The hot-air balloon's gradual descent allowed passengers to observe the patchwork of farmland and rivers below.
热气球逐渐下降，使乘客能够观察到下方农田和河流的拼图般的景象。
Which choice best defines “descent”?
A — Downward movement. “descent” means downward movement.
Which word means “downward movement”?
D — descent. “descent” means downward movement.
descent — downward movement. In Chinese: 下降.
descent is pronounced /dɪˈsent/.
The hot-air balloon's gradual descent allowed passengers to observe the patchwork of farmland and rivers below. (热气球逐渐下降，使乘客能够观察到下方农田和河流的拼图般的景象。)
decline, drop, fall — all close in meaning to descent (downward movement).
ascent, climb — each the opposite of descent (downward movement).
Yes. descent is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.
de(down)+scent(climb)