SAT Vocabulary Express: Word Puzzles Designed to Decode the New SAT [Paperback]

Jacqueline Byrne (Author), Michael Ashley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071443266 | ISBN-13: 978-0071443265 | Publication Date: September 23, 2004 | Edition: 1

A fun way to build vocabulary and boost SAT scores

Word puzzles are a proven tool for building vocabulary. They nudge the puzzler gently toward shades of meaning, synonym recognition, contextual interpretation, and making educated guesses--all the mental tricks needed to do well on the SAT verbal section. In SAT Vocabulary Express, a top test-prep coach teams up with a leading crossword puzzle author to offer students a fun, effective alternative to standard vocabulary builders.

A unique learning tool for breaking the code in the SAT verbal section, this book features:

• Dozens of crosswords, anagrams, acrostics, cryptograms, and other fun, skill-building puzzles
• Brainteasers that stimulate vocabulary mastery
• Tips and techniques for using the puzzles to pump up vocabularies to unprecedented levels--painlessly!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Solve puzzles, play games--and improve your SAT score!

Memorizing words isn't a very effective way to ace your SATs--and let's be honest, it's not a lot of fun! To score well, you have to play with words--take words apart, understand their connotations, and spot the word games the test is playing with you. Now, with SAT Vocabulary Express, you can build these necessary skills, prepare for your exams, and have a great time doing it!

In this uniquely entertaining workbook, a test preparation expert and a crossword puzzle constructor join forces to help you crack the word code on the new SAT, improve your active vocabulary, and increase your score on any college admission test--all by playing games. From crosswords and anagram magic squares to quotation, word connection, and hidden meaning puzzles, you'll tackle unfamiliar words and spot the clues hidden in the most difficult exam questions. You'll also gain the tools you need to:

• Develop and use a powerful repertoire of words
• Dissect new words and understand their meanings
• Solve word problems quickly and easily
• Master decoding strategies you can apply to any college admission test

Challenge your mind and build your confidence with SAT Vocabulary Express--the perfect way to have a great time while you study for success!

About the Author

Jacqueline Byrne is a founding partner of Ivy Educational Associates, a test prep and college application consulting firm. She provides private tutoring for the verbal SAT, the SAT II Writing exam and the AP and SAT II Literature exams.

Michael Ashley's crossword puzzles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal He has been a contributor to GAMES Magazine for 25 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071443266
• ISBN-13: 978-0071443265
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I love puns and games and word play of all sorts and I always have. So I consider myself more than lucky that I stumbled into the world of writing pencil puzzles, where I could put all those loves to use. I actually get to entertain people with my puzzles, make them think and laugh and, yes, even struggle a little from time to time, and I get a check in the mail as well. Amazing! Nowadays, considerably grayer but still impressively buff, I've published over a thousand puzzles and I have been contributing the regular acrostics feature to Games Magazine since 1978. My acrostics and crossword puzzles have also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, all 4 volumes of the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Puzzle Book series and other places too numerous to mention.

I lived nearly 20 years in Manhattan, New York, and have now lived with my wife and two children in Scottsdale, Arizona, since 1993. Besides being a maniacal online chess buff, in my spare time I dabble at another sport which, on my better days, strongly resembles golf.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In need of vocab help, October 31, 2004

By 

Allison (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SAT Vocabulary Express: Word Puzzles Designed to Decode the New SAT (Paperback)

What a great way for students to prepare for the SAT! Being a high school senior, I had no intentions on studying the dictionary to prepare for the SAT, and when I found this book I was relieved to know there was a fun way to study vocab. The authors of this book did a great job of providing a new, exciting way to prepare for the College Board exams. The puzzles and acrostics helped break down the words and figure out the meanings. I always feared the vocabulary on the SAT's but after reading this book (learning new words on top of learning great new methods) I have a new confidence for taking the SAT. I recommend "SAT Vocabulary Express" to anyone who plans on taking these tests in the future!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vocabulary Fun, September 10, 2005

By 

S. Chriswell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SAT Vocabulary Express: Word Puzzles Designed to Decode the New SAT (Paperback)

I am about to retake the SAT 12 years after high school, so that I can teach for Kaplan. I bought this book to help me study, after realizing that the vocabulary may be tougher than I imagined. Vocabulary Express is a great book (so far), and it makes an otherwise dry task much more interesting. I definitely recommend the book; I refrain from giving it 5 stars, however, due to a couple of faults:

1) There are some typos in the Anagram puzzles that necessitate looking up the answer in the back of the book. (Example: The word RUMBA is to be unscrambled in one puzzle, and the correct answer is URBAN. Thus, the 'M' should be an 'N'.

2) The instructions to the Word Within Word puzzles state that "each word must be at least four letters long". However, the book counted three letter words as correct and did not list (whether intentionally or unintentionally) all of the possible answers.

Despite the editing errors, I would still highly recommend this book as a great alternative to memorizing lists of vocabulary words.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and friendly, October 18, 2004

By 

Susan Spivack Graphic Design (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SAT Vocabulary Express: Word Puzzles Designed to Decode the New SAT (Paperback)

I bought this book for my two teenagers and was totally impressed by the clever techniques and the positive attitude. It feels as though you have a friendly coach at your side encouraging your every move. You're not going it alone. Thanks for the guidance and support.