There is no vocabulary section on the SHSAT, but the better your vocabulary is, the better you'll do on the reading section.
Here's an article about Einstein's brain which asks the question: Was Einstein born a genius, or did he become a genius because of how his parents raised him and other factors in his environment? One researcher says Einstein's genius was the result of both factors - a brain with a complex anatomy and a super-enriched environment created by parents who valued education and creativity.
The article:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/11/why-einstein-was-a-genius.html
Vocabulary to help you understand the article:
a genius - the opposite term is a moron. You sometimes hear this term used by insensitive and irresponsible people as an insult: "You moron!" A genius is someone with a very high IQ (Intelligence Quotient). Apparently if you take 100 people randomly and give them a valid IQ test, about 16 will score high enough (on average) to be geniuses.
a stunning insight - insight means a special, deeper knowledge. Stunning means amazing, spectacular. You usually have an insight 'into' something. He has a great insight into his own emotions, motives and thoughts. or: She has a great insight into what makes great art.
preserved - saved in a special liquid.
convolutions - like little tunnels turning in different directions
a saga - a long story
executor - a legal representative who takes care of a person's affairs after the person dies
a pathologist - a type of doctor who focuses on diagnosing diseases
embedded in a resin-like substance - placed inside a substance that was similar to resin. Resin is a thick type of half-liquid and half-solid material. It is a light brown color.
a peer-reviewed publication - a journal or magazine in which other researchers in a field look over and approve articles before they are published.
scattered - spread all over the place
density of neurons - a greater thickness of brain cells
gross anatomy - larger or overall anatomy
to facilitate - to make something easier
perseverance - to keep going, not stopping when faced with an obstacle
expanded - larger
a metaphor - a symbol, a creative or visual way to think of something which can't be seen
subjective - the opposite of objective, if you are subjective you are basing your ideas or opinions on how you feel and not the 'facts.'
abstract - not concrete, not 'real' or substantial. If you are good at abstract thinking, you are good at coming up with new ideas or concepts.
predisposed him to be - if you are predisposed to do or be something, you are already likely to do it or ready to do it. If you are hungry, you are predisposed to eat. If your brain is more complex, you are predisposed to think about complex subjects.
nature or nurture - Is a person's personality due to nature or nurture? Nature means biology, chemistry and genetics - to nurture a child means to raise a child. So 'nurture' in this case means the environment. Are we born the way we become or are we products of our environment?
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