1. SAT Words 22-26 Root 5

2. 22. auspicious The cars were not selling well, not a particularly auspicious start for a special edition.

3. auspicious (aw-SPIH-shuss) adjective Sounds like: our space shoes Picture… two astronauts just landing on the planet Neptune. Looking out the window of their spaceship, they see that they are surrounded by a frozen lake. In order to accomplish their mission, they must cross the ice and return to the spaceship quickly. One astronaut thinks it’s going to be very difficult. The other pulls out two pairs of special boots fitted with large ice skate blades. “This will be easy,” he says. Then, gesturing to the boots, “Our space shoes!” Other forms: auspiciousness (noun); auspiciously (adv.) Definition: taking place under promising conditions; likely to succeed

4. 23. austere The pies' dark crusts have an irredeemably doughy chew, and their filling is austere beef without a hint of spice.

5. austere (aw-STEER) adjective Sounds like: our steer Picture… a rancher giving a tour of his ranch: “And this is our steer. He lives in this simple barn, eats plain dry grass, and frowns a lot. We’re not sure why.” Other forms: austerity (noun); austerely (adverb) Definition: stern; plain; without luxuries

6. 24. averse Investors these days are averse to risky emerging- market government debt.

7. averse (ah-VERSE) adjective Looks exactly like: a verse Picture… a young boy running from the classroom, screaming “Poetry! I can’t listen to poetry! Not even a verse!” (Averse sounds a little like reverse, so also think of a person going in reverse to avoid something.) Note: Don’t confuse with “adverse,” which means unfavorable. Strong rains may produce adverse conditions for golf. A golfer may be averse to playing in the rain. Definition: feeling repelled; wanting to avoid

8. 25. banal This should have been a thriller but instead is totally banal.

9. banal (ba-NAHL) adjective Looks like: ban Al Picture… a club’s members wanting to keep Al from joining. “I say we ban Al,” says one. “He’s too boring.” Other form: banality (noun) Definition: boring; trite; insipid

10. 26. benediction There was a time when this place breathed actual benedictions and was a home of active peace.

11. benediction (ben-neh-DIK-shun) noun Sounds like: Benedict shine Picture… Benedict, who always says good and encouraging things to people, so that they walk away from him shining with happiness. Note: Any word beginning with the prefix “bene-” has a positive meaning, and usually refers to a good result (or benefit). Definition: good wishes; a blessing

12. Root 5: fal, fall, fals, fail, fault Yes, employees are getting more and more brazen in their efforts to falsify employers' drug tests.

13. fal, fall, fals, fail, fault Meaning: false, mistake, fail Sample words: falsify, fallible, default, fallacy