alone vs lonesome

[Mr Replie]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", question 10

Mr Redding didn't like to be ......... at meals.

(a) lonesome
(b) single
(c) alone
(d) solitary

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", answer 10

Mr Redding didn't like to be alone at meals.

Correct answer: (c) alone

Your answer was: incorrect
Mr Redding didn't like to be lonesome at meals.
_________________________

why can't I use lonesome?

please explain it to me

thanks very much!
Mr Replie

[Mister Micawber]

.
It's not logically that someone would be lonesome only at meals. Loneliness is an affliction that we cannot so easily control.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber