Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, and Age - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

The word "mature" or "maturity" are used to describe the character traits that come to something as it ages. In some ways, we talk about "mature" people, but in others, we can talk about "mature" fruits or cheese—cheese or fruits that have "come of age" and are now usesful. A number of the options try to trick you into choosing an answer based merely on age. Remember, though, maturity does not necessarily come with age. For example, you might know someone who is twenty years older than you but who never does any work and always relies upon other people. We would be quite wrong to call such a person mature.

Certainly, we can talk about "emotional maturity," which is a type of maturity. Someone who always gets angry or moody is probably not very emotionally mature. However, another general meaning for "mature" is "dependable." A mature person is someone who accepts responsibilities and can be depended upon to follow through on promises. This is the best option among those options given.

Something that happens “frequently” happens often, so "frequent" means "often." The word “pesky” means troublesome, like “a pesky wasp”; and “frantic” means hurried or rushed due to being very worried about something.

"Annual" comes from the Latin word for year, so it makes sense that "annual" means happening yearly. This means that "yearly" is the correct answer. Something that happens “biweekly” happens every two weeks, as the prefix "bi-" means two, and "timely" means well-timed and convenient.

When something is rapid, it moves quickly. Although this kind of movement might make for a "short time" or a "tiny amount of time," these kinds of expressions are not quite correct as synonyms. The word "rapid" has to deal with swiftness of speed. Thus, the word "quick" is the best option among those given.

When we describe someone's action as being "prompt," we are saying that it is speedy or quick. Perhaps you have heard your parents say that the service at a restaurant or store is "prompt." This means that it is quick and without delay. The word "rapid" means "quick," so it is the best option for a synonym.

You almost certainly know that the movement of a snake is called "slithering." While this kind of movement is not "crawling" in the way that a human baby crawls, it is a slow movement that is very close to the ground. For this reason, "crawl" can be an acceptable synonym. Since there are no better options, this is the correct choice for this question.

Whenever something is temporary, it exists only for a limited amount of time. For example, if there is a temporary increase of school work, this means that the work is only going to be increased for a limited period of time. Another example of something "temporary" would be a particular food item that is only available during a particular time of the year. It is only available temporarily. Such things are only around for a brief time, so the adverb "briefly" is a good synonym.

The correct answer is "speedy," or in a quick manner, as "swift" means occurring or moving very quickly. "Slow" is an opposite of "swift" and "dance" is not related in meaning to "swift" at all. While to "run" does mean to move quickly, "run" is a verb and "swift" is an adjective, so their meanings are very different.

Something that is "chronic" continues for a long time. "Continual" is a synonym of "chronic." "Time" is not as good a choice because it refers to the general concept of time and not any length of time. "Old" also does not work here because it means great in age and does not refer to an ongoing process like the words "chronic" and "continual" do.

"Intermediate" means in the middle or in-between, so _t_he best choice is "in-between" which also means in the middle . Don't confuse the word "meddle," which means to interfere, with the word "middle."

The word "sluggish" means slow or lazy. "Slow" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "sluggish." Considering the other choices, "stiff" means rigid . While it may seem related, the word "sluggish" describes some sort of motion, though very little, while "stiff" does not. "Active" is an antonym of the word "sluggish." "Slug" is only related because sluggish means slug-like, as in as slow as a slug.

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

Primitive means having to do with the early history of the world or of humanity, or simple and relatively undeveloped. "Ancient" means extremely old, so "ancient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "primitive."

Seldom means rarely or not often happening, so "rarely" is the correct answer. To help you, "impressive" means demanding notice, striking, or great.

"Nimble" means quick and agile. "Agile" is the best choice because it means easily able to move quickly and is part of the definition of "nimble." Considering the other choices, "robotic" means acting in an unchanging and unemotional manner, like a robot, "correct" means right or true , and "indifferent" means not caring.

"Idle" means unmoving or not active. "Stationary" is the best choice because it also means unmoving. Considering the other choices, "hidden" means not in plain sight, "deter" means restrain from doing, and "vex" means anger or annoy.

"Timely" is defined as done or occurring at a favorable or useful time. The best answer choice is "convenient," which means fitting in well with a person's schedule.

"Inevitable" means unable to be avoided or definitely bound to happen. "Unavoidable" is therefore the word choice that matches the definition. "Unpredictable," "unpleasant," and "incredible" are all unrelated to the definition.

Instantaneous means instant or occurring without any delay whatsoever. "Immediate" is the best answer choice because it also means instant.

"Wizened" means dry, shrunken, and wrinkled due to being old, so "gnarled," an adjective that means twisted and rough due to age, is the correct answer.