Kameron is the granddaughter of one of my high school classmates. The picture on the left features Kameron enjoying a moment of pure joy on the beach. The picture on the right features the sloping tile roof and picturesque façade of the Mission San Jose in Freemont, California. What could these two images possibly have in common?
Here’s the surprising answer: Both Kameron and Mission San Jose illustrate the difficult SAT vocabulary word PALPABLE. PALPABLE means visible and thus easily recognized. You know PALPABLE when you see it. Kameron is clearly experiencing a moment of PALPABLE joy as she seems to be walking on sunshine. The architectural features of the Mission San Jose illustrate the PALPABLE influence of Spanish contributions to California architecture.
Unfortunately, Kameron will not be featured in an SAT vocabulary in context question. But the PALPABLE influences of Spanish architecture in California has made frequent appearances on difficult Module 2 questions.
PALPABLE – visible and easily recognized; a tangible presence