In this vocabulary question on synonyms, select the word that is closest in meaning to the verb dare in the sense used in standard English.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of synonyms, specifically for the verb dare. In English, to dare someone often means to challenge that person to do something difficult, risky, or bold. The candidate must choose the option that best captures this core meaning. The distractors include words that describe opposite actions, such as hesitation or retreat, which must be eliminated.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is dare, used as a verb.
• The general sense is to challenge someone to attempt something.
• The options offered are challenge, hesitate, obey, retreat, and avoid.
• Only one option should match the meaning of dare closely.

Concept / Approach:
When we say I dare you to do this, we are essentially challenging someone to perform an action, often under social pressure or as a test of courage. Therefore, a good synonym would be challenge. The other words describe very different actions. Hesitate means to pause because of uncertainty. Obey means to follow a command. Retreat means to move back or withdraw. Avoid means to stay away from something. None of these share the core sense of encouraging or provoking an action.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall common expressions like I dare you to jump or She did not dare to speak, which show that dare is linked with courage and challenge. Step 2: Compare this with the meaning of challenge: to invite someone to enter a contest or to call someone to prove their ability or courage. Step 3: Note that when you dare someone, you effectively challenge them to prove their bravery. Step 4: Examine hesitate, which is to pause or delay because of fear or indecision, which is more or less the opposite of daring action. Step 5: Examine obey, retreat, and avoid, all of which involve compliance, withdrawal, or staying away, none of which express the idea of encouraging risk.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try replacing dare with each option in a simple sentence. In I dare you to try this, replacing dare with challenge gives I challenge you to try this, which fits well. But I hesitate you to try this is incorrect, as is I obey you to try this or I retreat you to try this. This replacement test confirms that challenge is the true synonym in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b, hesitate, describes uncertainty and delay rather than boldness. Option c, obey, means to follow orders and shows submission, not challenge. Option d, retreat, refers to moving back physically or withdrawing from a situation. Option e, avoid, indicates staying away or not facing something. All of these meanings conflict with the active and provocative sense of dare.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse dare with fear based words like hesitate because both appear in contexts involving risk. However, dare pushes a person toward action, while hesitation pulls them away. Another pitfall is to think of dare only in the reflexive sense of not daring to do something, and then incorrectly link it with avoid. Remember that in many exam questions, the verb is understood in the pattern dare someone, which is clearly related to challenge.

Final Answer:
The word that is closest in meaning to dare in this context is challenge, so option a is correct.