The refinement of the telescope's lens over two centuries allowed astronomers to observe increasingly distant galaxies.
两个世纪以来望远镜镜片的改进使天文学家能够观测到越来越遥远的星系。
Which choice best defines “refinement”?
A — The process of improving something. “refinement” means the process of improving something.
Which word means “the process of improving something”?
D — refinement. “refinement” means the process of improving something.
refinement — the process of improving something. In Chinese: 改进，精炼.
refinement is pronounced /rɪˈfaɪnmənt/.
The refinement of the telescope's lens over two centuries allowed astronomers to observe increasingly distant galaxies. (两个世纪以来望远镜镜片的改进使天文学家能够观测到越来越遥远的星系。)
improvement, polish, enhancement — all close in meaning to refinement (the process of improving something).
deterioration, coarseness — each the opposite of refinement (the process of improving something).
Yes. refinement 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.