Problem solving is an active effort to attain a goal that is __________.

Problem solving involves working toward a goal that cannot be reached immediately or automatically; it requires effort to overcome an obstacle or find a solution. Therefore, the goal is “not readily attainable.” A goal that is impossible to solve would not be an appropriate target for problem solving, while an easily attainable goal requires little or no problem-solving effort.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.