Which grid correctly replaces the question mark?

Answer reasoning: determine which grid continues the sequence.

• Count rule: Each successive grid in the sequence contains exactly one more black circle than the previous grid.

• Rotation rule: The positions of all black circles shift one quarter turn (90°) clockwise from one cell to the next.

• Order: Read the grids left to right on the top row, then left to right on the bottom row to follow the sequence.

Apply the rules to the cell immediately before the missing one:

• Step 1: Add one black circle to the configuration of the preceding cell (this increases the total black circles by one).

• Step 2: Rotate the positions of the black circles from that preceding cell by 90° clockwise to place them in the new cell.

Therefore, the correct choice is the grid that (1) has one more black circle than the previous grid and (2) shows the previous black-circle pattern rotated a quarter turn clockwise. Other candidate grids fail because they either have the wrong number of black circles or their black circles are not the required 90° clockwise rotation of the prior configuration.