Final answer:
The net of a cylinder consists of 1 rectangle and 2 circles, representing the sides and bases when unfolded into a two-dimensional shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most precise description for the net of a cylinder is (A) 1 rectangle and 2 circles. A net is a two-dimensional shape that can be folded into a three-dimensional object. For a cylinder, the net consists of a rectangle that forms the cylindrical surface and two circles that form the top and bottom bases of the cylinder. To visualize this, imagine unwrapping a paper towel roll; the body of the roll would lay out flat as a rectangle, while the ends would be circles. When considering fitting a circle within a square, the diameter of the circle is equal to the side length of the square (a = 2r). Thus, the perimeter and area of the circle would be less than that of the square the circle fits within.