ACT Reading Exam Prep

Category - Palladium Mining

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for “white gold” jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world’s palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.

Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth’s surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth’s crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana’s Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.

Why do automobile manufacturers use palladium?
  1. In the construction of catalytic converters.
  2. To form into sheets, or into precise surgical instruments.
  3. To create white gold by mixing it with gold.
  4. To mix with silver, platinum and other precious metals to create a new alloy.
Explanation
Answer [A]: Automobile manufacturers use palladium in the construction of catalytic converters. While palladium can be formed into sheets, and is used in the production of surgical instruments, the passage does not associate these activities with car manufacture. Palladium is mixed with other metals to make white gold, but that is not a use associated with car manufacturers.
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