Which of the following is an example of an environmentally-driven antecedent?

An environmentally-driven antecedent refers to an external stimulus in the environment that influences behavior. In this context, the correct example is the loud noise prompting an individual to cover their ears. This scenario illustrates a clear interaction between an environmental factor (the loud noise) and the individual's subsequent behavior (covering ears) in response to that stimulus.

In applied behavior analysis, antecedents can significantly affect behavior, and those that are driven by the environment typically involve sensory input or situational contexts that elicit specific reactions.

Other choices present different kinds of antecedents; for instance, low motivation to engage in a task is more related to an individual's internal state rather than an external environmental factor. Similarly, a verbal prompt from a teacher is also a type of prompted stimulus, but it is not inherently driven by the environment in the same way a loud noise is. Lastly, an internal feeling of frustration is an internal state rather than an environmental antecedent, thus it does not fit the criteria of being environmentally driven.