What does 'impending' describe?

The term 'impending' is used to describe something that is imminent or likely to happen in the near future. It suggests that an event or situation is approaching and will occur soon, which aligns precisely with the provided answer. For example, if a storm is described as impending, it means that the storm is on its way and will arrive shortly.

In contrast, the other options refer to different temporal states. Something that has already occurred indicates that the event is in the past, and thus does not fit with the notion of anticipation that 'impending' implies. Similarly, being completely finished also suggests a conclusion rather than an upcoming event. Furthermore, having passed without any notice means that the event has already occurred and gone unnoticed, which again does not align with the forward-looking sense of 'impending.' Therefore, describing something as 'impending' clearly points to the likelihood of it occurring very soon.