As the author of the first three editions of the Direct Hits vocabulary books Larry pioneered the technique of using pop culture to illustrate difficult SAT words. The Essential 500 Words takes Larry's innovative techniques to a new level. Larry provides students with a variety of illustrative examples that include pop culture, student anecdotes, and Insider tips drawn from actual test examples. In addition, Larry also shows students how to use their vocabulary to answer both sentence completion and passage-based questions. The result is a unique book that will help students achieve high critical reading scores.Here is a brief summary of The Essential 500 Words' key features:47 chapters devoted to defining and illustrating SAT vocabulary words6 chapters devoted to answering sentence completion questions6 chapters devoted to answering passage-based questionsAn Appendix that contains the Top 30 SAT roots

Updated and expanded to reflect the vocabulary and format of the current SAT’s Critical Reading section, Hot Words for the SAT presents and defines more than 365 words that frequently appear on SAT exams. The book is divided into 35 lessons, each consisting of dozens of illustrative sentences and a thematic word cluster. Each cluster contains words having similar meanings or words that apply to similar circumstances. Also included are new pronunciation keys for each word, memory tips, expanded review exercises following every five lessons, and an alphabetical word index. College-bound students who successfully complete the book’s exercises and master these words will expand their lifelong vocabulary and improve their chance for acceptance at the school of their choice.