Question

instructions
read the question carefully and select the best answer.
which meaning of futile most closely matches its meaning in the following excerpt?
mind - set can affect the quality and longevity of personal relationships as well, through people’s willingness—or unwillingness—to deal with difficulties. those with a fixed mind - set are less likely than those with a growth mind - set to broach problems in their relationships and to try to solve them, according to a 2006 study i conducted with psychologist lara kammrath, now at wake forest university. after all, if you think that human personality traits are more or less fixed, relationship repair seems largely futile. individuals who believe people can change and grow, however, are more confident that confronting concerns in their relationships will lead to resolutions.
a. adjective | ineffective
b. adjective | stagnant
c. adjective | growth
d. adjective | unimportant

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "futile" in the excerpt, we analyze the context. The sentence says relationship repair "seems largely futile" for those with fixed personality traits, but those who believe people can change are more confident it leads to resolution. "Ineffective" means not producing the desired result, which matches the idea that relationship repair wouldn't work (be ineffective) for fixed - trait people. "Stagnant" means not changing or growing, which doesn't fit the context of relationship repair. "Growth" is a noun, not an adjective meaning related to "futile". "Unimportant" means lacking significance, which is not the same as not working. So "ineffective" is the best match.

Answer:

A. adjective | ineffective