Basic Details
Word: Ductile
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Able to be stretched or shaped without breaking; flexible.
Synonyms: Flexible, malleable, pliable
Antonyms: Brittle, inflexible, rigid
Idioms and Phrases
- Pulling strings: To influence or manipulate a situation secretly. Example: "She was good at pulling strings, ensuring everything would go her way without others noticing."
- As tough as nails: Used to describe someone who is very strong or resilient. Example: "He is as tough as nails; his ductile nature allows him to adapt to any challenge."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Silver is a ductile metal that can be drawn into very thin wires.
Example 2: The artist used ductile materials to create sculptures that could bend and twist without breaking.
Example 3: In construction, ductile materials are preferred because they can withstand forces without shattering.
Fun Fact
Ductility is a property mainly found in metals. The term comes from the Latin word "ductilis," which means "able to be led or drawn." This property helps in shaping metals into wires or sheets.
Famous Quote
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "ductile" mean?
a) Unable to change
b) Able to be shaped without breaking
c) Hard and stiff
d) Very small
Answer: b) Able to be shaped without breaking
2. Which of these is a synonym of "ductile"?
a) Brittle
b) Rigid
c) Flexible
d) Stiff
Answer: c) Flexible
3. Which word is an antonym of "ductile"?
a) Malleable
b) Pliable
c) Brittle
d) Adaptable
Answer: c) Brittle
4. Which sentence uses "ductile" correctly?
a) The ductile metal broke easily under pressure.
b) The ductile artist painted a beautiful landscape.
c) The ductile material was shaped into a thin wire without breaking.
d) The ductile tree refused to bend in the wind.
Answer: c) The ductile material was shaped into a thin wire without breaking.
5. In which context could you use the idiom "pulling strings"?
a) To describe a flexible object
b) To talk about influencing a situation covertly
c) To refer to stretchy materials
d) To discuss rigid structures
Answer: b) To talk about influencing a situation covertly
