The obstinate boy soon met his waterloo when the war broke out.

Step 1: Analyze the question You're asked for the word closest in meaning to the underlined word, which here is obstinate, as used in the sentence: "The obstinate boy soon met his waterloo when the war broke out."

Step 2: Explain the concept Obstinate means refusing to change your opinion or behaviour, even when given good reasons to do so. It describes someone who is firm in their ways and won't yield. Its synonyms include stubborn, headstrong, unyielding and pigheaded.

(Side note: "met his waterloo" is an idiom meaning he suffered a final, decisive defeat, named after Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. It isn't the underlined word here, but knowing it helps you understand the sentence.)

Step 3: Check each option

• A. proud: This means having self-respect or feeling superior. A person can be proud without being unwilling to change their mind, so it isn't the same thing.
• B. stubborn: This means determined not to change one's mind or course of action. It matches obstinate almost exactly.
• C. careless: This means not paying attention. It has no connection to obstinacy.
• D. rude: This means impolite. A person can be obstinate and still be polite, so it doesn't fit.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. stubborn.

Tip: For synonym questions, replace the underlined word with each option and see whether the sentence keeps its meaning. "The stubborn boy soon met his waterloo" works perfectly. Also remember the trio obstinate = stubborn = headstrong, since they appear often in WASSCE and JAMB lexis questions.