Question

suppose we ride over and take a look at the spot. he smiled at her little shudder of repugnance. we havent any sherlock holmes in this country, and maybe we need one. ill have a try at it. come on!
in response to the pressure of his knees, the trained cow-pony whirled toward the jack-pines, and dorothy followed, laughing at the idea that so ingenuous a man as lem trowbridge might possess the analytical gift of the trained detective.
you! she said mockingly, when she had caught up with him. youre as transparent as glass; not that it isnt nice to be that way, but still you are. besides, the rain weve had must have washed all tracks away.
no doubt, but well have a look anyhow. it wont do any harm. seriously, though, the ways of criminals have always interested me. id rather read a good detective story than any other sort of yarn.
(from hidden gold by wilder anthony)

which does ingenuous most likely mean in this passage?

1. cunning and manipulative
2. straightforward and simple
3. sophisticated and worldly
4. dependable and trustworthy

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "ingenuous", we analyze the context. The line "You're as transparent as glass; not that it isn't nice to be that way, but still you are" and the idea that Lem Trowbridge lacks the analytical gift of a detective suggest he is simple and straightforward. Option 1 (cunning) is opposite, option 3 (sophisticated) is also opposite, and option 4 (dependable) doesn't fit the context of being transparent/simple. So "ingenuous" here means straightforward and simple.

Answer:

1. straightforward and simple