How is a hot tea made according to the instructions?

The correct answer involves placing a tea bag in the cup and then filling it with hot water. This method is fundamental to making hot tea as it allows the tea bag to steep in the hot water, which extracts the flavors, aroma, and beneficial compounds from the tea leaves. The heat helps in dissolving the flavors more effectively than cold water would, resulting in a well-brewed cup of tea.

The other options do not follow the standard process for making hot tea. Filling a cup with ice before adding hot water would not result in hot tea, as the ice would rapidly cool the water. Adding honey without a tea bag misses the essential step of infusing the tea itself. Lastly, adding milk before the water can lead to improper mixing and may hinder the brewing process, as the tea's full flavor is best experienced when brewed first.