Oceanography — Tidal Types by Gravitational Alignment When the Moon and the Sun pull on the Earth in (roughly) the same line, producing the strongest tidal range, the resulting tide is called:

Introduction / Context:
Tides result from the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun acting on Earth’s oceans. The relative positions of these bodies determine the size of the tidal range (difference between high and low tide). Understanding “spring” versus “neap” tides is a staple of school-level oceanography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Same direction/line” means syzygy: new moon or full moon alignments.
• Tidal range is largest during syzygy and smallest during quadrature (first/last quarter).
• Terminology focuses on types of tides, not individual highs/lows.

Concept / Approach:
During new and full moons, lunar and solar tidal forces reinforce each other, yielding the maximum tidal range called a spring tide (unrelated to the season). During first and last quarter phases, the forces partially cancel, giving minimum range called neap tide. “Ebb tide” refers to the falling stage of the tide, and “high tide” is simply the peak water level, not a tidal type by alignment.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Tidal charts and textbooks show spring tides around new/full moons and neap tides around first/last quarter.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ebb tide: The outgoing/falling tide, not a tidal type by alignment.
• High tide: A state, not a category of tidal range.
• Neap tide: Occurs at quadrature with the smallest range.

Common Pitfalls:
Thinking “spring” refers to the season. The term derives from “springing forth,” meaning a large range.

Final Answer:
spring tide