In the following question, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the word “Naive”.

Introduction:
Synonym questions evaluate a learner's understanding of word meanings and subtle differences in connotation. The adjective naive is widely used in spoken and written English to describe a person who is simple, innocent, or lacking experience of the world. Selecting the closest meaning helps improve reading comprehension, especially in passages that comment on human behaviour, literature, and social situations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Target word: Naive. - Four options: Sarcastic, Artful, Skeptical, Ingenuous. - Exactly one option must capture the idea of innocence and lack of worldly experience. - The other options express very different attitudes.

Concept / Approach:
Naive typically means innocent, simple, or lacking in sophistication and worldly wisdom. It can be slightly critical but often also carries a sense of purity. The word ingenuous has a very similar meaning, referring to a person who is honest, open, and free from deceit, often because of simplicity. In contrast, sarcastic involves sharp, mocking remarks, artful suggests cleverness and sometimes trickery, and skeptical indicates doubt and distrust. These do not match naive.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that naive describes a person who is simple, innocent, or not experienced in dealing with complex situations. Step 2: Examine ingenuous and remember that it means innocent, frank, and free of deceit, often due to simplicity. Step 3: Recognise that sarcastic means using irony to mock, which is almost the opposite of naive. Step 4: Note that artful and skeptical both suggest a level of cleverness or doubt, again contradicting the simplicity implied in naive. Step 5: Choose ingenuous as the best synonym.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider sentences such as She is still naive about city life and He gave an ingenuous smile. Both describe people who are sincere and not sophisticated in social games. If we try replacing naive with sarcastic or skeptical, the meaning changes completely. Therefore, ingenuous is the only option that preserves the original sense.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sarcastic describes cutting humour or speech intended to hurt or mock, which is not innocent. Artful means clever, often with an element of deceit or skillful trickery. Skeptical refers to a questioning or doubtful attitude, the opposite of trusting innocence. Because naive suggests trustfulness rather than cunning or doubt, these options are incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse ingenuous with ingenious. Ingenious means very clever or inventive and is not a synonym of naive. Paying attention to spelling and learning words in clusters of meaning can prevent such confusion. Regular reading of good quality texts also exposes learners to these words in natural contexts.

Final Answer:
Ingenuous is the correct synonym for the word naive in this question.