Question

Assertion (A): Fossils provide direct evidence for evolution.

Reason (R): Fossils help to trace evolutionary relationships among organisms over time.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation for Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

Fossils record organisms of past ages in order, so they directly show change and relationships. Both statements are true and R explains A.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand the two statements:
A fossil is the preserved remains or impression of an organism that lived in the past.
The assertion says fossils give direct evidence for evolution. The reason says fossils help trace relationships over time.

Step 2: Check the Assertion (A):
Fossils are found in sedimentary rock layers of different ages.
They show that life forms of earlier ages differed from those living today. This is direct proof that organisms changed with time.
So (A) is TRUE.

Step 3: Check the Reason (R):
Fossils in older layers can be compared with those in younger layers and with living forms.
The comparison shows how groups changed and how they are related. For example, fossil horses show a gradual change in size and toe number.
So (R) is TRUE.

Step 4: Decide if R explains A:
Fossils are direct evidence precisely because they let us follow the sequence of change and the links among organisms through time.
So (R) is the correct explanation of (A). Option (1) is right.
Option (2) is wrong because R does explain A. Option (3) is wrong because R is not false. Option (4) is wrong because A is not false.

Final Answer:
Both statements are true and the reason explains the assertion. This is option (1). \[ \boxed{\text{Option (1)}} \]