During the formation of NaCl, element X is oxidised and element Y is reduced. Then elements X and Y are respectively :
Characteristics of a Sodium Chloride. Sodium chloride is formed when sodium atoms interact with chlorine atoms. When this occurs, sodium will donate an electron (which is a negatively-charged particle) to chlorine. This makes sodium slightly positive and chlorine slightly negative. Thus sodium is reduced in this process as it donates the electron and chlorine is oxidised as it gains the electron.