Answer: 23 cm²
Explanation:
Since the squares are each 1 cm × 1 cm, you can technically count all the shaded squares, but it is good to do it mathematically.
We can separate this shape into 1 parts. The top part sticking up is a square and the bottom, a rectangle. We find the area for both parts and add them together.
Square:
3 cm × 3 cm = 9 cm²
Rectangle:
2 cm × 7 cm = 14 cm²
Total:
9 cm² + 14 cm² = 23 cm²