Final answer:
The phrase “to give wide berth to” means to stay away from. It implies avoiding things or people that are perceived as different or not understood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “to give wide berth to” as used in paragraph 4 most closely means A. To stay away from. In this context, the phrase suggests that people tend to avoid those who are different or not well understood, possibly because they perceive them as a threat or simply out of discomfort with the unfamiliar. The act of giving wide berth typically involves a deliberate choice to keep a safe or comfortable distance from something or someone.