The attempt by the robbers to break into the bank was futile.

Step 1: Analyze the question The underlined word is futile. We need the option closest in meaning to it. The sentence says the robbers' attempt to break into the bank was futile.

Step 2: Explain the concept Futile (adjective) means incapable of producing any useful result; pointless or unsuccessful. It comes from the Latin futilis, meaning "leaking" or "useless". Think of pouring water into a basket with holes: all that effort achieves nothing.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. successful: This is the opposite of futile. If the attempt succeeded, it would not be futile.
• B. expensive: This is about cost and has nothing to do with the result of an attempt.
• C. hostile: This means unfriendly or aggressive. It describes attitude, not outcome.
• D. fruitless: This means producing no results, which matches futile closely. "Fruit" stands for results, so "fruitless" means "without results".

Step 4: Check by substitution "The attempt by the robbers to break into the bank was fruitless" means they failed to get in. The sentence keeps the same meaning.

Answer: D. fruitless

Exam tip: For synonym questions, first decide whether the word is positive or negative. Futile is negative (failure), so you can immediately eliminate "successful". Also remember the pair futile = fruitless = vain = useless. They often appear together in JAMB, WASSCE and NECO.