In the following question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom dead ringer.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of English idioms. Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from the literal sense of the words. The idiom here is dead ringer, which is commonly used in informal speech and writing. Understanding idioms is essential for scoring well in comprehension sections and for interpreting conversational English correctly.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The task is purely about idiomatic meaning.

The expression is dead ringer.
We assume it is used to describe a person in relation to someone else.
The options offer different possible interpretations, some related to competition or warning, others to similarity.

Concept / Approach:
In modern English, a dead ringer means a person or thing that looks exactly like another person or thing, almost indistinguishable in appearance. The word dead here intensifies the sense of completeness, just as in dead sure. Ringer, in this expression, refers to an exact likeness or substitute. Therefore, the correct option should capture the idea of a striking or exact resemblance, not a warning, competition, or surprise.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare the idiom to similar expressions in English. Phrases like spitting image or carbon copy also mean someone who looks extremely similar to another person. Dead ringer functions in the same way. If the idiom meant a pre decided competition or late warning, it would be used in contexts about contests or alerts, but that is not how it appears in natural usage. Looking up standard dictionary definitions of dead ringer confirms that it refers to a close or exact resemblance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a severe warning that is repeated many times does not match the typical context in which dead ringer is used; that idea would fit other idioms about warnings, not this one. Option a competition whose outcome is already decided in advance describes a fixed match, which is unrelated to physical resemblance. Option a person who pretends to be dead in order to escape danger sounds like a literal interpretation of dead and is misleading, since idioms often go beyond literal meanings. Option a completely unexpected event that takes people by surprise might describe a shock or bolt from the blue, but not a dead ringer. None of these capture the idea of someone who looks exactly like someone else.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the words dead and ringer can be interpreted literally, learners sometimes imagine stories about death and bells or warnings and choose options that fit those stories. However, idioms must be learned as complete units whose meanings are established by usage. Another pitfall is to guess based on which option sounds dramatic rather than which aligns with remembered usage. Regular reading and exposure to authentic English help fix idioms like dead ringer in memory so that their meanings are immediately clear in exam questions.

Final Answer:
The idiom dead ringer means an exact double or look alike of another person.