• Assertion A: Physical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces, increasing the surface area available for chemical weathering. Hence, physical weathering accelerates chemical weathering.
• Reason R: As the size of an object decreases, its surface area relative to its volume increases, providing more area for chemical reactions to occur.

Since the increased surface area directly explains why physical weathering accelerates chemical weathering, R is the correct explanation of A.

• Dusky seaside sparrow: This bird species, native to the marshes of Florida, was declared extinct in 1990 due to habitat loss and human activities.
• Olive ridley sea turtle, Dugong, and Monarch butterfly are not extinct; however, they are considered vulnerable, endangered, or threatened due to environmental challenges and human activities.

• About 30% of the solar radiation that reaches Earth is reflected back into space by clouds, the atmosphere, and surfaces like snow and ice.
• The remaining 70% is absorbed by the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans. This absorbed energy drives the hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles, produces Earth's climate, and powers life through processes like photosynthesis.

The Makrana region in Rajasthan, India, is globally renowned for its high-quality white marble. This marble has been used in iconic structures such as the Taj Mahal and various temples and monuments worldwide.

• Grasshopper (D - 1st trophic level): Grasshoppers are primary consumers as they feed directly on plants (producers).
• Snake (A - 3rd trophic level): Snakes are secondary or tertiary consumers as they prey on organisms like frogs or rodents.
• Frog (B - 2nd trophic level): Frogs are secondary consumers, feeding on insects (primary consumers).
• Hawk (C - 4th trophic level): Hawks are apex predators at the top of the food chain, feeding on snakes or other secondary/tertiary consumers.