Hello, 2nd option is correct. In context, here are the meanings and examples to clarify your doubt: i. Descent - the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality. : a person's ancestors Example: She is of Korean descent. ii. Descendant - someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past. Example: She's a descendant of Charles Darwin.

The correct word is 'descent'. 'Descent' is an abstract noun, referring to someone's background or origins in terms of family, nationality or ethnicity. 'Descendent' is wrong in this context. A descendent - more usually written as 'descendant' - is a particular person: your descendents are your grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and so on.

Thanks for your advice, though it isn’t my composition. I wrote it down from one of the university’s exams.

Hello, Emu. I believe Su has answered your question.