Final answer:
The correct answer is 4) talking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is 4) talking.
In this sentence, the verb form 'avoided' requires an object. The object should be in the form of a gerund, which is a verb ending in '-ing' used as a noun. Among the given options, only 'talking' is a gerund. Therefore, Mark avoided talking to the talkative person