Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is formed through the sharing of electrons between carbon and oxygen atoms. Carbon has four valence electrons and can form four covalent bonds, while each oxygen atom has six valence electrons and typically forms two covalent bonds to achieve a full octet.
In CO₂, carbon forms two double covalent bonds with two oxygen atoms. Thus, there are a total of four covalent bonds in CO₂.
The correct response is: four covalent bonds.