Which of the following is an example of neglect?

Neglect refers to a failure to provide for a child's basic needs, which can include inadequate supervision, food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Among the options provided, leaving a child unsupervised is a direct form of neglect as it puts the child at risk without necessary care or oversight. Additionally, providing inadequate food constitutes neglect because it directly impacts the child's health and well-being by not meeting their nutritional needs.

Hitting a child is considered abuse rather than neglect, but the inclusion of this option highlights the broader context of child maltreatment. Since neglect encompasses both a lack of supervision and failure to provide essential needs like food, recognizing that all conditions mentioned lead to harm or risk to the child's safety and welfare completes the understanding of neglect as addressed in the best answer. Therefore, considering the overall context helps clarify that neglect can manifest in various forms, as indicated in the chosen response.