Meaning of insurmountable

[Mili]

Test No. incompl/advan-2 "Spin Doctors", question 8

Unfortunately she has been given an ......... task.

(a) insurmountable
(b) undeveloped
(c) inoperable
(d) unsolved

Test No. incompl/advan-2 "Spin Doctors", answer 8

Unfortunately she has been given an insurmountable task.

Correct answer: (a) insurmountable
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I'd like tao know what insurmountable means and in what cases can be used

[Alan]

This means literally impossible to climb over and in this cae it describes a task/job that is almost impossible to complete.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story French or English?

[Guest]

Why not 'an inoperable task'?

[Mister Micawber]

The adjective is not applicable to tasks, Guest.

Inoperable: 1. Not functioning; inoperative. 2. Unsuitable for a surgical procedure: an inoperable tumor.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber