Evaluating Metal Extraction Statements

Steps:

• Assess statement 1: Aluminium extraction uses electrolysis of Al₂O₃ in molten cryolite to lower melting point and conductivity, confirming accuracy.
• Assess statement 2: Silver's low reactivity means it's often native or easily leached, not difficult to extract, so statement is false.
• Assess statement 3: Iron from Fe₂O₃ (haematite) involves carbon reduction in blast furnace: Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂, verifying correctness.
• Determine correct options: Statements 1 and 3 are true, matching choice B.

Why B is correct:

• B selects 1 and 3, aligning with established extraction processes: electrolysis for reactive aluminium and reduction for moderately reactive iron.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes false statement 2 on silver's extraction difficulty.
• C excludes true statement 1 on aluminium electrolysis.
• D includes false statement 2.

Final answer: B