PSAT 8/9 vocabulary: size and scale.

a quantity or sum of something

The amount of rainfall this year exceeded all expectations, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cuePour everything into a measuring cup; the final quantity is the amount.

closely and neatly packed together

The compact design saved space, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueA compact bundle packs every part tightly into little space.

made up of multiple parts; to make something worse

The compound interest on the loan added up quickly, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueA compound joins multiple blocks; as a verb, it adds another block to make a problem worse.

determining the total number of something

The staff spent hours counting the ballots after the election, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueCounting places one tally mark beside every object to determine the total.

to increase in size, number, or importance; to unfold or spread out

The company plans to expand its operations into new markets, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueAn accordion expands as its sides spread outward and its size increases.

made longer in duration or scope; stretched out

The deadline was extended by two weeks due to unforeseen circumstances, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueAn extended ruler or timeline stretches farther and lasts longer than before.

covering a large area; having a wide scope or range

The library has an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueAn extensive map unfolds across a huge area and covers a wide range.

belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned

He picked up his coat and headed toward the door, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueAttach a HIS ownership tag to the object belonging to the male person already mentioned.

extremely large or great

The immense desert stretched endlessly, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueAn immense ocean stretches beyond every visible edge.

becomes or makes greater in size, amount, or degree

The demand for electric vehicles increases every year, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueAn upward arrow shows that size, amount, or degree increases.

limitless or endless in space or time

The universe may be infinite in extent, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueAn infinite road continues beyond every horizon without limit.

restricted in size, amount, or extent; not unlimited (also: restricted in size or amount)

We have limited time to complete this project, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueA limited supply stays inside a small fence marked ONLY THIS MUCH.

extremely small

Only minute traces were detected, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueA minute detail is so tiny that a lens must enlarge it.

average in amount, intensity, or degree; not extreme

She follows a moderate exercise routine to maintain her health, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueModerate rests at the middle of a dial, away from either extreme.

to make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size

We need to reduce our expenses to stay within budget, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueTurn the amount dial downward to reduce size, quantity, or degree.

made smaller or less in amount, degree, or size

The store offered items at reduced prices during the sale, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueA downward arrow shows the amount was reduced and made smaller.

limited in extent, number, or scope; not open to everyone

Access to the building is restricted to authorized personnel, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueA restricted area sits behind a fence marked LIMITED ACCESS.

the relative size or extent of something; a system of measurement

The disaster was on a scale never seen before, giving observers a clearer basis for judging its extent or relation to the larger whole.

Memory cueA scale compares relative size and marks measured positions along a system.

of considerable importance, size, or worth; solidly built

The company made a substantial investment in new technology, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueA substantial block is large, solid, valuable, and too important to ignore.

relating to or affecting all people or things in the world; applicable everywhere

The desire for happiness seems to be a universal human trait, making the scale or scope of the subject easier to understand through comparison.

Memory cueA universal rule wraps around the entire globe and applies everywhere.

of very great extent or quantity

The vast ocean seemed endless, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueA vast plain extends across an enormous distance and quantity.

found or distributed over a large area or among many people

The disease caused widespread concern among health officials, helping the audience recognize how much of the larger subject it represented.

Memory cueA widespread color covers the whole map and reaches many people.