The discovery of ancient trade routes provided the impetus for a new archaeological expedition across the desert.
古代贸易路线的发现为穿越沙漠的新考古探险提供了动力。
Which choice best defines “impetus”?
B — A driving force or motivation behind an action.. “impetus” means a driving force or motivation behind an action..
Which word means “a driving force or motivation behind an action.”?
C — impetus. “impetus” means a driving force or motivation behind an action..
impetus — a driving force or motivation behind an action.. In Chinese: 动力，推动力.
impetus is pronounced /ˈɪmpɪtəs/.
The discovery of ancient trade routes provided the impetus for a new archaeological expedition across the desert. (古代贸易路线的发现为穿越沙漠的新考古探险提供了动力。)
incentive, spur, stimulus — all close in meaning to impetus (a driving force or motivation behind an action.).
deterrent, hindrance — each the opposite of impetus (a driving force or motivation behind an action.).
Yes. impetus is on the SAT Prep Difficult list — the higher-register words that decide the hard questions. 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.
im-(enter) + pet-(seek) → the force to enter pursuit → impetus, momentum.