In the following question, choose the option that gives the word which is closest in meaning to the given English vocabulary word "CREDULOUS". The word "credulous" describes a person who believes things too easily and trusts other people without enough questioning.

Introduction:
This vocabulary question asks you to find the synonym, or word with a similar meaning, for the adjective "credulous". Synonym questions are common in competitive exams because they measure how accurately you understand fine differences between related words. Knowing the exact sense of "credulous" helps you avoid confusion between words like "innocent", "silly", and "gullible".

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The target word is "credulous".
- Four options are provided: FUNNY, SILLY, INNOCENT, and GULLIBLE.
- Only one option should have a meaning that closely matches "credulous".
- We assume standard modern English usage as found in good dictionaries and exam syllabi.

Concept / Approach:
"Credulous" refers to a person who is too ready to believe what others say, especially without sufficient evidence. Such a person is easily convinced and may be cheated because of excessive trust. The closest everyday word for this idea is "gullible". Although "innocent" and "silly" can describe naive people, they are not exact matches. The approach is to define each option clearly and then compare it with the definition of "credulous".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "credulous" means too ready to believe, or showing a tendency to believe things that may not be true.Step 2: Examine "gullible". A gullible person is easily tricked because they believe what they are told without enough questioning.Step 3: Compare "gullible" with "credulous" and see that both describe people who accept things too easily.Step 4: Look at "innocent". It mainly means free from guilt or wrongdoing, and only indirectly suggests lack of worldly experience.Step 5: Look at "funny" and "silly". These are about humour or foolish behaviour, not specifically about believing others too easily.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by consulting a good dictionary or vocabulary book. Most sources will connect "credulous" directly with "gullible". In exam oriented vocabulary lists, these two words are often grouped together. Another check is to use the words in a sentence, for example, "The credulous customer believed every claim made by the salesman" and "The gullible customer believed every claim made by the salesman". Both sentences feel natural and very close in meaning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, FUNNY, means amusing or causing laughter, which has nothing to do with belief or trust. Option B, SILLY, means foolish or lacking good sense, and although a credulous person may sometimes act silly, the main idea of belief is missing. Option C, INNOCENT, mainly refers to someone not guilty or free from moral wrong, and only occasionally implies lack of experience. None of these capture the idea of being too ready to believe others. Only option D, GULLIBLE, directly matches that meaning.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often pick INNOCENT because both "innocent" and "credulous" can suggest a simple or naive nature. However, exams usually look for the word that shares the central, not just a side, meaning. Another trap is to choose SILLY because credulous people can be fooled, but again, silliness is about poor judgement in general, not specifically about belief. To succeed in such questions, always focus on the core definition rather than on loose associations.

Final Answer:
The word that is closest in meaning to "credulous" is GULLIBLE.