💡 Detailed Explanation
The correct answer is '凌ぎ' (shinogi). '凌ぐ' means to get through or overcome a difficult situation, such as hunger, cold, or danger, often with some effort or resourcefulness. It is the most idiomatic choice for 'staving off hunger'. '耐え' (tae) from '耐える' means 'to endure', which is close, but '凌ぐ' implies more actively managing to get past the hardship. '免れ' (manukare) means 'to escape from' or 'to be spared', which is incorrect as they are experiencing hunger. '忍び' (shinobi) from '忍ぶ' can also mean 'to endure', but '凌ぐ' is more commonly used for temporary hardships like hunger or weather.