There are different methods to electrically charge an object. Which method involves charging a conductor by bringing it near another object without the objects touching.

Answer 1

The method you're referring to is called induction. In electrostatic induction, a charged object is brought near a neutral conductor without direct contact. The presence of the charged object causes the charges within the conductor to rearrange themselves: opposite charges are attracted toward the side of the conductor nearest to the charged object, while like charges are repelled to the far side. If the conductor is then grounded (usually temporarily), some of the like charges can leave the conductor, resulting in the conductor becoming charged when the grounding is removed and the charged object is taken away.