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 10 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Abundance & Scarcity guide.
01
abundantadjective
existing in large quantities; plentiful
The region has abundant natural resources, revealing the balance between what people needed and what they could actually obtain.
Memory cueAn abundant harvest fills many baskets and still leaves more.
02
ampleadjective
enough or more than enough; plentiful
There was ample time to complete the project, giving the planners a clearer picture of which resources were available and which remained limited.
Memory cueAn ample supply rises comfortably above the line marked ENOUGH.
03
availableadjective
ready for use or accessible
The product will be available in stores starting next month, giving the planners a clearer picture of which resources were available and which remained limited.
Memory cueAn empty chair marked AVAILABLE is ready for someone to use.
04
depletedverb
used up or exhausted the supply of
Years of overfishing have depleted the ocean's fish populations, revealing the balance between what people needed and what they could actually obtain.
Memory cueA depleted battery shows zero bars because its supply has been used up.
05
drainedverb/adjective
depleted of energy or resources; emptied of liquid
After the marathon, she felt completely drained of all energy, giving the planners a clearer picture of which resources were available and which remained limited.
Memory cueAn empty cup and a zero-bar battery are both drained of their contents or energy.
06
emptyadjective
containing nothing; without value or meaning
The empty room echoed with every footstep, helping the group judge whether the available supply could meet the expected demand.
Memory cueAn empty box opens to reveal nothing inside and nothing of value.
07
fertileadjective
capable of producing abundantly
The fertile soil produced excellent crops, revealing the balance between what people needed and what they could actually obtain.
Memory cueFertile soil sends up abundant plants from every seed.
08
fulladjective
containing as much as possible; complete
The auditorium was full of enthusiastic supporters, helping the group judge whether the available supply could meet the expected demand.
Memory cueA full cup reaches the brim and cannot contain anything more.
09
lackingadjective
not having enough of something; deficient in
The proposal was lacking in specific details about implementation, helping the group judge whether the available supply could meet the expected demand.
Memory cueA container below the required line is lacking what it needs.
10
saturatedadjective
thoroughly soaked; holding as much water or moisture as possible
The ground was saturated after days of heavy rain, giving the planners a clearer picture of which resources were available and which remained limited.
Memory cueA saturated sponge drips because it already holds all the water possible.
