Question

which of the following is a formal definition of proximity?
nearness and closeness are synonyms of proximity.
proximity, which is a noun that means closeness in space or time, is worth a lot of points in scrabble if you can manage to spell it.
the thieves stopped before they got too close to the bank vault, afraid the proximity alarm would go off.
financial planning changes with your proximity to retirement; as retirement nears, you should shift to low - risk investments.

Explanation:

A formal definition should explain the term's meaning precisely. The first option uses synonyms (nearness, closeness) to define proximity, which is a formal way. The second option includes irrelevant info (Scrabble points). The third and fourth are examples, not definitions.

Answer:

A. Nearness and closeness are synonyms of proximity.