Shadows and eclipses form because light travels on a straight line, this is exactly what rectilinear propagation of light means. As light travels on a straight line, opaque objects cause shadows to form on the other side, even as opaque celestial bodies cause eclipses.

Now for the right answer to the above question:

Option A is incorrect. refraction involves change in direction as light changes medium of travel, this is not the cause of shadows and eclipses.
Option B is incorrect. reflection of light is not the cause of shadows and eclipses.
C is incorrect. diffraction of light involves bending of light as it passes through a medium.
D is the correct answer. Light travels in a straight line.

KEY-POINTS…

You may please note these/this:

Rectilinear propagation of light is responsible for the formation of shadows and eclipses by bodies positioned along the path of its travel.
When light rays from the sun is blocked from reaching the earth, an eclipse has occurred.
When light rays from a light source is blocked by a body, we have a shadow.

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/ culled from 2018 JAMB-UTME physics question 14 /

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