Border Patrol Practice Exam

What type of connotation does the word "seldom" have?

1. Positive

2. Neutral

3. Negative

4. Affirmative

The correct answer is: Negative

The word "seldom" carries a negative connotation. It typically suggests infrequency or rarity in occurrence, implying that something does not happen often, which can be perceived as undesirable or unfavorable in certain contexts. For example, if someone states that they "seldom see their friends," it may evoke a sense of loneliness or lack of social interaction, which is not a positive situation. In contrast, the word itself does not have a neutral or affirmative connotation because it inherently refers to a lack of frequency, which often has implications of absence or missed opportunities. Positive connotations would generally describe something favorable or beneficial, which "seldom" does not align with. Therefore, "seldom" is most accurately understood as having a negative connotation.