My dual mandate is to help my APUSH and SAT students and Substack subscribers prepare for their upcoming tests. Today’s Winning Word is VINDICATE. Hopefully students will ace both tests thus VINDICATING and proving that this approach works. Here goes!
APUSH
During the 1950s, most marine biologists accepted the prevailing view hailing DDT and other synthetic chemical pesticides as miracle tools to eradicate mosquitoes and other harmful insect pests. However, an American marine biologist named Rachael Carson conducted research indicating that DDT and other chemicals were in fact having an inimical effect upon the nation’s wildlife.
The chemical industry responded to Carson’s findings by launching a massive, well-funded campaign designed to undermine her credibility. For example, industry spokesmen attacked Carson as a “hysterical spinster” whose flawed research would return American agriculture to the “Dark Ages.”
The chemical industry’s campaign backfired by arousing public interest in Carson’s findings. President Kennedy responded by ordering a science advisory committee to investigate Carson’s claims. The report VINDICATED Carson! Her book Silent Spring subsequently led to the birth of the modern environmental movement.
SAT
SAT test writers are aware that the word VINDICATE confuses many students. One online poster wrote, “I put VINDICATE because I thought it meant indicate.” Another student confused VINDICATE with VINDICTIVE. Although the two words sound similar, they have very different meanings. VINDICTIVE means disposed to seek revenge while VINDICATE means shown or proven to be right.
VINDICATE – to be proven correct especially after prior doubt or criticism