The archaeologist understood the ancient inscription as a record of a long-forgotten trade route.
考古学家将古代铭文理解为一条被遗忘已久的贸易路线的记录。
Which choice best defines “understood”?
B — Past tense of understand; comprehended. “understood” means past tense of understand; comprehended.
Which word means “past tense of understand; comprehended”?
D — understood. “understood” means past tense of understand; comprehended.
understood — past tense of understand; comprehended. In Chinese: 理解（过去式）.
understood is pronounced /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/.
The archaeologist understood the ancient inscription as a record of a long-forgotten trade route. (考古学家将古代铭文理解为一条被遗忘已久的贸易路线的记录。)
comprehended, grasped, perceived — all close in meaning to understood (past tense of understand; comprehended).
misunderstood, misconstrued — each the opposite of understood (past tense of understand; comprehended).
Yes. understood 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.