A

Step 1: Understand the concept of neutral points. Neutral points are locations where the magnetic field due to a magnet is exactly canceled by the earth's magnetic field.
Step 2: In this case, a bar magnet is placed along the east-west direction.
Step 3: The magnetic field lines of a bar magnet spread out from its north pole to south pole. Therefore, there are points around the magnet where the earth's magnetic field (which has a north and south component) and the magnet's field can cancel each other.
Step 4: When the bar magnet is positioned in the magnetic field of the earth, we can expect two neutral points:

• One point on the axis of the magnet towards the north pole (away from the magnet), where the earth's field cancels the magnet's field.
• Another point on the axis of the magnet towards the south pole (again, away from the magnet), where this cancellation occurs as well.

Conclusion: Therefore, there are a total of 2 neutral points.
Thus, the correct answer is A.