The solids that are electrical conductors, malleable and ductile are:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Metallic solids
Free electrons carry the current in a metal, and because the electron sea holds the ions without fixed directional bonds, layers of ions can slide over one another without breaking the crystal: metals are conductors, malleable and ductile.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Molecular solids — Incorrect. They are soft insulators held by weak intermolecular forces.
Option (2) Ionic solids — Incorrect. They conduct only when molten or dissolved, and they are hard and brittle.
Option (4) Covalent solids — Incorrect. Network solids such as diamond are very hard and brittle and mostly insulators (graphite is the exception).
Note: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic is not there in the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it is also out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.
NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Metallic Solids – “Metals are orderly collection of positive ions surrounded by and held together by a sea of free electrons. These electrons are mobile and are evenly spread out throughout the crystal. … These free and mobile electrons are responsible for high electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. … Metals are highly malleable and ductile.”