Which of the following materials is created by shaping and firing nonmetallic minerals?

The correct answer is ceramics because ceramics are materials that are produced by shaping and then firing nonmetallic minerals, typically at high temperatures. This process transforms the raw materials into a rigid, strong structure through a combination of heat and sometimes pressure. Common examples of ceramics include porcelain, bricks, tiles, and glass, all of which demonstrate advantageous properties such as hardness, high temperature resistance, and low electrical conductivity.

In contrast, plastics are derived from synthetic or natural organic compounds and are not made through firing processes. Composites are combinations of two or more different materials, often including polymers, metals, or ceramics, and rely on the properties of their constituents rather than being singularly formed through firing. Metals are generally processed by melting and casting or mechanical shaping rather than by firing nonmetallic minerals, making ceramics distinct in their formation and characteristics.