Answer
Please see image. Silicon has the same number of unpaired outer shell electrons as carbon (4), and could, thus, for the same number and kinds of bonds, at least in theory. In contrast, neon has no unpaired electrons to form bonds, and aluminum has only one.
Work Step by Step
The key here is to see that the chemistry of an element is determined by unpaired outer shell electrons forming bonds, and to look up that number for each of the elements to be discussed.
