Certify Teacher Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Comprehensive Guide to Exam Success!

The term 'sphere' is the most appropriate mathematical term for the developmental vocabulary 'ball.' In geometry, a sphere is defined as a perfectly round three-dimensional shape where every point on its surface is equidistant from a central point. This accurately describes a ball, which is commonly understood to have a uniform curvature and represent a solid form with no edges or vertices.

While 'circle' refers to a two-dimensional shape and typically describes the outline of a ball from a top-down perspective, it does not encompass the full three-dimensional nature of a ball. An 'oval' also pertains to a two-dimensional shape but suggests an elongated form that doesn't match the symmetrical roundness of a ball. The term 'cube,' on the other hand, refers to a three-dimensional shape that has flat, square faces and sharp edges, which starkly contrasts with the roundness of a ball. Thus, 'sphere' is the correct term that aligns with the characteristics of a ball in three-dimensional space.