Tone Words That Appear Frequently on the English AP Exam – Summer Vocabulary
Study these terms for tests that will be administered when you return from summer vacation. You will test over
groups A, B, C, and D during the first week of school.
Group A:
acerbic – assertively sarcastic; unkind
condescending -- belittling
enthusiastic -- motivated
laudatory -- generously praising
resigned -- accepting an undesired situation
Group C:
Agitated -- angry
bemused-- confused
facetious—not serious
mocking -- ridiculing
restrained—reserved; holding back
Group E:
apologetic -- remorseful
contemptuous -- hateful
flippant – lacking respect
nostalgic -- remembering with fondness
sarcastic-- mocking
Group G:
argumentative -- contentious
conversational -- casual; colloquial
giddy – silly; impulsive
ominous -- foreboding; haunting
satiric -- sarcastic
Group I:
benevolent -- giving; friendly
defamatory -- insulting
harsh -- critical
patronizing – arrogant; belittling
sentimental -- emotional
Group K:
callous -- lacking sympathy
detached -- not involved; distant
humorous -- light-hearted
pedantic -- too much focus on unimportant
details
smug – snobby; conceited
Group B:
ambivalent – having mixed feelings
confident -- empowered
exultant -- triumphant
lugubrious -- extremely sad
respectful-- gracious
Group D:
anxious -- worried
contemplative – pondering; considering
fanciful-- complex
moralistic -- ethical
reverent—deeply respectful
Group F:
apprehensive -- unsure
contentious -- engaging with anger
frivolous -- impractical; foolish
objective -- without bias
sardonic -- bitterly sarcastic
Group H:
bantering -- ridiculing
cynical – skeptical; unbelieving
guarded – cautious; safe
passionate – highly emotional; suffering
scornful – possessing anger
Group J:
bitter -- angry; indignant
despairing -- lacking hope
horrific -- gruesome
peaceful -- calm; easy-going
skeptical -- lacking trust
Group L:
candid -- honest
didactic -- instructional
indifferent -- lacking interest
pejorative -- belittling
somber -- sorrowful
Group M:
capricious – given to sudden behavior change
diffident -- shy; reluctant
indignant -- angry because of injustice
poignant -- painfully sad
strident -- harsh
Group N:
immature -- childish
disappointed -- dissatisfied
inflammatory -- angering; provocative
pretentious -- conceited
sympathetic -- caringly interested

Group O:
clinical -- impersonally analytical
disdainful -- despising
ironic -- double-meaning; opposite of what is
stated
provocative -- insulting or stimulating
taunting -- tormenting; offending
Group P:
compassionate -- sympathetically
understanding
dramatic -- sensational
irreverent -- lacking respect
reflective -- pondering; seriously
remembering
trenchant – bitingly critical

Group Q: Group R:
complimentary -- praising concerned -- deeply interested
effusive -- overflowing; gushing elegiac -- sorrowful
jesting -- joking joyful -- blissful
reminiscent -- reflective; nostalgic remorseful -- penitent; sorry for wrong-doing
urgent -- pressing; compelling vibrant -- lively

Group S:
conciliatory -- democratic; forgiving
empathetic -- understanding; conceding
languorous -- unhurried; laid-back
resentful -- bitterly unforgiving
whimsical -- capricious; erratic; mercurial