Final answer:
The word with the same vowel sound as the 'o' in 'topple' is 'gobble.' This short 'o' sound is consistent with the pronunciation patterns of similar words, distinguishing it from other options which have different vowel qualities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that has the same vowel sound as the o in the word topple is gobble (option 3). This is because both words contain a short o sound, exemplified by words like pop, stop, and bob. This is opposed to the other options, where trouble has a different vowel quality, poodle has a long oo sound, and people has an entirely different vowel sound represented by the digraph eo.
Understanding vowel sounds can be helpful in identifying patterns and pronunciation in English. For instance, wall fits the pattern of a short o sound, but in extended forms like wallow or wallop, the pattern can change, affecting the pronunciation of the vowel.