In keyboard and internet terminology, the symbol that Germans call the spider monkey and Italians call the snail is which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests familiarity with a fun cultural fact about computer keyboard symbols. Different languages sometimes have colourful nicknames for the same character. Knowing that the at sign is given unusual names such as spider monkey or snail in some European languages can both enrich your general knowledge and help you recognise the symbol being discussed.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Germans are said to call the symbol spider monkey.
• Italians are said to call the same symbol the snail.
• Options include several common keyboard symbols: plus, at sign, dollar, hash and ampersand.
• We assume the question refers to the symbol most closely associated with email addresses.

Concept / Approach:
The symbol at is widely used in email addresses, for example user@example.com. Its shape, a small circle with a tail curling around it, is sometimes compared to an animal or snail in different languages. In German, one nickname resembles spider monkey, and in Italian, the curl of the symbol looks like a snail shell. Therefore, the symbol that matches these nicknames is the at sign, written as @. The other listed symbols do not have this particular set of nicknames in these languages.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Think of which keyboard symbol is central to email addresses and is visually distinctive. Step 2: The at sign @ appears between the username and domain name in almost every email address, for example name@mail.com. Step 3: Its curled shape can be compared to a snail with a shell and tail, which explains the Italian nickname. Step 4: In German, the same sign has nicknames related to animals such as spider monkey, again inspired by its shape. Step 5: The plus sign + is a simple cross and does not resemble a snail or monkey. Step 6: The dollar sign $, hash sign # and ampersand & all have different shapes and are not commonly associated with spider monkey or snail nicknames. Step 7: Therefore, the symbol described in the question is the at sign @.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you search for trivia about the at symbol in different languages, you will find a wide range of nicknames based on animals and objects, including monkey, snail and mouse. These nicknames arise because the sign was relatively rare before email became common, so different cultures invented imaginative names for it. This confirms that the question is referring to the at symbol rather than any other keyboard character.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The plus sign + is usually called plus in most languages and has a very simple shape. The dollar sign $ is associated with currency and is usually named after the dollar rather than an animal. The hash sign # is called hash, pound or number sign and does not match the described nicknames. The ampersand & represents the word and and has its own name unrelated to spider monkey or snail. None of these alternative symbols has the cross cultural nicknames cited in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the question uses a cultural reference, some students may overthink the answer and doubt the obvious connection to email addresses. A simple way to avoid confusion is to visualise each symbol and see which one could resemble a small animal curled into a shape. The spiral of the at sign stands out immediately. Remember also that exam setters often choose well known internet related symbols when asking such trivia questions.

Final Answer:
The symbol that Germans call the spider monkey and Italians call the snail is the @ sign, also known as the at symbol.