Which of the following winds generally blow from east to west near the equator?

The trade winds are predominant easterlies found near the equator, blowing from east to west. These winds are a result of the Earth's rotation and the differential heating of the Earth's surface. Near the equator, warm air rises, creating low pressure that draws in the cooler, denser air from the nearby areas, which predominantly come from the east. Thus, as this air moves toward the equator, it is deflected by the Coriolis effect, reinforcing the east-to-west wind pattern characteristic of the trade winds.

In contrast, other wind types like polar easterlies, prevailing westerlies, and the jet stream operate in different latitudes and directions. Polar easterlies occur at the poles and blow from east to west but are found at much higher latitudes. Prevailing westerlies dominate mid-latitude regions and blow from west to east. The jet stream, a fast-flowing air current in the atmosphere, generally moves from west to east at higher altitudes. Thus, the unique characteristics and mechanisms of the trade winds clearly identify them as the correct choice in this context.