To solve the equation \(2x - 5 = -21\), the best two steps are:
Step 1: Add 5 to both sides of the equation.
This gives:
\[ 2x = -21 + 5 \]
\[ 2x = -16 \]
Step 2: Divide both sides by 2.
This gives:
\[ x = \frac{-16}{2} \]
\[ x = -8 \]
So the solution is \( x = -8 \).