Final answer:
A network is a system of interconnected people and/or things, and the term can include social networks within a community or society. A community is a group of people with shared interests or who live in the same place, while society refers to people sharing a common culture in a definable area.
Step-by-step explanation:
A network is a system of interconnected people and/or things. It can exist in person or over the internet. The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question is a) network. This term describes the linked structures that can include various entities like computers, individuals, organizations, or even communities that share resources, information, or support.
Within social studies, the concept of network can be broadened to include social networks that consist of individuals or organizations that interact based on shared interests, purposes, or values. A community can often be a part of such a network, characterized by the grouping of people who may live in the same area or who share a common interest.
A community aligns with definitions 2a and 2b since it refers to a group of people with shared interests and values, and a group of people who live in the same place, respectively. It is a subset of society, which is a broader term encompassing people living in a definable community and sharing a common culture.