In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the informal noun "fuddy-duddy".

Introduction / Context:
This item tests understanding of a colourful informal noun from English. "Fuddy-duddy" is often used to describe a particular type of person, especially in informal conversation and humorous writing. You must choose the description that most accurately matches the usual meaning of this word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Word: "fuddy-duddy".
• Option A: an ill mannered person that one accepts willingly because he or she is a very dear friend.
• Option B: a person who is very old-fashioned and pompous.
• Option C: a shoddy work.
• Option D: a very confusing situation.
• We assume standard informal British and American English usage.

Concept / Approach:
"Fuddy-duddy" refers to someone who is extremely conservative, old fashioned or narrow minded, often fussy and pompous about rules and traditions. It does not describe rudeness, poor quality of work or a confusing situation. Therefore, only the option that mentions a very old fashioned and pompous person matches the correct sense of this informal noun.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the typical description of a fuddy-duddy. It is usually an older person who complains that new ideas or fashions are wrong and insists on doing things in an outdated way.Step 2: Examine option B, "a person who is very old-fashioned and pompous". This fits the standard dictionary meaning very well.Step 3: Check option A, which talks about an ill mannered but dear friend. This suggests bad manners but it does not capture the strong sense of being old-fashioned and fussy about convention.Step 4: Check option C, "a shoddy work". This shifts the focus away from a person to a piece of work, which does not match the part of speech, since "fuddy-duddy" refers to a person.Step 5: Check option D, "a very confusing situation". Again, this is about a situation, not a person, and it has no link to old fashioned attitudes.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a natural example: "Do not be such a fuddy-duddy, try this new app." Here the speaker is telling someone not to behave in an excessively conservative or outdated way. Replacing "fuddy-duddy" with "shoddy work" or "confusing situation" would make no sense. The only interpretation that works across various contexts is that of an old-fashioned, narrow minded person, as described in option B.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A introduces ill manners but not the key idea of being stuck in the past. Option C changes the noun type from person to work, and option D changes it to a situation. None of those match the meaning or normal usage of "fuddy-duddy".

Common Pitfalls:
Because "fuddy-duddy" sounds playful and unusual, some learners guess based only on sound. However, in vocabulary questions you must rely on actual meaning. Reading novels, essays and opinion pieces where such informal words appear can help build a strong sense of how they are used in real contexts.

Final Answer:
The expression "fuddy-duddy" refers to a person who is very old-fashioned and pompous, so option B is correct.