Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Properties of Aluminium: Aluminium combines the strength of metals like iron with extreme lightness, good conductivity, and great malleability. This makes it highly versatile across industries.

Refining and Smelting: Aluminium is not found in pure form. It is extracted from bauxite, a clay-like ore formed by decomposition of aluminium silicate-rich rocks. Bauxite must first be refined to obtain alumina, which is then smelted to produce usable aluminium metal.

Energy Requirements: Since the process involves multiple stages — refining and smelting — aluminium production is energy-intensive. As ore deposits deplete, extraction from greater depths further increases costs and energy demands.

Source: Minerals and Energy Resources, Chapter 5 — Non-Ferrous Minerals (Bauxite)

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• The question has three parts: properties, reason for processing, and energy impact — address all three.
• The textbook only mentions properties (strength, lightness, conductivity, malleability) and the refining/smelting process. The energy angle is inferred from the Conservation section ("increasing costs as mineral extraction comes from greater depths").
• Do not add outside chemistry (Bayer process, Hall-Héroult, etc.) — stick to what the passage states.
• Examiners award marks for: naming correct properties, explaining bauxite → alumina → aluminium, and linking multi-stage processing to high energy use.