An eighth grader named marianne consistently refuses to do difficult classroom assignments because she's afraid of failing at them. which one of the basic needs described in the textbook is marianne most clearly trying to address

The answer is "her need for competence".

Need for competence implies the want to control and ace the earth and result. We need to know how things will turn out and what the outcomes are of our actions. Competence advances the quest for testing and profoundly fulfilling encounters and is a foundation for mental development and prosperity.