Which tool is used to select and highlight areas within the timeline?

The Selection tool is essential for manipulating and organizing clips within the timeline in video editing software. It allows users to click on a clip, select it, and perform various actions, such as moving it, trimming its duration, or changing its position within the timeline. This tool is the primary instrument that provides the capability to highlight specific areas, making it crucial for editing tasks like adjusting the timing of a sequence or assembling clips in a desired order.

The other tools mentioned serve different purposes. The Slide tool is designed for moving clips along the timeline while adjusting the clips adjacent to them, which is useful for maintaining synchronization but does not specifically highlight areas. The Slip tool enables users to change the in and out points of a clip while keeping it in the same position on the timeline, which does not focus on selecting or highlighting. The Pen tool is primarily used for drawing or creating keyframes, making it more suitable for precise adjustments rather than for selecting clips. Thus, the Selection tool stands out as the most appropriate tool for selecting and highlighting areas within the timeline.