Final answer:
In the dark, you would generally choose to light a lantern, as it provides the most stable and bright source of light compared to a match or candle, and unlike a flashlight, it doesn't require batteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
If faced with the choice of lighting a match, a lantern, a candle, or using a flashlight in the dark, it would depend on the context, but generally, you would choose to light the lantern. The original question might be confusing because it mixes practical actions with choices that aren't directly comparable. Initially, you would need to light the match to then light the candle or lantern. However, if all options were somehow readily available in a functional state, the lantern usually provides the most stable and enduring light source, thus being the preferred choice for visibility and safety. A lantern's light is less likely to be extinguished by wind or movement compared to a candle's flame, and it typically offers a brighter and broader area of illumination than a small candle. In the provided information discussing spectrometers and electromagnetic radiation viewing, while interesting, it is not directly related to the decision of lighting a match, a lantern, a candle, or using a flashlight; thus, it does not influence the decision of which light source to choose.