A SQL SELECT query polls the _____ for specific information.

The correct choice, which indicates that a SQL SELECT query polls the database for specific information, highlights the fundamental role of a database in managing and querying data. A database is a structured collection of data, typically organized in tables, which can be accessed or manipulated using SQL (Structured Query Language).

When a SQL SELECT query is executed, it retrieves data according to specified criteria from one or more tables within the database. This process allows users to extract particular records, columns, or computations based on their needs. The database serves as the source where the data resides, making it the primary component utilized in executing SQL queries.

In contrast, other options such as chart, report, and schema do not directly relate to the action of polling specific information through a SQL query. A chart typically presents visual data representation, a report summarizes or details data findings and analysis, and a schema refers to the organizational structure of the database itself, outlining how tables relate to each other. These components may interact with or derive from the database but do not function as the source of information that a SQL query directly engages with.