This question likely seems very easy, and it basically can be. Just don't be tricked by its seeming ease. The word "boring" is very familiar. Therefore, go through the answers eliminating them word by word. Something that is "regular" might be boring, but not everything that is boring is regular. Something very new and unexpected can also be boring. "Academic" and "scholarly" things are often boring, but this is not a definition of what it is to be boring. These is just descriptions of things that sometimes might be boring. "Annoying" is not a good synonym, as it describes something else—once again, some boring things might be annoying, but "to be annoying" means something different than "to be boring." Therefore, the best option is "tedious," which means "dull and repetitive," which implies being boring much more than do the other options.

The word "impoverished" literally means "in-poverty" or in the state of poverty. To "impoverish" someone is to make that person to be poor. The "-ed" form indicates that this is a passive participle, meaning that it is an adjective describing someone to whom the action of "impoverishing" has occurred. To be "impoverished" therefore means to be made poor or merely to be poor.

When something is dismal such as a dismal day, it means that it is bleak or desolate.

The word "extinct" refers to species of living things and means no longer existing or gone. "Gone" is the best choice because it is part of the definiton of "extinct."

When a process is "automated," it is done by a machine instead of by a human. "Mechanized" also refers to procedures that are completed by machines. If you have trouble remembering these words, just think about how a machine (a similar word that you likely know) is automatic. "Personalized" has a very different meaning; it means changed to fit an individual's unique needs. "Bland" means tasteless, and "reckless" means careless or willing to do dangerous things without worrying about the consequences.

Residual means left over or left behind. For example, I noticed some residual dirt on some of the dishes when I was taking them out of the dishwasher.

"Unexpected" is an adjective that means not expected. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "unexpected" is "surprising," an adjective that means unexpected. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "unexpected": "gradual" means slowly taking place; "bold" means confident and courageous; and "brash" means assertive in a rude way.

"Destructive" means causing damage. Ruinous also means disastrous or causing damage, so "ruinous" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "considerable" means noticeable due to large size or amount, "brief" means short or quick, a "frontier" is a border between two countries, and to "boast" means to talk about yourself and your achievements with pride.

"Damaging" means harmful or causing damage. To further help you, "considerate" means thoughtful about other people’s feelings; "inconsiderate" means unkind and not caring; "applicable" means able to be applied to or relevant. 

When we say that something is "in peril" or "imperiled," that thing is in a state of great danger or risk. The word "perilous" is the adjective that describes such a state ("a perilous situation"). Perilous situations are likely to be very frightening or even terrifying. However, these words really indicate what perilous things emotionally cause. They do not describe what it is to be perilous. "To be perilous" means to be very dangerous. Therefore, the best option is "hazardous." A "hazard" is a danger or a source of danger. "Hazardous" describes something that is dangerous.