1. **State the problem:** We need to find the area of a trapezoid with the following dimensions: top base $=5$ m, bottom base $=11$ m, and height $=4$ m. 2. **Formula for the area of a trapezoid:** $$\text{Area} = \frac{(\text{Base}_1 + \text{Base}_2)}{2} \times \text{Height}$$ where $\text{Base}_1$ and $\text{Base}_2$ are the lengths of the two parallel sides, and Height is the perpendicular distance between them. 3. **Apply the values:** $$\text{Area} = \frac{(5 + 11)}{2} \times 4$$ 4. **Simplify inside the parentheses:** $$\text{Area} = \frac{16}{2} \times 4$$ 5. **Divide:** $$\text{Area} = 8 \times 4$$ 6. **Multiply:** $$\text{Area} = 32$$ 7. **Conclusion:** The area of the trapezoid is $32$ square meters.