The correct answer is D) softer. The purpose of annealing any metal is to make the metal softer. Annealing is a heat treatment process that involves heating the metal to a specific temperature, holding it at that temperature for a period of time, and then slowly cooling it. This process reduces the internal stresses within the metal, allowing the crystalline structure to become more organized and uniform, resulting in a softer and more malleable material. The other answer choices are incorrect because toughening, hardening, and smoothing the metal are not the primary purposes of the annealing process. Annealing is specifically used to soften the metal, making it more pliable and easier to work with.