In English vocabulary, select the option that gives the closest synonym of the word 'obstreperous' used for a noisy, difficult-to-control person.

Introduction / Context:
The word 'obstreperous' is often used in English to describe people, especially children or crowds, who are noisy, difficult to control, or unruly. Vocabulary questions like this require you to match that meaning with the closest synonym among the options. This tests not only your knowledge of individual word meanings but also your ability to distinguish between words that relate to noise and liveliness and those that describe quietness or shyness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Target word: 'obstreperous'.
Options: boisterous, bashful, reticent, taciturn.
We assume the usual dictionary meaning: noisy and difficult to control.
We must identify the option that is closest in meaning to this sense.

Concept / Approach:
'Obstreperous' combines the idea of loud noise with resistance to control or discipline. A group of obstreperous students, for example, is loud, disruptive, and unwilling to behave. 'Boisterous' describes people or behaviour that is noisy, energetic, and cheerful, sometimes borderline rowdy. The other three words describe quiet, reserved, or shy behaviour. Thus, the general direction of meaning is enough to separate one option from the others, even if you do not know the exact shades of each word.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of 'obstreperous': noisy, loud, and difficult to control or manage. Step 2: Examine 'boisterous': it describes noisy, energetic, and exuberant behaviour, especially in lively children or crowds. This is clearly close to 'obstreperous'. Step 3: Examine 'bashful': it means shy or easily embarrassed, the opposite of loud or unruly behaviour. Step 4: Examine 'reticent': it means reserved, unwilling to speak freely, or quiet about one's thoughts. Step 5: Examine 'taciturn': it refers to someone who habitually speaks very little and is uncommunicative. Step 6: Conclude that 'boisterous' is the only word that shares the noisy, lively, and sometimes troublesome quality of 'obstreperous'.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, imagine sentences where 'obstreperous' appears and see if 'boisterous' fits naturally. For example, 'The obstreperous children ran around the classroom shouting' becomes 'The boisterous children ran around the classroom shouting', and the meaning remains similar. Replacing 'obstreperous' with 'bashful', 'reticent', or 'taciturn' would completely change the meaning and make the sentence absurd, because shy or very quiet children do not normally run around shouting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
'Bashful' expresses shyness and mild embarrassment, almost the opposite of noisy unruliness. 'Reticent' describes a person who is reluctant to talk or reveal their thoughts, focusing on silence, not noise. 'Taciturn' similarly means someone is habitually silent or uncommunicative. None of these words convey noise, resistance, or unruly behaviour, so they cannot serve as synonyms for 'obstreperous'.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to rely only on the 'difficult' sound of words without knowing their meanings. Because 'obstreperous' sounds complicated, students might guess another formal-sounding word like 'reticent' or 'taciturn'. However, good vocabulary preparation involves connecting each word with a clear mental image: 'obstreperous' and 'boisterous' both suggest a noisy, rowdy scene, while 'bashful', 'reticent', and 'taciturn' suggest quietness. Building such mental pictures reduces confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The correct synonym of 'obstreperous' is 'boisterous'.