Which of the following is an example of sedimentary rock?

Shale is correctly identified as an example of sedimentary rock because it forms from the compaction of mineral and organic particles, primarily clay and silt, over time. This process occurs in low-energy environments such as river deltas, lakes, and deep ocean floors where fine particles can settle and accumulate. The layers of sediment build up and, under pressure, lithify into shale.

In contrast, granite is an igneous rock formed from the crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface. Basalt is also an igneous rock created from the rapid cooling and solidification of lava at the surface, typically in volcanic environments. Gneiss, on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock that results from the alteration of pre-existing rocks (either igneous or sedimentary) under heat and pressure, leading to the formation of distinct banding or foliation. Each of these rocks has a different formation process that categorizes them distinctly from sedimentary rock, making shale the appropriate choice in this context.