The desert's shimmering heat created the illusion of a distant lake, tempting thirsty travelers toward a nonexistent oasis.
沙漠中闪烁的热气制造出远方湖泊的幻觉，引诱口渴的旅人走向并不存在的绿洲。
Which choice best defines “illusion”?
D — A false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems. “illusion” means a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems.
Which word means “a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems”?
C — illusion. “illusion” means a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems.
illusion — a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems. In Chinese: 幻觉，错觉.
illusion is pronounced /ɪˈluːʒən/.
The desert's shimmering heat created the illusion of a distant lake, tempting thirsty travelers toward a nonexistent oasis. (沙漠中闪烁的热气制造出远方湖泊的幻觉，引诱口渴的旅人走向并不存在的绿洲。)
mirage, delusion, misperception — all close in meaning to illusion (a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems).
reality, truth — each the opposite of illusion (a false idea or belief; something that is not what it seems).
Yes. illusion 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.