What stage follows a red giant in the life cycle of a star similar to our Sun?

A red giant represents a late stage in the life cycle of a star like our Sun, which undergoes changes as it exhausts the hydrogen fuel in its core. Once a star enters the red giant phase, it will eventually shed its outer layers, leading to the formation of a planetary nebula. The core that remains after this shedding is what becomes a white dwarf.

A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has completed the red giant phase, and it's primarily composed of carbon and oxygen. It no longer undergoes thermonuclear fusion and will gradually cool over time, eventually becoming a cold, dark object.

The other stages mentioned in the choices are not relevant for a star like our Sun. A neutron star is the end stage for more massive stars that undergo supernova explosions, while the concepts of red supergiants and black holes apply to different kinds of stellar evolution that are beyond that of a sun-like star. Thus, the most accurate following stage for a red giant in the life cycle of a star similar to our Sun is indeed a white dwarf.