Which verbal operant might involve a child saying 'apple' when they see an apple?

The correct answer is 'tacts' because this verbal operant involves a person providing a label for something they see. When a child sees an apple and says 'apple', they are using a tact to describe an object in their environment. Tacting typically occurs when individuals observe a stimulus and then comment on it, sharing their observations or descriptions with others.

In the case of the other options, 'mands' involve requests or demands, where the speaker is asking for something they want or need. 'Listener responding' focuses on a listener's behavior in response to verbal directions or prompts, such as following an instruction. 'Imitation' refers to the act of copying someone else's behavior, typically without initiating it themselves. Thus, in this scenario, saying 'apple' in response to seeing an apple fits perfectly within the definition of a tact.