Which of the following best describes the term “ductility” in materials?

Ductility refers specifically to a material's ability to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture or fracture. This property is most commonly observed in metals, allowing them to be drawn into wires without breaking. When a ductile material is subjected to tensile stress, it can stretch and deform while maintaining its structural integrity over a range of strains.

In contrast, the other options describe different characteristics of materials. Conductivity relates to electrical properties, resistance to deformation pertains to stiffness or rigidity, and the ability to absorb shock focuses on toughness, which is a different measure of material performance. Therefore, the definition of ductility as the ability to be drawn into wires perfectly captures the essence of how this property manifests in materials.