What groupings on the periodic table are made up of elements that react similarly?

In some reactions, one of the products of the two reactions may be common(means that for example you can get a same product by using two different chemical reaction).

Simplest example ever(given to grade 6 kids) :

-NaOH + HCl ----> NaCl (Salt) + H2O (Stomach inflamation base displacement with stomach acid)

-H2CO3 -----> H2O + CO2 (Hydrogen Carbonate acid decomposes to water and carbon dixide)

You can get water by using both reactions.

(Ofcourse getting water isn't the purpose) :)