Meaning: 'Major' means significant or important, indicating that natural language understanding is a key goal in AI research.

Wrong options:

• profit: 'Profit' is a noun that refers to financial gain, which does not relate to the context of AI research goals.
• unnecessary: 'Unnecessary' is an adjective that implies something is not needed, which contradicts the idea of a goal in research.
• sense: 'Sense' is a noun that refers to understanding or perception, which does not fit as a descriptor for a goal.
• sizeable: 'Sizeable' is an adjective that indicates something is large in size, which does not appropriately describe the nature of a goal.

Correct answer: sense

Explanation: The word 'sense' serves as a noun that refers to the ability to comprehend or interpret information. It fits grammatically as it is the object of the verb 'make' and contextually aligns with the idea of understanding news stories and other written content.

Meaning: 'Sense' means the ability to understand or make meaning of something, particularly in the context of language.

Wrong options:

• profit: 'Profit' is a noun related to financial gain, which does not fit the context of understanding language.
• unnecessary: 'Unnecessary' is an adjective that suggests something is not needed, which does not fit as an object of 'make.'
• major: 'Major' is an adjective that describes significance, but it does not function as a noun in this context.
• sizeable: 'Sizeable' is an adjective that refers to a large amount, which does not fit as an object of the verb 'make.'

Correct answer: futile

Explanation: The term 'futile' is an adjective that describes an action that is pointless or ineffective. It fits grammatically as it describes the approach taken by researchers and contextually conveys the idea that the effort was in vain.

Meaning: 'Futile' means incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.

Wrong options:

• profit: 'Profit' is a noun that does not relate to the effectiveness of an approach in research.
• unnecessary: 'Unnecessary' is an adjective that implies something is not needed, which does not accurately describe the nature of the approach taken.
• sense: 'Sense' is a noun that refers to understanding, which does not fit as a descriptor for the approach.
• sizeable: 'Sizeable' is an adjective that indicates a large amount, which does not apply to the effectiveness of an approach.