Nelson-Denny Practice Test

Which of the following describes something that is "futile"?

1. Successful

2. Profitable

3. Fruitless

4. Effective

The correct answer is: Fruitless

The term "futile" refers to efforts or actions that are ineffective and do not achieve any meaningful result or significant outcome. It captures the essence of attempting something but ultimately leading to no success or benefit, thus being fruitless. When describing something as futile, it implies that despite any effort made, the outcome is not worthwhile or does not produce the desired result. In contrast, the other options relate to positive outcomes: "successful," "profitable," and "effective," all suggest that an action yields good results or achieves goals, which directly opposes the meaning of futile. Therefore, "fruitless" accurately aligns with the definition by conveying the sense of effort that leads to no productive outcome.