In the grid below, shade one quarter of the squares so that the grid has exactly two lines of symmetry. Shade complete squares only. Which of the following is the correct shading?

The grid has 4 rows and 4 columns, making a total of 16 squares. The question requires shading **one quarter** of the squares. Number of squares to shade = (1/4) * 16 = 4 squares. The second condition is that the final pattern must have **exactly two lines of symmetry**. Let's examine the options: - **Option A:** Four squares are shaded. If we draw a vertical line down the center, the left side is a mirror image of the right side. If we draw a horizontal line across the center, the top is a mirror image of the bottom. Diagonal lines do not work. This pattern has **exactly two** lines of symmetry. - **Option B:** Four squares are shaded. There are no lines of symmetry (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). It has rotational symmetry, but not line symmetry. - **Option C:** Four squares are shaded (the corners). This pattern is symmetrical about the vertical center line, the horizontal center line, and both diagonal lines. It has **four** lines of symmetry. - **Option D:** Four squares are shaded (the top row). This pattern has a vertical line of symmetry down the center. It does not have a horizontal line of symmetry. It has **one** line of symmetry. Therefore, the only pattern that meets all the conditions is **Option A**.