A large number of impurities present in ore, such as sand, soil, etc., is called
Gangue
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Gangue.
Gangue refers to the unwanted or impure materials present in ore, such as sand, soil, and other minerals, which must be separated during the extraction of metals. These impurities reduce the quality of the metal extracted, and processes like frosting, flotation, or magnetic separation are used to remove them.
Other Options Explained:
Hardness of ore: Refers to the resistance of ore to physical wear, not impurities.
Spongy: Refers to the texture of materials, not impurities.
Wrought: Describes metals that have been shaped by hammering or rolling, not impurities.