Final answer:
Paper, wood shavings, straw, and fabric are examples of organic materials because they are derived from living organisms and contain carbon, typically bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paper, wood shavings, straw, and fabric are examples of organic materials. In chemistry, the category of organic compounds primarily includes natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon, typically bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. Organic materials are often associated with substances derived from living organisms or composed of biomolecules such as cellulose, proteins, or starches which are naturally occurring polymers.
In contrast, inorganic materials are those that are not based on carbon and hydrogen structures, such as metals, minerals, and gases like carbon dioxide. Materials like carbonates and cyanides, along with simple oxides such as CO and CO₂, are considered inorganic. Therefore, since paper, wood shavings, straw, and fabric originate from plant or animal matter, they are classified as organic materials, not inorganic.