Final answer:
A block of material next to a magnet will become magnetized if it is ferromagnetic, with its atomic magnetic poles aligning along the magnet's field lines, essentially turning it into a secondary magnet unless it is a material that is capable of shielding magnetic fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a block of material is placed next to a magnet, it may experience a variety of possible interactions depending on the material's properties. If the block is made of a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, it will become magnetized in the presence of the magnetic field. The magnetic poles of individual atoms within the block may become aligned with the magnetic field, effectively turning the block into a magnet itself with its own north and south poles.
Furthermore, if one were to sprinkle iron filings on top of a paper covering the magnet, as suggested by one of the examples provided, you would see the magnetic field directional lines that indicate the direction and magnitude of the magnet's influence. These iron filings align themselves along the magnetic field lines, illustrating the shape of the field around the magnet.
A noteworthy point is that, similar to how one wire cannot block the magnetic field of another wire, a block of material cannot block the magnetic field from a magnet unless it is a material that is capable of shielding magnetic fields, which is a complex and typically industrial process.