Sampling is a technique used in statistics to gather data from a population. It involves selecting a subset of individuals or items from the population to represent the entire population. This allows for more efficient data collection and analysis, as it is often impractical or impossible to collect data from every individual or item in a population.

There are different methods of sampling, and one of them is cluster sampling. Cluster sampling is a specific type of sampling technique where the population is divided into groups or clusters, and then a subset of clusters is selected for the study. Within each selected cluster, all individuals or items are included in the sample. This is different from other sampling methods where individual elements are directly selected for inclusion in the sample.

Cluster sampling is similar to area sampling, which is the correct answer to the given question. Area sampling is a method where the population is divided into different geographical areas or regions, and then a subset of these areas is selected for the study. Within each selected area, all individuals or items are included in the sample. This is similar to cluster sampling, where the population is divided into clusters and all individuals or items within the selected clusters are included in the sample.

Explanation:
- Sampling is a technique used to gather data from a population.
- Cluster sampling is a specific type of sampling technique.
- Cluster sampling involves dividing the population into clusters and selecting a subset of clusters for the study.
- All individuals or items within the selected clusters are included in the sample.
- Area sampling is a method where the population is divided into geographical areas or regions.
- Within each selected area, all individuals or items are included in the sample.
- Cluster sampling and area sampling are similar because they both involve dividing the population into groups or areas and selecting a subset of these groups or areas for the study.
- The correct answer to the given question is option C, as area sampling is similar to cluster sampling.