PSAT 8/9 vocabulary: similarity and difference.

surrounded by; in the company of

She was among the first to arrive at the conference, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueOne red marble surrounded by blue marbles sits among them.

joined or connected to something

Please review the documents attached to this email, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueA paper clip keeps two sheets attached: physically joined and connected.

joined together to form a single unit

The combined efforts of the team led to success, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueTwo puzzle pieces click together and become one unit: they are combined.

occurring frequently; shared by many

It is common for students to feel nervous before exams, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueA common room is shared by many; common events also appear frequently.

acting or done in the same way over time; unchanging

Her consistent performance earned her a promotion, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA metronome keeps the same beat over time; that dependable sameness is consistent.

analogous or equivalent in character

Each number has a corresponding letter, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueCorresponding parts occupy matching positions and share equivalent roles.

far away in space or time; not closely related; reserved in manner

The distant mountains were barely visible through the morning fog, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueA distant mountain needs a telescope; a distant person keeps a closed gate between relationships.

recognizably different; clearly separate or unique (also: recognizably different in nature)

Each region has its own distinct culture and traditions, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueOne bright shape separated from the others is distinct: clearly different and recognizable.

showing great variety; including people of different types

The city is known for its diverse population and multicultural neighborhoods, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA diverse garden contains a wide variety of colors, shapes, and species.

equal in value, function, or meaning

The two qualifications are equivalent, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueEquivalent items balance equally in value, function, or meaning.

things that serve as models or illustrations; instances

The teacher provided several examples to clarify the concept, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueExamples are concrete sample cards that show what a general idea looks like.

exactly alike

The twins looked identical, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity for everyone involved.

Memory cueIdentical twins match exactly in every visible detail.

free from outside control; self-reliant and not dependent on others

She valued her independent lifestyle and made her own decisions, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueAn independent figure cuts its control strings and stands on its own feet.

to correspond or be equal to something; to pair appropriately

The curtains match the carpet perfectly in both color and pattern, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueMatching pieces align as equals and click into their appropriate pair.

new and original; not like anything seen before (also: new or unusual in an interesting way)

The scientist proposed a novel approach to solving the energy crisis, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA novel idea steps out of a box stamped NEW and ORIGINAL.

with no special or distinctive features; normal

It seemed like an ordinary day until the surprise party began, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueAn ordinary object stands in an unmarked row with no special feature.

present from the beginning; creative and not copied

The artist is known for her original style of painting, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueThe original carries both FIRST and NOT COPIED stamps.

similar or corresponding

The parallel stories shared common themes, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueParallel lines travel side by side like similar, corresponding ideas.

specific or individual; especially great or intense

She has a particular talent for solving complex puzzles, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueA particular item is the one specific object circled out of the group.

belonging to or affecting a particular individual

He keeps his personal life separate from his professional work, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueA PERSONAL name tag marks what belongs to or affects one particular individual.

to make or show a connection between; to feel sympathy or identify with

Many teenagers can relate to the struggles depicted in the film, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueRelate two ideas by drawing a connection line; relate to a person by sharing their feeling.

typical of a class or group; a person chosen to act or speak for others

The survey results are representative of the general population, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA representative sample resembles its group; a representative person speaks for that group.

a sequence of actions regularly followed; performed as part of a regular procedure

Exercise has become part of her daily routine, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA routine follows the same circular sequence of actions each day.

resembling without being identical; having characteristics in common

The two paintings are similar in style but different in subject, helping the audience distinguish superficial likeness from meaningful similarity.

Memory cueSimilar twins share many features but wear one small difference.

remaining the same in all cases; consistent and unchanging

The company implemented uniform policies across all its branches, giving observers a more precise basis for comparing the two subjects.

Memory cueA uniform row repeats the same shape and color without change.

incorporating a number of different types

The menu offered varied options, making the important points of resemblance and contrast easier to identify.

Memory cueA varied collection includes many different types, colors, and forms.