Which term indicates gradually slowing down the tempo?

• A. Ritardando
• B. Rallentando
• C. Accelerando
• D. Largo

Answer: (A)

Gradual tempo changes are shown with markings that tell you to slow down in a controlled way. Ritardando indicates a progressive decrease in tempo, so the music slows down gradually as you move through the passage. You’ll often see it written as ritardando (sometimes abbreviated rit.), signaling that the tempo should ease down over the notes that follow. Rallentando is a closely related term with a similar idea—often used interchangeably in practice—but ritardando is the standard label for a deliberate, steady slowdown. Accelerando is the opposite, speeding up, while Largo is a general directive for a very slow tempo, not a gradual change within a section. So the term that indicates gradually slowing the tempo is ritardando.