Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala? Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

Ilmenite, zircon and sillimanite (plus monazite, rutile, garnet).

Statement by statement

1. ✓ YES Ilmenite (titanium ore).

2. ✓ YES Zircon.

3. ✓ YES Sillimanite.

4. ✗ NO Tungsten is not in Kerala’s beach sands.

The idea

Beach sands are a sorted mixture of mineral grains, not a single ore. Dense minerals that resist weathering can collect together even when their industrial uses differ. Recognising the heavy-mineral family is more useful than treating every coastal grain as a metal ore.

Inland rocks weather → Rivers carry resistant grains → Grains reach beaches → Waves sort by density → Heavy minerals accumulate locally → Separation yields different useful minerals

Why the others are wrong

(a) Adds tungsten.

(c) Adds tungsten and drops ilmenite.

(d) Drops sillimanite.

Elimination technique

Tungsten does not belong to the Kerala heavy-mineral sand association tested here. Reject options (a) and (c); sillimanite’s inclusion then selects (b).

Also know

Rutile and ilmenite supply titanium; zircon supplies zirconium. Garnet is used as an abrasive, while sillimanite is used in heat-resistant products. Monazite adds rare earths and thorium to the same broad family, but requires separate handling.