Question

Descent is a noun, related
to the verb descend, which
means “come down.”
Descent is the opposite
of ascent, which means
“upward movement; rise.”
Explain what you think
Twain means by “the Descent
of Man from the Higher
Animals.”

Answer 1

so they tell you what "descent" means ---> the opposite of ascent, so descent means something like "downward movement" or "falling"

try to consider what this means in the context of “the Descent of Man from the Higher Animals.” Do you think he means a literal falling? or a metaphorical falling?