Ascent vs Assent
ascent
a climb/rise
assent
agreement/approval
How to tell them apart
asCent = a Climb (C for Climb up a Cliff). asSent = you Say yeS, you agree.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
The mountaineers began their arduous before dawn, hoping to reach the summit before the afternoon storms rolled in.
Choose: ascent or assent
Show answer
Answer: ascent
"mountaineers" and "reach the summit" mark a climb = ascent; assent (agreement) is wrong.
Question 2
The board withheld its until the auditors confirmed that the merger complied fully with every applicable financial regulation.
Choose: ascent or assent
Show answer
Answer: assent
a board withholding approval pending confirmation = assent; ascent (a climb) makes no sense in a boardroom context.
Dig deeper
Never mix up ascent and assent again
Learn 1,000+ GRE words through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.