Which statement correctly initializes a variable in C++?

The statement that correctly initializes a variable in C++ is the one that assigns a specific value to a variable at the point of declaration. In this case, the option stating int x = 5; is correct because it not only declares a variable named x of type int, but it also initializes it by assigning the value of 5 to it.

Initialization is a critical concept in programming, particularly in C++, as it ensures that the variable is assigned a value when it is declared. This prevents the use of uninitialized variables that can lead to undefined behavior in a program.

The other choices do not perform initialization correctly. The choice that states int x = ; lacks a value after the equal sign, making it syntactically incorrect. The one that states int x; declares a variable but does not initialize it, leaving its value undefined. The option int x == 5; is incorrect as well since it uses the equality operator == which is meant for comparison, rather than assignment. Therefore, only the option int x = 5; correctly fulfills both the declaration and initialization of the variable.