快速答案
ascender 表示上升；acender 表示点燃或开灯。
可靠的方法是先判断这个词在句子里的功能，再翻译。
每个词的作用
ascender
to ascend or be promoted
Use ascender for moving upward in space, rank, status, or importance.
acender
to light or switch on
Use acender for starting a flame, light, or device, or making it glow.
如何选择
- ascender: Choose ascender if the sentence points to moving upward in space, rank, status, or importance.
- acender: Choose acender if the sentence points to starting a flame, light, or device, or making it glow.
例句
Ela ascendeu ao cargo de diretora.
She rose to the position of director.
O técnico acendeu a luz de emergência.
The technician switched on the emergency light.
常见误区
The noun ascensão belongs to advancement. The noun acendimento belongs to switching or lighting something.
放到语境中练习
从你的真实生活中选一个句子，写两遍：一次用 ascender，一次用 acender。如果两个版本都可以，说明意思怎样变化。