OK, quick – what does the word CORRESPONDENCE mean? Most people would define CORRESPONDENCE as an exchange of written messages such as letters or emails. But – and this is an important but – CORRESPONDENCE also has a secondary meaning as a close match, agreement, or correlation.
We have repeatedly seen that SAT test writers have a strong predilection for using secondary meanings of common words like CORRESPONDENCE. For example, in one study a climatologist found a strong CORRESPONDENCE between her computer model and the actual outside temperatures.
The message is clear: don’t immediately dismiss CORRESPONDENCE as a correct answer. Be alert for its secondary meaning as a close similarity!
CORRESPONDENCE – a close similarity, match, or correlation