Question

to draw an angle congruent to \\(\angle a\\), we begin \\(\underline{qquadqquadqquad}\\).\
\\(\bigcirc\\) by drawing an angle\
\\(\bigcirc\\) by drawing a point\
\\(\bigcirc\\) by drawing a line segment\
\\(\bigcirc\\) by drawing a ray with an endpoint

Explanation:

To construct an angle congruent to ∠A, the first step is to draw a ray with an endpoint. This ray will serve as one side of the new angle, and its endpoint will be the vertex of the new angle. Drawing an angle (first option) is what we aim to achieve, not the starting step. Drawing a point (second option) is too vague as a point alone doesn't define a side of an angle. Drawing a line segment (third option) has two endpoints and isn't suitable as the initial side of an angle (which needs one side to be a ray with one endpoint to extend later). So the correct starting step is drawing a ray with an endpoint.

Answer:

D. by drawing a ray with an endpoint