Which statement about ferrous metals is true?

• A. They are non-metallic.
• B. They contain little iron and do not rust easily.
• C. They are not magnetic.
• D. They contain lots of iron, rust easily when exposed to moisture, and are magnetic.

Answer: (D)

Ferrous metals are metals that contain iron, and that iron gives them two key traits: magnetism and a tendency to rust when exposed to moisture and oxygen. So the statement that they contain lots of iron, rust easily in moisture, and are magnetic is accurate for ferrous metals in general. The other options conflict with these facts: they’re not non-metallic, they do contain iron and can rust, and they are magnetic, not non-magnetic. (Note that some alloys like stainless steel resist rust, but the basic property of ferrous metals being iron-containing and magnetic still applies.)