Final answer:
William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, died in 1596 when he was 11. He was one of Shakespeare's twins, the other being Judith. No direct descendants of Shakespeare survive today.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Shakespeare's twins were Judith and Hamnet. Among the twins, it was Hamnet who died, and this tragic event occurred in the year 1596. Hamnet passed away at the age of 11, which would place the correct answer to the question as option (b). Shakespeare's legacy continued through his daughters, Susanna and Judith. Susanna married Dr. John Hall and gave birth to Shakespeare's first grandchild, Elizabeth, in 1608. Judith married Thomas Quiney, but ultimately, the Shakespeare family line ended as there were no direct descendants to carry it forward.