Question

which statement best describes how waves carry energy?
energy moves from one place to another through the wave.
energy increases as it moves through the wave.
energy is completely consumed by the beginning of the wave.
energy builds through the wave and is released at the end.

Explanation:

Waves are a means of energy transfer. In a wave, energy is transported from one location to another. For example, in a water wave, the water itself does not move long - distances (except for some minor orbital motion in deep - water waves), but the energy of the wave (like the energy from a storm in the ocean) can travel across large bodies of water.
The energy of a wave does not increase as it moves through the wave (unless there is an external energy source constantly adding energy, which is not the general case for wave propagation). Also, energy is not completely consumed at the beginning of the wave. And energy is not built through the wave and then released at the end in the sense that it is a continuous transfer, not a process of building up and then sudden release (except in some very specific, non - general wave - related phenomena).

Answer:

Energy moves from one place to another through the wave.