Final answer:
Metalloids, occupying the space along the stair-step line on the periodic table, share properties with nonmetals, such as being poor conductors of heat and electricity and increasing conductivity with temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metalloids share several properties with nonmetals. One of the key properties they share is that both metalloids and nonmetals are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity compared to metals. Nonmetals themselves may appear dull and may be brittle when in the solid state. Metalloids, also known as semimetals, exhibit these nonmetallic characteristics but to a lesser extent. They possess moderate electrical and heat conductivity, which can increase with temperature, relative to nonmetals. Elements known as metalloids are positioned along the stair-step line on the periodic table, excluding aluminum and polonium, which, despite their position, are classified as metals. These metalloids have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals, and they include elements such as silicon and germanium, which are important for their semiconducting properties used in electronic devices.