Step 1: Statement (A) is correct: the datum surface in levelling is simply an assumed or arbitrary reference surface used for measuring and comparing elevations.
Step 2: Statement (B) is correct: this is the standard definition of the line of collimation, the line from the intersection of the cross hairs through the optical centre of the object glass, extended forward.
Step 3: Statement (D) is correct: the height of instrument (HI) is defined as the reduced level of the plane of collimation once the instrument is levelled.
Step 4: Statement (C) is incorrect: the first staff reading taken from an instrument position is the back sight, not the foresight; the foresight is the last reading taken from that position before the instrument is shifted.
Step 5: Statement (E) is incorrect: a change point is where a foresight from one instrument position and a back sight from the next position are both taken, not a back sight and an intermediate sight.
So the correct statements are (A), (B) and (D) only, option 1.