Commentary:

Answer

(3) Zero work must be done. Students will likely become entangled in
the sign of the work as well as the interpretation of the requirement to
“reverse its direction”. The most defensible answer after (3) is (2).
Some students may confuse the sign of the work, Students who choose (2)
or (4) have career potential as a lawyer.

Background

This is an excellent problem for engaging students in a discussion of
work and energy. A mass traveling in the opposite direction with the
same speed would have the same kinetic energy. The work-kinetic energy
theorem then states that no net work need be done on the mass. The
work-kinetic energy theorem also resolves any ambiguity in the sign of
the work if the mass is just brought to rest.

Questions to Reveal Student Reasoning

Draw a diagram indicating the direction of motion and the direction of
the force acting on the mass. What is the direction of the
displacement?

If the surface had friction and the mass just slid until it stopped, how
much work would the friction force do?

Suggestions

It is easy to demonstrate several situations for which an object
reverses its direction and no new work is done. All it requires is a
conservative force. For example, let a ball roll up an incline and then
back down. Or, allow a mass to encounter a spring. Or, have a marble
roll around a semicircular track. This latter case is interesting
because the force acting on the mass (Normal) does no work.