Which statement best describes the shape of the earth?

The statement that the earth is an oblate ellipsoid, which closely approximates a sphere, is correct. This shape means that the earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator due to its rotation. The oblate ellipsoid model reflects the actual dimensions of the Earth more accurately than a perfect sphere, which is important for various applications in cartography, geodesy, and navigation.

Understanding this shape is crucial for accurately representing Earth's surface and for calculating distances, areas, and other geographic measurements. The bulging at the equator and flattening at the poles also have implications for how gravity varies across the surface of the Earth, affecting everything from satellite orbits to climate models.